Dental Patient Aftercare – Ramsey, NJ

General Guidance

For 24 hours, do not chew hard, sticky, or chewy foods that might put stress on new dental work. Hard or sticky candies and aggressive chewing is liable to loosen sensitive restoration work or fresh dental work. Please take care to follow the explicit instructions from Dr. Vahid and his staff. They have your best interests at heart and their suggestions will keep you comfortable.

If you do experience pain or find you are having a dental emergency, please call our dental office immediately so we can recommend the best course of treatment. Of course, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and proceed to the nearest hospital.

Dental Crown and Bridge Aftercare

Dental crowns and bridges often take successive office visits to complete, and before and after each one, Dr. Vahid and his associates will inform you of what to expect. Tenderness and sensitivity with these procedures are common for a couple of days after treatment, but if it lasts longer than that or becomes especially troublesome, please contact our office.

If you had anesthesia, please try not to eat, chew, or bite until the numbness has dissipated. If you have a temporary dental appliance or piece, avoid hard and crunchy foods. Instead, stick with soft, easy-to-chew foods. If temporary restorations become loose or damaged, call Dr. Vahid immediately.

After the installation of your final restoration, avoid challenging foods for about 24 hours so that dental adhesives can fully adhere. Do not be alarmed by mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods for a few weeks. If the feeling persists for more than six weeks, please contact Dr. Vahid’s office.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Fillings Aftercare

Numbness can cause patients to cause inadvertent damage to soft tissue by biting or chewing. Allow the numbness to wear off – do not eat or chew until you have regained feeling. Avoid hard-to-chew foods for 24 hours.

Do not be alarmed by mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods. If the feeling persists for more than a few days, please contact Dr. Vahid’s office.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Denture or Partial Aftercare

For a few days after receiving partials or dentures, you may experience discomfort. Often, it takes a few adjustments to achieve an optimal fit, so please be patient.

A simple trick to help your mouth adjust is to practice reading aloud with your dentures in for a few minutes every day. Conversely, remove them at night for at least six hours so that they can soak and also give your mouth time to rest. Brush your tongue, gums, and the roof of your mouth lightly after removal.

In fact, oral care is essential for a healthy mouth with dentures or partials. Brush your teeth and surrounding tissues after a snack or meal and floss once a day before bed or if you have dentures, clean them every day. Mouthwash is an effective rinsing aid and can help keep your mouth free from food particles.

Visit Dr. Vahid at least once a year for a denture or partial fit check.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Scaling and Root Planing Aftercare

Removal of plaque and tartar beneath the gumline is referred to as scaling and root planing therapy. These procedures are undertaken to improve the excessive depth of periodontal pockets, so the patient can floss and brush more effectively.

Do not chew, eat, or consume hot foods or beverages for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Also, avoid physical exercise, spicy food, and alcohol during this time. Do not smoke for at least 48 hours after the procedure. You will probably experience some oral bleeding but if it becomes excessive, please call Dr. Vahid.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil according to package instructions. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon in eight ounces of water) three times a day. Brush and floss gently after the soreness has dissipated. Take all medications that may have been prescribed for you as directed.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Root Canal Aftercare

For thirty minutes following your root canal, do not eat or drink anything, and do not explore your mouth with your tongue; the bonding agents used for your procedure must have time to set.

If you were given prescriptions, have them filled immediately and take Tylenol or Advil every six to eight hours for discomfort and possible swelling. If these over-the-counter medications do not alleviate your pain, call Dr. Vahid’s office.

An ice pack may help alleviate swelling around the affected area; take care not to apply it directly to the skin. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off approach for the next six to eight hours.

Once you can eat and drink again, take care not to eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods and to avoid very hot or cold beverages. The area may be more sensitive for some time, so be prudent as you recover.

You will need to return to the office within about one month to have your permanent appliance installed, so the time between the root canal and then should be one of care and caution.

Discomfort can last up to a few weeks following the procedure, so be careful and go slowly, erring on the side of caution. The more careful you are now, the better chance your mouth has to heal, and the shorter your recovery time will be overall.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Tooth Extraction Aftercare

After surgery, be sure to keep the gauze pad over the surgical area and apply pressure by biting down until the bleeding stops. While bleeding is normal, if you feel it is excessive, please contact Dr. Vahid. Oozing and red saliva are common for about an hour after the procedure as are swelling around the face, surgical sites, and sometimes, the eyes.

Swelling may not appear until the following day and may increase a few days after surgery. Minimize swelling with a cold compress applied near the extraction site on the face in an alternating pattern of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the next 36 hours. After this time, moist heat applied to the site may be more effective in the reduction of swelling.

Do not smoke, brush your teeth, suck on a straw, or consume alcohol or carbonated beverages 24 hours after the extraction.

The first days after surgery, consume a liquid and soft food diet that includes smoothies, yogurt, juice, and soup.

Avoid excessive activity the day after surgery and use caution as you return to your normal routine.

After the first day, rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 teaspoon per eight ounces of water) three times daily.

Any required sutures will dissolve in a week to ten days without further assistance.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction (or Third Molar) Aftercare

After surgery, be sure to keep the gauze pad over the surgical area and apply pressure by biting down until the bleeding stops. While bleeding is normal, if you feel it is excessive, please contact Dr. Vahid. Oozing and red saliva are common for about an hour after the procedure, as are swelling around the face, surgical sites, and sometimes, the eyes.

It is not uncommon to experience some dizziness as you get up after surgery and for a few days afterward. Sit up slowly and allow yourself time to adjust before walking.

