A dentist’s office can be a busy place. Below are some ressources that will come in handy before and after your appointment. This page is updated from time to time.Â
At your appointment, we take impressions of your teeth to create custom-fitted whitening trays for both your upper and lower teeth. These trays are designed to hold the whitening gel evenly against your teeth while minimizing contact with your gums.
Once your trays are ready, usually within a few days, you will pick them up along with your whitening gel and full instructions. Everything you need will be provided by the clinic.
Begin by brushing your teeth before each whitening session. Apply a small drop of gel into each tooth compartment of the tray and do not overfill. Seat the tray firmly over your teeth and leave it in place for the duration recommended by your dentist, typically between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the gel concentration.
After removing the trays, rinse your mouth with water and clean the trays with a soft toothbrush under cold water. Store them in their protective case.
Repeat daily or as directed by your dentist until you reach your desired shade, usually over 1 to 2 weeks.
Some patients experience mild tooth sensitivity or slight gum irritation during whitening. This is normal and temporary. If sensitivity becomes uncomfortable, skip a day between sessions to allow your teeth to rest.
Avoid very hot or very cold foods and beverages in the hours following each session. If irritation persists or worsens, contact the clinic and we will adjust your treatment accordingly.
To get the best results, avoid staining foods and drinks during your treatment period. This includes coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and tomato-based sauces. If you do consume them, brush your teeth as soon as possible afterwards.
Smoking will significantly reduce the effectiveness of your whitening treatment and is best avoided entirely during the process.
With proper care, your whitening results can last 12 to 24 months. To maintain your bright smile, keep up with your regular dental cleanings, practice good daily oral hygiene, and limit your consumption of staining foods and drinks.
Your custom trays are reusable. When you are ready for a touch-up down the road, simply contact the clinic to purchase additional whitening gel. No need to remake the trays.
Swelling of the face or mild bruising of the skin after an extraction is normal. Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) on the area for the first 48 hours to control swelling as much as possible. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off rotation, alternating sides if both sides were treated.
It is normal for swelling to peak within the first couple of days before subsiding gradually. Please call the clinic if swelling returns after a few days, as this may indicate an infection that needs to be addressed promptly.
Apply firm pressure on any bleeding area using the folded gauze compresses provided, and change them until the bleeding stops completely and the compresses remain white. For the first few days, avoid rinsing, spitting, swishing while brushing, using a straw, or smoking.
It is also recommended to sleep with your head slightly elevated using an extra pillow for the first night. Immediate and consistent pressure is the most effective way to control bleeding.
You can eat light meals for the first couple of days. Good options include yogurt, soups, and soft foods. Avoid very warm foods and straws, as both can trigger bleeding.
Do not rinse or spit for the first 48 hours, as this can disturb the healing process. After 48 to 72 hours, you may begin rinsing gently with salt water or an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Take all prescribed medications, whether for pain control or antibiotics, exactly as indicated on the labels. For greater comfort, it is best to take pain medication before the freezing wears off completely.
If you have any concerns about your medication or experience an unexpected reaction, do not hesitate to call the clinic.
Stitches are typically dissolvable and will fall out on their own after a few days. This is completely normal and no action is required on your part.
If a stitch falls out earlier than expected or you notice anything unusual around the extraction site, feel free to contact the clinic for reassurance.
Brush gently in the areas not affected by the extraction, and gradually resume normal brushing over the following days as the area becomes more comfortable. Good oral hygiene is important, as it significantly reduces the risk of secondary infection.
After 48 to 72 hours, you may begin rinsing and gargling with a mouthwash. Choose one without alcohol for best results.
On average, you can resume light physical activity once bleeding has completely stopped, typically after 48 to 72 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise before that, as increased blood pressure can cause bleeding to restart.
If you are unsure whether you are ready to resume activity, err on the side of caution and give yourself an extra day of rest.
Bleeding after a gingival graft typically comes from the palate. Apply firm, targeted pressure directly on the bleeding area using the gauze compresses provided, or directly on your palatal guard if you have one. Maintain pressure for as long as necessary until the bleeding stops.
Once a clot has formed, avoid rinsing, spitting, swishing, using a straw, or smoking, as all of these can dislodge the clot and cause bleeding to restart. A small amount of bleeding inside the palatal guard during the first couple of days is normal. Simply remove it, rinse it with cold water, and reinsert it.
Take all prescribed medications, whether for pain control or antibiotics, exactly as indicated on the labels. For greater comfort, it is best to begin pain medication before the freezing wears off completely.
If you have any concerns about your medication or experience an unexpected reaction, do not hesitate to call the clinic.
Brush gently in all areas not related to the graft. Avoid the grafted area and the palatal donor site entirely during the initial healing phase. The grafted area may be covered by a protective dressing during this time.
Resume normal brushing gradually as the areas become more comfortable over the following days. Good oral hygiene in the unaffected areas remains important throughout your recovery.
If you have opted for a palatal guard, you may find it most comfortable to wear during the day, at night, or both. Many patients find it especially helpful during meals, as it protects the palatal area more reliably while eating.
