Home Care Instructions

Some bleeding is common during dental hygiene treatment. The amount of bleeding is related to the health of your gums. The absence of bleeding suggests superior oral health. Tissues that are irritated by the presence of bacteria will bleed. Bleeding, however, should not persist past your appointment. If you notice persistent bleeding, call Dr. Morrison. In some situations there are medications that can enhance bleeding. We make every attempt to identify any such medications you may be taking prior to treatment. Aspirin is one of these drugs and should be avoided, if possible. If you need to take something for discomfort, Tylenol is the medication of choice.

Bacterial deposits, called calculus, can insulate your teeth and protect them from hot and cold temperatures. Once the calculus is removed, sensitivity may occur. Therefore, avoid eating and drinking extremely hot or cold foods immediately following your appointment. This sensitivity should subside within a few days. If sensitivity persists, please call Dr. Morrison.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated during treatment and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses may be helpful; use a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon of salt several times a day or as needed.

If you received a fluoride treatment at this appointment, please refrain from eating or drinking (including water) for at least 30 minutes.

If you received local anesthesia during this appointment, wait until the anesthetic wears off before chewing to avoid any damage to soft tissues.

Continue to brush and floss properly.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

When used as directed, stannous fluoride aids in the prevention of dental caries and builds increasing protection against painful sensitivity due to cold, heat, sweets, or contact.

• Fluoride is most effective on clean, plaque-free teeth. Brush and floss thoroughly.
• Place gel on a clean, dry toothbrush.
• Brush thoroughly for one minute working the gel into all surfaces of the teeth and spaces.
• Swish the fluoride in your mouth, forcing it between the teeth, for an additional minute.
• Spit well. Do NOT swallow.
• Do NOT rinse, eat, or drink for 30 minutes.

The fluoride gel is to be used:

• Once per day for caries prevention
• Twice per day for hypersensitivity control and prevention

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself, and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

Composite restorations are fabricated with a tooth-colored material that hardens upon completion, enabling you to chew right away. However, if anesthetic was used, you may want to wait until it wears off to avoid possible damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

If your restoration includes the incisal (biting) edge, do NOT bite on anything you are not going to eat (i.e., fingernails, pens, rocks, etc.).

Continue to brush and floss properly.

Sensitivity to cold is common following any restorative procedure. Usually, the deeper the cavity, the more sensitivity you may experience. It is generally most noticeable 12 to 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself, and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

If you feel your bite is not balanced, or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

Gold foil restorations are completely hardened upon completion, enabling you to chew right away. However, if anesthetic was used, you may want to wait until it wears off to avoid possible damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

Very small pellets of gold are used to create your restoration and it is not unusual to find some unused excess after your procedure.

Continue to brush and floss properly.

Sensitivity to cold is common following any restorative procedure. Usually, the deeper the cavity the more sensitivity you may experience. It is generally most noticeable 12 to 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

If you feel your bite is not balanced or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

It is important to avoid bad habits, such as chewing ice, to help insure that your restorations continue looking and functioning like new.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

Hybrid and gold restorations are fabricated with materials that harden upon completion and, therefore, you can chew right away. However, you may want to wait until the anesthetic wears off to avoid possible damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

You may brush and floss properly, even around your new restoration.

Sensitivity to cold is common following any restorative procedure. Usually, the deeper the cavity the more sensitivity you may experience. It is generally most noticeable 12 to 24 hours after the anesthetic wears off.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

It may take a few days to adjust to your final restoration. If after this time you feel your bite is not balanced or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

Following the first appointment for a crown procedure, a temporary is usually placed on the tooth or teeth. This will protect them while the custom restoration is being made.

Temporary crowns are of a universal shade. Your final restoration will be shaped and shaded to match your other teeth in both color and function.

The use of temporary cement is for easy removal on your next appointment. Temporaries are used to protect your teeth and maintain the correct space for your permanent restoration. They must remain in place to prevent any movement of your teeth during the interim period. We recommend that you avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that may cause your temporary to become dislodged. If your temporary does come off between appointments, slip it back in and call us for an appointment.

The gum tissue around the tooth or teeth may be sensitive due to its retraction from obtaining an impression. Sensitivity to cold and/or pressure is also possible.

Proper brushing is advised during this period; however, flossing should be avoided around the temporary(ies).

After the final cementation of your fixed restoration, it may take a few days to get used to it. If you feel that the bite is not correctly balanced, be sure to call for an appointment to make a simple adjustment.

Please do not hesitate to also call if you have any questions or concerns.

Root canal (endodontic) treatment is a procedure, which may take multiple appointments (stages), depending on the circumstances of each case. It is possible to experience any of the following symptoms after completing a stage(s):

• Sensitivity to hot and/or cold
• Sensitivity to pressure
• Swelling

It is difficult to predict which symptoms, if any, you may experience and to what extent. In complicated cases, pain medication may be necessary.

