The oral surgeon will place your dentures at the time your teeth are extracted. You should not remove them until the next morning. After removing your dentures rinse them and brush them with liquid soap and a soft denture brush. Rinse your mouth gently and replace the dentures in your mouth. You should not keep the dentures out more than ten minutes because your mouth will swell and your won't be able to get them back into your mouth. Dr. Baer wants to see you soon after your dentures are placed. Be sure you have an appointment for him to adjust your dentures to take care of sore spots.
For the first week you should wear your dentures 24 hours a day. Take them out three or four times a day to clean them then put them back in your mouth. After seven days you should leave your dentures out at night. Your gums need time to rest and breathe.
The first three days are the most difficult period with immediate dentures. After that, each day will be better.
It is important for you to keep up your nutrition during the initial healing stages. Start with soft diet: scrambled eggs, milk shakes, pasta, ice cream, jello, pudding. After the soreness goes down start eating harder foods. Take small bites of food at first. Getting used to new dentures takes time. Don't get discouraged it just takes practice to master new dentures.
Dr. Baer will want to see you for several appointments during the early stages to help you adjust to your new dentures.
Remember that it takes time to get used to new dentures. Your have probably been living with your old dentures for a long time. Your new dentures are new and different so expect a break in period. Take smaller bites of food. Don't get out to a fancy restaurant until you have given yourself a chance to practice with your new dentures.
Speaking may be a small problem at first until your tongue and lips get your to the new contours of your new denture. Once again, practice makes perfect. Read out loud to yourself. Count to one thousand. Keep in mind that small slurs or lisps are much more noticeable to your than anyone else.
If you develop sorespots or are having problems, call Dr. Baer at 410-337-8940 for an appointment. He expects to see you several times until you get used to your new dentures.
Keeping your dentures clean is very important for the health of your mouth. Don't use toothpaste to clean your dentures. It is too abrasive. Use hand soap or dishwashing liquid such as Dawn and a denture brush. In addition to brushing you may choose to soak your dentures overnight in a commercial denture cleaner. If tarter or stain builds up on your dentures the very most effective cleaner is a mixture of two tablespoons of bleach (Chlorox), one tablespoon of water softener (Calgon) and one cup of water. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly before putting them in your mouth.
Always store your dentures in water when you are not wearing them. If you have a dog in your house be sure you keep your dentures out of their reach. Dogs love to chew on bones and dentures!
Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office at 410-337-8940 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don't be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You'll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.
Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.
Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us at 410-337-8940 if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.
To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don't pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 410-337-8940.
After tooth extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.
After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office at 410-337-8940 if the medication doesn't seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at 410-337-8940.
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at 410-337-8940.
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 410-337-8940.
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Dr. Marvin (Max) Baer your Baltimore MD Board Certified Prosthodontist offers Prosthodontic services, Complex Reconstructive Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry treatments including Dental Implants, Porcelain Veneers, Dental Bonding, Dentures, Dental Bridges, Dental Crowns, Teeth Whitening and Inlays & Onlays to correct missing teeth and enhance your smile.
Serving the following Baltimore MD locations:
Towson MD • Bel Air MD • Timonium MD • Lutherville MD
Prosthodontic Practice of Marvin (Max) Baer
1206 York Road, Suite 100, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093-6217 • Phone: 410-337-8940 • Fax: 410-337-8994
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