Toothache

Placing a little oil of cloves on the infected area can help ease the pain.

Sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache. It won't just go away, even if the pain temporarily subsides. The problem that is causing the pain will just get worse, as will the pain, and simple treatment may no longer be possible. At the first sign of a toothache, contact us.

Loose or Damaged Teeth

If tooth is traumatized and not loose, just watch it.

If the tooth is loose but in socket and not chipped, then give liquids only and see the dentist the next day to “splint” it.

If the tooth is chipped badly, see the dentist the next day.

If the tooth is knocked out:

If permanent teeth are knocked out, there is an excellent chance that they will survive if they are immediately placed back in the tooth socket and dental advice is sought straight away. Every minute the tooth is out of the socket, the less chance it has of surviving. The key is to act quickly, yet calmly, and follow these simple steps.

1. Handle the tooth carefully. Avoid touching the root of the tooth (the part of the tooth that was embedded in the gum) because it can be damaged easily. Handle only the chewing edge -- the crown portion of the tooth.

2. Rinse it but do not scrub. Rinse the tooth off with milk until most of the dirt is washed away.

3. Best is to put it into the socket and push in till it is in position. Make sure it's facing the right way. Don't try to force it into the socket. Try to replace the tooth in the socket, to the level of adjacent teeth. Bite down gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to help keep it in place. The surrounding teeth can be used as anchors. Care must be taken not to swallow the tooth.

4. If it doesn't go back into place easily and without pressure, put the tooth in a cup of milk and see the Dentist in the next 2 hours. (Tap water is not good for the tooth because the chlorine in water will damage the root.)

5. Next best is to keep it in saliva in the mouth or a cup and see the Dentist in 2 hours.

6. In any case, see the dentist as soon as possible

Post-Operative Instructions

After tooth extraction
1. Take any prescribed anti-biotic medication as directed. As soon as you leave the office, get any prescriptions filled and take as directed.

2. Fold gauze in quarters and place over extracted site. Apply pressure for 1 hour.  If bleeding does not stop after a few hours call our office.  (Slight bleeding or oozing might occur for several hours. This is acceptable.)

3. Do NOT smoke, drink through a straw or rinse your mouth for 24 hours, as this might dislodge clots which will form in the pockets. It is very important to maintain the clot for the first 24 hours after surgery.

4. Do not spit for 24 hours

5. Take pain medication in 1 hour, then as directed. You want pain medications in your system before the numbness wears off.

6. Maintain a liquid or soft diet for 24 hours.

7. After 24 hours, begin warm salt-water rinses 6-8 times a day. This helps heal tissue as well as helps reduce any nasty taste in your mouth.

After Crown & Bridge
1. Discomfort could be present after numbness is gone. Warm salt-water rinses and aspirin will relieve discomfort.

2. Floss and brush around temporary crown. Keep the area very clean.  When flossing, pull the floss through the contact points, NOT up and down. Pulling floss up and down could pull the temporary off.

3. It is advised that you not chew gum. Chewing gum may stick to the temporary crown and cause it to come off.

4. If temporary crown comes off or becomes lost, call our office. We want the area to be sealed so the tooth will not become sensitive. It is important that the temporary crown stays in position; therefore, if it comes off, call our office.

After Root Canal
1.   The anesthesia should start wearing off in the next 1-2 hours, although you may experience some numbness or tingling for the rest of the day. Please do not eat anything solid for 1-2 hours so that you will not accidentally bite your lip or tongue. This also gives the filling a chance to attain its initial hardness.

2. You can expect your tooth to feel a little tender or "touchy" for a few days. This is because the fibers that connect the tooth to the jawbone become irritated and inflamed during root canal treatment. I may or may not recommend that you take an anti-inflammatory medication, depending on your condition.

3. You may need antibiotics to prevent or eliminate an infection associated with the abscess. If so, you will be given a prescription. Be sure to follow the directions on the label and take the medication for the period that is prescribed.

4. Most endodontically treated teeth require a post and crown. This provides strength and support, and can prevent the tooth from cracking.

5. If you have any unusual problems such as swelling or excessive pain, please call the office as soon as possible.

Sweets
Sensitivity to sweet foods is usually caused by decay.

Hot and/or Cold
Sensitivity to hot and/or cold foods usually indicates:
~ Decay
~ Abscess (infection)
~ Worn Teeth
~ Receded Gums
It is not unusual for recent dental restorations to be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. This sensitivity should decrease with time.If sensitivity from a recent dental restoration worsens or persists, contact us.

Your Child’s Dental Health

A young child who has had a tooth knocked out may not be able to safely "store" the tooth in his or her mouth without swallowing it, so don't give the tooth to a young child for safe-keeping in his or her mouth. Place the tooth in milk or have the child spit into a container and place the tooth in the cup with the saliva. The most important thing is to keep the tooth moist.

Why you shouldn’t replace baby teeth

You should not attempt to put a milk tooth back in its socket because: It may fuse to the socket, which leads to difficulties when it is time for the tooth to be shed. It may damage the permanent tooth underneath the socket.