If you experience swelling, call Dr. Morrison; an antibiotic may need to be prescribed. If a medication is prescribed, be sure you use it as directed. It is important to take antibiotics until they are finished.

A temporary filling may be used to seal the tooth between visits.

During endodontic treatment, the nerve, blood, and nutrient supply to the tooth is removed. This will cause the tooth to become brittle and prone to fracturing, so we recommend being gentle with the tooth while eating, unil the final restoration is placed.

Continue to brush and floss properly. Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

Bleeding: After an extraction, some wet gauze will be placed over the extraction site to prevent excessive bleeding and to promote a healing blood clot. Keep pressure on it for 30-45 minutes and replace if bleeding continues. Slight bleeding may occur for as long as 2 days. Avoid activities that could dislodge or apply suction to the blood clot, such as rinsing, spitting, smoking, drinking hot beverages, or sucking through a straw for at least 48 hours.

Rinsing: Do not rinse your mouth on the day of the extraction. The next day you can rinse your mouth gently with a glass of warm water mixed with ½ teaspoon of salt. You can do this once every 3-4 hours, especially following meals.

Swelling: Following an extraction, some swelling and bruising may occur. An ice pack applied to the cheek will keep this to a minimum. Apply the ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes. Remove for 10 minutes. Repeat this procedure for the next 3 hours.

Medications: If non-aspirin medications, such as Advil or Tylenol, do not relieve your discomfort, please contact Dr. Morrison.

Food: A light diet with plenty of fluids is recommended for the first day. Avoid carbonated, alcoholic, and hot beverages. Chewing should be done away from the extraction site.

Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss properly, being extra gentle near the extraction site. Avoid commercial mouth rinses, as they tend to irritate the site. Beginning 24 hours after the extraction, you can rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon in a cup of water) after meals and before bed.

Healing: After a tooth has been extracted there will be a resulting hole in your jawbone where the tooth was. In time, this will smooth and fill in with bone. This process can take many weeks or months. However, after 1-2 weeks you should no longer notice any inconvenience.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

Following the first appointment for a bridge procedure, a temporary is usually placed on the tooth or teeth. This will protect them while the custom restoration is being made.

Temporary bridges are of a universal shade. Your final bridge will be shaped and shaded to match your other teeth in both color and function.

The use of temporary cement is for easy removal on your next appointment. Temporaries are used to protect your teeth and maintain the correct space for your permanent restoration. They must remain in place to prevent any movement of your teeth during the interim period. We recommend that you avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that may cause your temporary to become dislodged. If your temporary does come off between appointments, slip it back in and call us for an appointment.

The gum tissue around the tooth or teeth may be sensitive due to its retraction from obtaining an impression. Sensitivity to cold and/or pressure is also possible.

Proper brushing is advised during this period; however, flossing should be avoided around the temporary(ies).

After the cementation of your final bridge, it may take a few days to get used to it. If you feel that the bite is not correctly balanced, be sure to call for an appointment to make a simple adjustment.

Please do not hesitate to also call if you have any questions or concerns.

Implants are a procedure, which takes multiple appointments (stages). It is possible to experience any of the following symptoms after completing a stage(s):

• Sensitivity to hot and/or cold
• Sensitivity to pressure
• Swelling

It is difficult to predict which symptoms, if any, you may experience and to what extent.

For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums, gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures during this time.

Biting pressure on the temporary denture will decrease swelling, promote clotting, and decrease the initial flow of blood. This slight bleeding may occur for up to 2 to 3 days.

If bleeding and swelling persist or non-aspirin medications, such as Advil or Tylenol, do not relieve discomfort, please contact Dr. Morrison.

A light diet with plenty of fluids is recommended particularly for the first week.

Starting the day after the procedure, carefully take out the temporary twice and clean it with a toothbrush and an abrasive toothpaste or denture cleanser. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Continue to brush and floss any of your natural teeth properly.

Sleep with the temporary in your mouth for one week unless otherwise instructed. Due to the possibility of swelling, it is important to only take your temporary out for brief periods. If left out for too long, the swelling may prevent it from fitting properly. After the first week, you should take it out while sleeping to allow the gum tissues to rest. Also, sleeping on an extra pillow will elevate your head and minimize swelling.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

Biting pressure on the denture will decrease swelling, promote clotting, and decrease the initial flow of blood. Slight bleeding may occur for up to 2 to 3 days.

Apply an ice compress to the affected area/areas for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 36 hours. Do not use heat.

Don’t take the denture out today, but gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water before going to bed (1 tsp. of salt mixed in a glass of water).

Limit your diet to soft foods and plenty of liquids for the first week.

