Patient Education

The first step is to choose a good toothbrush. You always want to use a soft brush with a small head. Also, be sure to use only a pea size of toothpaste. A good brushing should take 2 minutes or ideally around 4 minutes. Try to brush your teeth after each meal. But if you can’t, brush at least twice a day after breakfast and before going to bed.

Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the teeth and the gum. Gently press against the gum so the tips of the bristles go in between the gum and the teeth. Then apply lateral vibration for a few times and roll down the brush to sweep the plaque away from the teeth and the gum. Repeat this motion 6 to 10 times and move on to the next area of 2 to 3 teeth. On chewing surfaces, short strokes will work best to get the plaque out of the grooves and pits. Also when brushing the front teeth from inside, hold your brush vertically to be able to reach the teeth better.

After brushing, to maximize effectiveness of brushing, spit out the toothpaste, but don’t rinse your mouth.  This keeps the fluoride in the toothpaste in contact with your teeth for a longer time.

Generally electric brushes are more effective in controlling plaque than manual brushes. You can achieve a very good brushing with a regular hand brush but the movements of an electric brush makes the task easier and more efficient.

Since surfaces between teeth are not accessible to brush, the best way to clean them is to floss. The frequency of flossing is like brushing and ideally after each meal, though one time a day (before going to bed) is the minimum necessary. The goal is to clean the teeth surfaces and not the gum. In spaces between the teeth, press the floss against each tooth and gently move it back and forth and up and down and then move to the opposite surface of the adjacent tooth.

The causes of bad breath range from stomach problems to diet and teeth problems. Most causes of bad breath can be found in the mouth, they are:

1. Tongue (when bacteria grows in between the papilla)
2. Tooth cavities (especially when food particles get stuck in them)
3. Gum diseases
4. Extraction sites during healing
5. Dentures when not cleaned properly
6. Alcohol and tobacco.

Your dentist will be able to determine if your teeth or mouth is the source of bad breath. These several other non-dental reasons for bad breath:

1. Sore throat
2. Tonsillitis
3. Some foods
4. Infection in the air passages.

Following a good oral hygiene routine and getting regular check ups with your dentist are best ways of preventing bad breath.

Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there are bacteria present. It isn’t the amount of sugar you eat, it is how frequently you include sugar in your daily diet. When you want a snack, soda or juice it is better to have it after food as dessert or have it in one sitting instead of snacking or drinking along during the day. Eating or drinking something sweet over a long period of time creates a constant supply of sugar for the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Fluoride in toothpaste or mouthwash, or a fluoride treatment your dentist places on your teeth has a positive effect.

1. Pressure should be placed on the gauze pad that has been placed on the extraction site for one hour. If the bleeding continues new gauze should be placed and pressed on for another 45 minutes.
2. If you are supervising children who have had extraction done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3. Avoid eating or drinking anything hot on the day of your extraction. Also, do not rinse your mouth, do not use a straw for drinking. Do not spit and do not drink carbonated beverages. Do not brush on the day of the surgery; you can resume your brushing and flossing the day after, gently.
4. You may experience some pain, bruising around your lips and/or some swelling, especially after extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Ice bag application and medication prescribed for you will help to minimize your discomfort.
5. Please take all the medication you have received based on the instructions given to you.
6. During the first 2-3 days after the surgery a diet of soft food and liquids is recommended (soup, yogurt, milk shake and juice).
7. For more complex Surgical Procedures including Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, Implant Surgical Procedures, etc; you will receive an ice wrap which should be worn for the rest of the day and until you go to bed on the day of surgery only (10 minutes on and 5 minutes off). Individual instructions for various surgical treatments will have some unique directions which will be supplied to you at the time of your treatment.
8. Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, severe pain or swelling or if you have any questions or concerns. In case of serious emergencies call 911.

1. Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone.
2. If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3. Do not bite hard or chew on silver Amalgam fillings for 24 hours.
4. You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some soreness on your gum, this usually subsides in few days.
5. Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort for more than a few days after the fillings, or if you have any questions.

1. Crown and bridges usually take 2 or 3 appointments to complete. On the first appointment the tooth/teeth are prepared and impressions are taken and a temporary crown is placed on your tooth/teeth.
2. You may experience sensitivity, gum soreness and slight discomfort on the tooth / teeth, it should subside after the placement of permanent crown.
3. Whenever anesthesia is used, avoid chewing on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
4. Temporary crown is usually made of plastic based material or soft metal. It could break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown also may come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced. To avoid losing your temporary, avoid chewing on sticky or hard foods (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the treatment as much as possible.
5. After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if the bite feels uneven or you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth after 2-3 days call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
6. Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side).
7. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

1. You may experience moderate pain and sensitivity to pressure on your tooth. Also, you may feel gum soreness for few days after your treatment. The healing process may take several days but the pain and discomfort should subside gradually.
2. Take any medication that was prescribed for you according to instructions.
3. Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth, do not bite on the tooth for one hour and while you are numb. Also, until the permanent restoration is placed, be very gentle with the tooth. Try to chew with the opposite side.
4. Continue your brushing and flossing.
5. Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay on placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
6. Call our office if you are in severe pain or experience swelling or if you have any questions.
7. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

1. You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning).
2. If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off.
3. Continue your regular brushing and flossing.
4. Some bleeding for a day or two after cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding call our office.
5. Follow up with the placement of your permanent restoration as you have been advised. Any unnecessary delay on placement of final restoration may damage the tooth permanently.
6. Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions.

1. You may experience some pressure and discomfort on your teeth.
2. Be gentle with braces and avoid chewing hard and/or sticky food.
3. Brushing and flossing around braces are sometimes challenging but very important.
4. Call our office if you have any questions.

1. You may experience some discomfort and bleeding the day of the surgery.
2. Take all the prescribed medications based on given instructions.
3. Apply an ice bag on your face over the surgical site on the day of surgery for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
4. Keep your next appointment on time for removal of sutures and follow up checks.
5. DO NOT raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the treated area.
6. DO NOT brush teeth near the surgical site. Brush teeth in the rest of your mouth.
7. There is often a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area and the tooth may feel loose.
8. Do not smoke, spit or use a straw on the day of the surgery (avoid smoking for a few days after the surgery).
9. Should any difficulties occur, do not hesitate to call our office anytime. In case of an extreme urgency call 911.

1. You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.
2. You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container containing water or denture cleaning solution. Your gum needs rest and to be without the dentures every day for a period of time.
3. Clean dentures thoroughly with brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.
4. It may be difficult to talk normally with the new denture for a few days. A way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new denture and you will talk normally very soon.
5. Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort or if you have any questions.