Post operative instructions after dental treatment

1. POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
TO PATIENT AFTER DENTAL
TREATMENT
Presented by,
Dr Gopika Sukumaran
BDS

2. POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER DEEP
SCALING
COMMON EXPERIENCES AFTER SCALING
 Discomfort:
 Gums may be slightly sore and irritated for few days,
 If you experience any swelling, stiffness or discomfort you can
place a cold compress on the affected area & take some pain
relieving medicines.

3.  Tooth sensitivity
 Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes or sweets.
 This sensation frequently occurs when the surfaces of the roots of
your teeth have been cleaned.
 Removal of the debris covering the roots leaves the roots open to
temperature stimulus.
 The sensitivity to temperature may be intense at first, but usually
diminishes quickly.
 If the problem persists, please let us know.

4.  Bleeding
 Some slight bleeding may occur during
the next several brushing.
 The bleeding should steadily decreases
after two or three days.
 Appearance
 Root surface may be more exposed as the swelling of the inflamed
gum tissue goes away.
 This may result in more open space between teeth
 Teeth may appear elongated.

5.  Recession of the gums after dental treatment
 After healing occurs, there may be gum
recession that exposes the margin or edge of
crowns or fillings, increase sensitivity of
teeth, and creates aesthetic or cosmetic
changes in the front teeth.
 Resulting in longer tooth appearance and
wider inter proximal spaces.
 These wide interproximal spaces are more
likely to trap food.

6. AFTER SCALING & ROOT PLANNING
• Do not smoke for 24 to 48 hours after deep scaling as it will delay the healing
process.
• Apply an ice bag wrapped in a towel , to the area of deep scaling to minimize the
swelling, alternating 20min on and 20min off.
• From next day onwards, rinse your mouth 2-3times daily with lukewarm saline
water.
• Slight pain and discomfort immediately following treatment is usually present in
areas where advanced periodontal disease was present. It subsides within 2-3 days.
• Teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold or sweet. Use a toothpaste made for sensitive
teeth such as sensodyne.

7. • Avoid using whitening toothpastes as it will further aggrevate
sensitivity.
• As the gums heal, they may change shape and size and appear less
bulbous red.
• Regular brushing and flossing is must. Some slight bleeding may
occur during the next several brushings, but should decrease with time.
• Make sure to brush your gums with a gentle circular motion as this
increases blood flow to the gums and promotes good tissue health.
• In case, advanced scaling and root planning procedure has been
performed avoid taking hard food stuff like nuts for few days
following your treatment.

8. Follow up - Care
• Please return in 6weeks for a prophylaxis( regular cleaning)
• During this time, your periodontal tissue will be evaluated for the expected
improvement and effectiveness of your oral self – care and to determine the
possible necessity of further periodontal treatment.
• This appointment will include reprobing the periodontal tisuues.

9. POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTION TO PATIENT AFTER FILLING
1. COMPOSITE RESTORATION
 Do not chew paan, gutkha or smoke
cigarette which can stain the teeth.
 Do not drink staining products such as
tea, coffee on that day.
2. AMALGAM RESTORATION
 You should not chew hard or sticky foods or chew directly on the new filling for
the first 24hours.

10.  If possible chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.
 New silver amalgam fillings can be sensitive to hot and cold liquids and other
foods.
 In case anesthetic has been used, your lips, teeth and tongue may be mumb for
several hours after the appointement.
 Avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off.
 It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb. So children should be
watched for this.

11. POST EXTRACTION INSTRUCTION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PATIENT DURING THE FIRST 24HOURS
 Bite on a moist gauze pad for 45-60mins, dry gauze pad may dislodge the clot
after its removal.
 Don’t smoke, spit or suck on candies or through a straw, because these actions
create negative pressure and dislodge the blood clot.
 Don’t rinse and don’t use floss adjacent to the extraction site.
 Don’t exercise because it leads to increase blood circulation and leads to
bleeding.
 Avoid hot drinks and food and avoid spicy food.

12.  If the patient suffers from swelling cover the area with ice bag for 30mins for
the swelling to subsides.
 Chew on the opposite side, avoid hard foods and drink lots of fluid ( cold fluids
are recommened ).

13. AFTER THE FIRST 24 HOURS
• Rinse with warm salty water softly twice or thrice daily for 5-6days.
• Start to eat, brush and floss normally.
• Continue to use medication if prescribed.