Swelling may not appear until the following day and may increase a few days after surgery. Minimize swelling with a cold compress applied near the extraction site on the face in an alternating pattern of 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the next 36 hours. After this time, moist heat applied to the site may be more effective in the reduction of swelling.

Do not smoke, brush your teeth, suck on a straw, or consume alcohol or carbonated beverages 24 hours after the extraction.

The first days after surgery, consume a liquid and soft food diet that includes smoothies, yogurt, juice, and soup.

Avoid excessive activity the day after surgery and use caution as you return to your normal routine.

After the first day, rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 teaspoon per eight ounces of water) three times daily. Please do not use the irrigating syringe for approximately five days after surgery. After five days, fill it with warm water and salt and flush out the socket to remove any food particles or debris.

If you have been placed on pain medication other than over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil, do not drive, operate heavy equipment, or engage in an activity that can harm you or others due to grogginess.

A dry socket is a common and possible complication of a wisdom tooth extraction and is caused by a blood clot that becomes dislodged from the wall of the tooth socket. Symptoms include severe pain and throbbing at the surgical site, a warm chin, and adjacent teeth. If you have pain that does not respond to pain medication, this may be what you are experiencing. Please call Dr. Vahid if you suspect a dry socket.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Dental Implant Surgery / Dental Implant Aftercare

After surgery, be sure to keep the gauze pad over the surgical area and apply pressure by biting down until the bleeding stops. While bleeding is normal, if you feel it is excessive, please contact Dr. Vahid. Oozing and red saliva are common for about an hour after the procedure, as are swelling around the face, surgical sites, and sometimes, the eyes.

Do not chew, eat, or consume hot foods or beverages for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Also, avoid physical exercise, spicy food, and alcohol during this time. Do not smoke for at least 48 hours after the procedure. You will probably experience some oral bleeding, but if it becomes excessive, please call Dr. Vahid.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil according to package instructions. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon in eight ounces of water) three times a day. Brush and floss gently after the soreness has dissipated. Take all medications that may have been prescribed for you as directed.

Do not smoke, brush your teeth, suck on a straw, or consume alcohol or carbonated beverages 24 hours after the extraction.

The first days after surgery, consume a liquid and soft food diet that includes smoothies, yogurt, juice, and soup.

If you are still experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Soft Tissue Graft Aftercare

Take care not to disturb the affected area after your tissue graft. After surgery, be sure to keep the gauze pad over the surgical area and apply pressure by biting down until the bleeding stops. While bleeding is normal, if you feel it is excessive, please contact Dr. Vahid.

Use mouth rinses as prescribed, and take medication as indicated by Dr. Vahid and members of his team.

An ice pack may help alleviate swelling around the affected area; take care not to apply it directly to the skin. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off approach for the next six to eight hours.

Once you can eat and drink again, take care not to eat hard, crunchy, or sticky foods and avoid very hot or cold beverages. The area may be more sensitive for some time, so be prudent as you recover.  Drink plenty of water.

Avoid excessive activity the day after surgery and use caution as you return to your normal routine.

If you have a bandage, please leave it in place for the first 24 hours to ensure proper healing. Do not remove it, as it will come off when ready. Once the bandage is removed, you can begin cleaning the wound gently by using a Q-tip swab dipped in a mouth rinse.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Crown Lengthening Aftercare

Take care not to disturb the affected area after your crown lengthening procedure. Avoid forceful spitting or rinsing.

An ice pack may help alleviate swelling; take care not to apply it directly to the skin. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off approach for the next six to eight hours.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil according to package instructions. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon in eight ounces of water) three times a day. Brush and floss gently after the soreness has dissipated. Take all medications that may have been prescribed for you as directed.

Do not return to your normal routine for a few days and avoid strenuous activity.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Osseous Surgery Aftercare

After osseous (or pocket depth reduction) surgery, be sure to keep the gauze pad over the surgical area and apply pressure by biting down until the bleeding stops. While bleeding is normal, if you feel it is excessive, please contact Dr. Vahid. Oozing and red saliva are common for about an hour after the procedure, as are swelling around the face, surgical sites, and sometimes, the eyes.

An ice pack may help alleviate swelling around the affected area; take care not to apply it directly to the skin. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off approach for the next six to eight hours. After 24 hours, discontinue the ice pack and instead, use a warm pack and alternate it off and on for fifteen-minute intervals.

Avoid excessive activity the day after surgery and use caution as you return to your normal routine.

If you are experiencing pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.

Direct Sinus Lift Aftercare

You must refrain from blowing your nose for about four weeks after surgery. Do not hold your nose as you sneeze, and take all medicines, including decongestants, as prescribed.

Do not fly in a pressurized airplane or bear down when lifting. Also do not engage in scuba diving, play musical instruments that require blowing, or do anything else that increases oral or nasal pressure for at least a month after surgery.

Take special care to keep your mouth clean after surgery to aid the healing process and discourage infection. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon in eight ounces of water) three times a day.

Brush gently with a soft manual toothbrush the evening of your procedure and continue twice a day from there on. The first days after surgery, consume a liquid and soft food diet that includes smoothies, yogurt, juice, and soup. Drink plenty of fluids, and as you become more comfortable, gradually return to a normal diet.

An ice pack may help alleviate the normal swelling that may occur around the affected area during the first 48-72 hours after surgery. Use it for 20 minutes then remove it for 20 minutes, and so on.

Severe or persistent nasal congestion or pain is a problem, and you should notify Dr. Vahid immediately if you experience this.

If you are experiencing severe pain or have further questions, do not hesitate to call (201) 962-8452.