Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sensitive teeth are very common. Grinding or clenching your teeth and gum recession are all major contributors to having sensitive teeth. This does not mean that having your teeth cleaned professionally has to be a harrowing experience. Gentle removal of tartar is possible using hand scalers and good technique. Let us know if your teeth are sensitive so we can make every effort possible to make the experience a good one!

CLEANING – avoid rinsing the day your implant is placed. The next day start the following rinsing regime for 2 weeks :
a) Rinse with chlorhexidine mouthwash (Savacol) morning and night
b) Salt water rinses after meals – gentle non-vigorous rinsing only

Brush your teeth as normal avoiding implant site for 48 hours. On the third day you can start gentle brushing over the implant site. It is important to clean the implant site well to avoid gingival inflammation during the healing process. Bleeding while brushing is not uncommon in the early days after placement.

BLEEDING – There is generally minimal bleeding after implant placement so this should not be an issue. Pink saliva should not be a concern. If you have any bleeding concerns please call the surgery for advice.

PAIN – Mild to moderate discomfort should be relieved with over the counter analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. You will be advised if a prescription for pain relief is likely to be needed. Pain should start to resolve 2-3 days following implant placement. If you have any concerns about your level of discomfort please call for a review.

SWELLING/BRUISING – You may experience some swelling and bruising around the mouth, cheek, eye or jaws although it is not common with simple implant placement. An ice pack applied 15-20 mins on and 15-20 minutes off can help to reduce this. Any significant bruising should be reported to the surgery for review.

SUTURES (Stitches) – Will normally dissolve in 2-3 weeks and sometimes fall out sooner which is no cause for concern.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – Avoid over exertion/physical activity in the first 3-5 days following surgery. It may increase bleeding or post-operative swelling and discomfort.

DIET – A soft diet is preferable for 2-3 days following surgery. If you find eating difficult ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (5-6 glasses/day). Eating will help you to recover more quickly and prevent nausea from pain relief medication. If you experience vomiting or nausea please call the surgery for advice on taking pain medication.

DENTURES – Please leave your denture out as much as possible in the first few weeks following implant placement. Avoid chewing hard foods directly onto the denture at the implant site. If your denture is pressing on the implants you will need to come into the surgery to have your denture adjusted. Any excessive forces placed on the implant in the first month may affect its healing. If you have a suckdown/essex retainer please leave it out for eating

Getting used to your new dentures may take some time particularly if you haven’t worn a denture before. Each person is an individual and some people will need more time for your dentures to feel they are a part of your body. Initially they may feel quite a “mouthful” and you may find you produce more saliva in response to the new prostheses in your mouth. This will settle. Your speech may be affected with some slurring and mispronunciation of sounds, but rest assured that your tongue and lips will adapt to their new environment. Try practicing by reading or talking aloud. Efficient eating will come with time. When you start to eat on your new teeth try softer smaller bites of food to avoid biting your tongue, lips and cheeks. Learning to use your dentures will take time and patience.

Ulcers are not uncommon while your mouth adjusts to new dentures. Please call the surgery to have your denture adjusted. If wearing your denture is too painful remove it to allow the area some healing time but start wearing your denture again a few hours prior to your appointment so the area that needs adjusting can be seen.

Night time – remove your dentures at night. They can be stored in a special case (out of harms way) overnight.  Leaving your dentures in 24 hours a day can contribute to dental decay and gum problems.

Cleaning – dentures can be slippery so be careful not to drop them while cleaning. It is recommended you clean them over a towel or a sink half filled with water to prevent dropping and breaking them. Denture cleansers or mild soap can be used to clean your denture along with a soft or denture toothbrush. Do not use hot water as this may damage the acrylic.

Natural teeth - If you wear a partial denture ensure you remove your denture at least twice a day to clean your natural teeth. Your tongue and gums can be brushed with a soft toothbrush and non-alcoholic antibacterial mouth rinse can be used to aid with gum health (ie. Colgate plax)

Denture long term maintenance – if your denture is becoming loose (falls out when eating or speaking) or breaks please call the surgery for assistance. If your denture is wearing out it may be time for a new one or alternatively a reline can be considered.

Immediate dentures – leave your denture in for the first 24 hours after your teeth are extracted until you attend the surgery for your review appointment. Your denture protects the healing sockets and if you remove it too early swelling may prevent you from being able to put it back in place. Maintain a soft, nutritious diet while your sockets are healing to minimise the chance of ulceration while you are getting used to the new denture. 3-6 months after your teeth are removed a reline is likely to be needed to correct the fit of the denture once healing has taken place. Denture adhesives (polydent) may need to be used during this time for retention but are not a good long term solution for a loose denture.

If you are in pain, then you are having a dental emergency. Loose or cracked teeth, swelling of the gum and cheeks and broken or lost fillings are common causes of pain. Call us so that we can examine you, diagnose the problem, and create a treatment plan to address the cause of pain.

The techniques used to perform root canal treatment have advanced considerably, making this routine procedure no more uncomfortable or inconvenient than a filling. 

Many people who need root canal therapy are currently in pain, and a root canal will help to relieve your pain and save your tooth. Sometimes if your tooth is acutely painful then extra consideration will be taken in anaethetising the area (extra anaesthetic/different techniques) to ensure your comfort.  After your procedure, you may experience some discomfort, however this should be only for a few days as the tooth settles and should be easily controlled with over the counter analgesics.

Whitening products available for purchase in shops and online are designed to be "one size fits all" which often translates to "one size fits none". The effectiveness of over the counter formulations can vary but you will not get the best whitening result as these formulations are a much lower strength than what is available in professional whitening kits.  It is also importance to realise that some areas of the mouth may appear dark due to decay/old fillings/crowns/past root canal therapies and these areas won't respond to bleaching so it is best to have your teeth examined professionally to determine if bleaching is the right treatment to whiten your smile. Formulations should also be compatible with tooth structure and not cause any undue damage to the teeth in the bleaching process.

Wearing an occlusal splint will help to resolve the symptoms of TMD and reduce the stress placed on the teeth and muscles from grinding (bruxing) and clenching. This will help to prevent tooth wear and cracks.

Wear your splint every night for at least 2 weeks to get used to the feel of it. For grinding and clenching you will get the most benefit from wearing your splint every night. For TMD sufferers it is likely that it will take weeks to months of wear to relieve your symptoms. You will be directed by your dentist as to when you should return for adjustments.

• Excess saliva initially is normal and this will resolve.
• Your bite may feel unusual when you remove your splint - this is normal and will only last a few minutes.
• Dropping your splint may cause it to break.
• Ensure your teeth are brushed prior to wearing your splint overnight.
• Clean your splint with soft toothbrush and toothpaste, cold water only.

TMD sufferers: avoid eating hard, chewy foods that require you to open wide to bite into (ie. Apples, burgers). Soft foods that require less force during chewing will be most beneficial. Avoid yawning and holding your jaw open for long periods of time.

For pain relief: Heat packs applied over the sides of the face for periods of 15-20mins as required. Analgesia may be prescribed for you if necessary.