Starting the day after the procedure, carefully take out the denture twice and clean it with a toothbrush and an abrasive toothpaste or denture cleanser. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. Continue to brush your natural teeth properly.

Sleep with the denture in your mouth for one week unless otherwise instructed. Due to the possibility of swelling, it is important to only take your denture out for brief periods. If left out for too long, the swelling may prevent the denture from fitting properly. After the first week, you should take it out while sleeping to allow the gum tissues to rest. Also, sleeping on an extra pillow will elevate your head and minimize swelling.

Due to the gum shrinkage that occurs during healing, the first six months after placement you may go through periods when your denture fits loosely. A temporary material will be inserted during this time to aid in comfort. Denture adhesives can be used during this period to enable a comfortable fit.

Following the gum shrinkage period, a more permanent liner will be placed if your denture does not fit properly.

You may experience sore spots caused by the denture not fitting properly or from too much pressure being applied to the healing gum tissues. Call Dr. Morrison if these problems occur, to make an appointment for an adjustment. Never try to adjust your denture yourself.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

You will adapt to your new partial denture in time. Speaking naturally while wearing your partial will come with practice, so the more you speak, the faster this will occur. We suggest reading out loud.

As you adjust to your new partial denture, you may experience some sore spots from time to time. These may occur on your soft tissue or on the adjacent teeth and can usually be corrected with an adjustment. If this happens, please do NOT try to adjust your appliance at home. Simply call Dr. Morrison as soon as possible.

Keeping your partial denture clean is very important. Take it out at least twice a day and clean it with a stiff toothbrush and a denture cleaner. If it gets stained, follow the denture cleaner manufacturer’s instructions for soaking. If you have clasps on your partial, be sure to clean them every time you brush your teeth. These areas tend to hold food and harbor bacteria that can cause your natural teeth to decay.

You should take your partial denture out when sleeping to allow the gum tissues to rest. ALWAYS put your partial in an appropriate denture cup with a lid when you’re not wearing it and submerge it in water. Pets love to chew on them.

If you feel your bite is not balanced or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

You will adapt to your new denture in time. Speaking naturally while wearing your denture will come with practice, so the more you speak, the faster this will occur. We suggest reading out loud.

As you adjust to your new denture, you may experience some sore spots from time to time. These can usually be corrected with an adjustment. If this happens, please do NOT try to adjust your appliance at home, but call Dr. Morrison as soon as possible.

Keeping your denture clean is very important. Take it out at least twice a day and clean it with a stiff toothbrush and a denture cleaner. If it gets stained, follow the denture cleaner manufacturer’s instructions for soaking.

You should take your denture out when sleeping to allow the gum tissues to rest. ALWAYS put your denture in an appropriate denture cup with a lid, submerged in water, when you’re not wearing it. Pets love to chew on them.

If you feel your bite is not balanced or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

You will need to apply the special bleaching agent we give you to your clear, custom bleach splints. The splints should be worn for a few hours of wear day or night.

When wearing the splints, refrain from eating, chewing, drinking, or smoking, but most regular activities, such as talking, are fine.

You will need to repeat wear daily for a few weeks.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.

It may take a few days to adjust to the filing.

Some sensitivity to cold and/or pressure is also possible.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself, and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

If you feel your bite is not balanced or if any sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

Bonding is made of a tooth-colored material that hardens upon completion, enabling you to chew right away.

If your restoration includes the incisal (biting) edge, do NOT bite on anything you are not going to eat (i.e., fingernails, pens, rocks, etc.).

Continue to brush and floss properly, even around your new restorations.

Some sensitivity to cold and/or pressure is also possible.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself, and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

If you feel your bite is not balanced, or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

Veneers can be fabricated either in a laboratory (porcelain) or in the office (composite). Either is very natural in both its look and function.

Chewing on your final veneer is allowed immediately; however, if you received anesthesia, you should wait until it wears off to avoid possible damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

Your final veneer(s) cover(s) the incisal (biting) edge of your tooth. Therefore, do NOT bite on anything that you are not going to eat (i.e. fingernails, pens, rocks, etc.).

Continue to brush and floss properly, even around your new restorations.

Some sensitivity to cold and/or pressure is also possible.

Your gum tissue may have become irritated due to rubber dam isolation or the procedure itself and may be sore for a few days. Saltwater rinses several times per day, using a glassful of warm water with ½ teaspoon salt, may be helpful.

It may take a few days to adjust to your final restoration(s). If you feel your bite is not balanced or if sensitivity persists at the same level for more than four to five days, please call Dr. Morrison.

Please do not hesitate to also call him if you have any questions or concerns.

You will wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Morrison has prescribed for you.

You will need to visit Dr. Morrison about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

Total treatment time averages 9 - 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

Please do not hesitate to call Dr. Morrison if you have any questions or concerns.