General Dentistry Checklists

• Wear your splints during sleep, not during the day or while eating.
• Allow time to adapt and for excess saliva to diminish. Your mouth will adapt in time.
• You might remove the splints in your sleep. This is common and will stop when your mouth adapts.
• When not in use, keep your splints in their container  and within easy reach.
• Do not leave your splints immersed in water.
• Tighten or loosen the splints by immersing them in hot tap water for 15 seconds. Then, reinsert and stabilise the splints in your mouth for 15 seconds before placing in cold water to set.
• If the splints start to loosen or dislodge, discontinue use and call the surgery to make an appointment for an adjustment.
• Splints can be cleaned with liquid disinfectant soap and then thoroughly rinsed prior to use.
• Remove stains from the splints by soaking in 3% peroxide solution (available from chemists) for 1-2 hours.
• Have your splints and teeth checked at least once a year by the surgery.

• If your tooth has a temporary filling, it could be vulnerable to fracture. To reduce the risks, avoid biting down on hard substances.
• The temporary filling might wear down before your next appointment, but it’s unlikely to fall out.
• After treatment, a crown should be placed over the tooth to guard against future breakages.
• You might experience discomfort for up to a few weeks after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing. To reduce the pain, take an analgesic like ibuprofen.
• Floss and brush your teeth as normal.

In the case of root canal flare up

95% of root therapies cause little or no discomfort after treatment. If you experience significant pain from a flare-up, it’s likely to occur in badly infected teeth or teeth that are extremely irritated.

If you experience moderate to severe pain, swelling and bruising that lasts for up to 3 days, please contact the surgery and we will assist in the relief of your discomfort.

Step by Step: inserting your snoring device

1. Brush and floss your teeth before inserting the snoring device.
2. Soften the device before insertion by running it under warm tap water. Never use hot water, as it will distort the device and affect the fit.
3. Insert the upper plate first and the lower plate second. Use both hands to guide the device and press up and down firmly with both thumbs for a secure and comfortable fit.
4. Gently bite the device to ensure it fits snugly.
5. Once both plates are securely in position, bring your lower jaw slightly forward and slowly close your mouth until your lips lightly touch each other.

Step by Step: removing your snoring device

1. Remove the lower plate first using your thumbs on both sides to pull the plate upwards.
2. Use your thumbs and index fingers to gently pull the upper plate downwards to remove.
3. Remember to clean the snoring device after each use.

Cleaning your snoring device

• Never use toothpaste on your snoring device.
• Rinse the device in cold water and then clean with a soft toothbrush and a mild detergent.
• Once a week, soak your device in a partial denture cleaner for 5 minutes then rinse and store in water.

Warnings about snoring devices. Do not wear a snoring device if you:

• have loose teeth
• are under 18 years of age
• are morbidly obese
• have severe sleep apnoea
• have advanced Periodontitis

Initially wearing the device may cause:

• increased salivation
• aches and pains
• pressure pain in the jaw joints
• dry mouth
• pressure sensitive teeth
• a change in your bite

These should diminish within an hour of removing the device. If any of these problems persist, contact the surgery. It is important to maintain your regular active maintenance appointments.

Insertion and removal of dentures

• Our staff will show you how to insert and remove your denture before leaving the surgery.
• New dentures will feel different at first until your mouth adapts. Never force the denture.
• Your speech might change in the first few weeks, but this will improve as your muscles and tongue adapt.

Eating and drinking with dentures

• Remember that it takes time and practice to learn how to eat and drink with new dentures.
• Start with soft foods and slowly work through cutting food in small pieces, taking small mouthfuls and chewing slowly. Avoid sticky foods until you have gained confidence.
• Avoid biting on the front teeth of your dentures.

Pain with dentures

• If pain develops under your denture, call the surgery to book an appointment.
• If the pain gets worse, remove your denture, but replace it a few hours prior to the appointment so we can determine where to make the adjustments.

Protecting your dentures

• Clean your dentures over a towel or basin full of water to protect your dentures from breaking if dropped.
• Do not wear your dentures overnight as your mouth needs rest.
• Place your dentures in a cleaning solution or water when you are not wearing them.
• Attend check up appointments regularly.

Cleaning your dentures

• Clean your dentures after each meal or at least twice a day.
• When you remove your dentures, make sure you rinse away food particles with water.
• Brush the inside and outside surface with a soft brush and unperfumed, mild soap.
• Do not use toothpaste on your dentures.
• Avoid hot water, abrasives, detergents, bleaches, methylated spirits and other strong chemicals.

If you experience discomfort

• Remember that the healing process around your extraction site can take up to 2 weeks.
• It’s normal to experience pain, swelling and oozing for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Take an analgesic as directed if you are feeling discomfort.
• Try to avoid chewing or biting your lips, cheek and tongue while the anaesthetic wears off.
• Apply an ice pack to the extraction site to reduce pain and swelling. As a guide, keep the ice pack on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes for up to 6 hours.
• A blood clot will form in the extraction site which is vital to the healing process so it’s important to keep the clot intact.
  • Avoid touching the extraction site.
  • Do not rinse your mouth vigorously.
  • Do not blow your nose hard.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Relax and avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours.
• Keep your head elevated to control any bleeding.
• Place the gauze pads supplied by our clinical staff over the bleeding area and apply firm pressure. Change the pads every 30 mins until bleeding stops. Biting firmly on a moist tea bag for 20 mins can also help reduce the bleeding.
• If bleeding persists or increases after 24 hours, contact the surgery.

Food and Drink

• We recommend you drink plenty of fluids and eat a diet of soft foods like yoghurt, ice cream, soups or soft eggs for the first 48 hours. Avoid small, crumbly food like rice or biscuits.

Brushing Your Teeth

• Make sure you brush and floss other areas of your mouth as you would normally.
• 24 hours after the procedure you can rinse your mouth gently with a warm salt water solution. Swish around the affected area 2-3 times a day for a week.

Next steps

• The space left by the tooth will feel strange at first but don’t be concerned, new bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap.
• The surgery will contact you to arrange a follow up appointment if required.