Wearing the palatal guard is optional and entirely based on your comfort. If you find it helpful, use it as much as you like. If you have any questions about how to use or clean it, do not hesitate to call the clinic.
Your follow-up appointment is scheduled one week after the graft. It is a brief visit during which we will remove the protective dressing if one was placed, as well as any non-dissolving stitches.
Additional post-operative instructions will be provided at that visit if needed. If you have any concerns before your follow-up, please call the clinic and we will be happy to help.
Swelling of the face or mild bruising of the skin after a bone or sinus graft is normal. Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) on the area for the first 48 hours to control swelling as much as possible. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off rotation, alternating sides if both sides were treated.
It is normal for swelling to peak within the first couple of days before subsiding gradually. Please call the clinic if swelling returns after a few days, as this may indicate an infection that needs to be addressed promptly.
Apply firm pressure on any bleeding area using the folded gauze compresses provided, and change them until the bleeding stops completely and the compresses remain white. For the first few days, avoid rinsing, spitting, swishing while brushing, using a straw, or smoking.
Sleep with your head slightly elevated using an extra pillow for the first night. Immediate and consistent pressure is the most effective way to control bleeding.
Eat light meals for the first couple of days. Good options include yogurt, soups, and soft foods. Avoid very warm foods and straws, as both can trigger bleeding.
Do not rinse or spit for the first 48 hours, as this can disturb the healing process. After 48 to 72 hours, you may begin rinsing gently with salt water or an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Take all prescribed medications, whether for pain control or antibiotics, exactly as indicated on the labels. For greater comfort, it is best to take pain medication before the freezing wears off completely.
If you have any concerns about your medication or experience an unexpected reaction, do not hesitate to call the clinic.
Do not blow your nose or hold back sneezes following a sinus graft, as the pressure created can compromise the graft. If you need to sneeze, let it out naturally with your mouth open.
Take your prescribed Otrivin and antibiotics exactly as directed. These are an important part of your recovery and should not be skipped.
Do not brush the surgical area until your next appointment. Continue brushing normally in all areas not affected by the surgery, as good oral hygiene significantly reduces the risk of secondary infection.
After a few days, you may rinse and gargle with an alcohol-free mouthwash or ORO-X (Chlorhexidine mouthwash) as directed by your dentist.
Stitches are typically dissolvable and will begin to fall out on their own after a few days. This is completely normal and no action is required on your part.
If you notice anything unusual around the surgical site before your follow-up appointment, do not hesitate to contact the clinic.
On average, you can resume light physical activity once bleeding has completely stopped, typically after 48 to 72 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise before that, as increased blood pressure can cause bleeding to restart.
If you are unsure whether you are ready to resume activity, give yourself an extra day of rest to be safe.
Your follow-up appointment is scheduled to remove your stitches and assess how the graft is healing. Please make sure to attend this visit even if you are feeling well, as it is an important step in ensuring a successful outcome.
If you have any concerns before your appointment, call the clinic and we will be happy to help.
Swelling of the face or mild bruising of the skin after implant surgery is normal. Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) on the area for the first 48 hours to control swelling as much as possible. Use a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off rotation, alternating sides if both sides were treated.
It is normal for swelling to peak within the first couple of days before subsiding gradually. Please call the clinic if swelling returns after a few days, as this may indicate an infection that needs to be addressed promptly.
Implant surgery may cause minor bleeding. Applying gentle pressure to the area with a gauze compress is usually sufficient to bring it under control. Do not rinse or spit for the first 48 hours, as this can disturb the healing process.
Please call the clinic if bleeding is more significant or does not respond to gentle pressure.
Eat light meals for the first couple of days and chew exclusively on the side of your mouth that was not treated. Avoid putting any pressure on the implant site while eating, as this is important for proper healing and integration.
Soft foods such as yogurt, soups, and mashed vegetables are good options during this initial period.
Take all prescribed medications, whether for pain control or antibiotics, exactly as indicated on the labels. For greater comfort, it is best to take pain medication before the freezing wears off completely.
If you have any concerns about your medication or experience an unexpected reaction, do not hesitate to call the clinic.
If you wear a denture, avoid placing it over the implant site during the healing period, as pressure on the area can interfere with the integration process. Your existing denture may need to be relined to accommodate the changes in your mouth.
Your dentist will advise you on when it is safe to resume wearing your denture normally.
Good oral hygiene plays a direct role in the success of your implant. Continue brushing all areas not affected by the surgery as usual. Rinse twice daily with the mouthwash provided at the clinic, an alcohol-free mouthwash, or salt water.
Avoid brushing the surgical area until your next follow-up appointment. Your dentist will guide you on when and how to resume gentle brushing over the implant site.
Stitches are typically dissolvable and will begin to fall out on their own after a few days. This is completely normal and no action is required on your part.
If you notice anything unusual around the implant site before your follow-up appointment, do not hesitate to contact the clinic.
On average, you can resume light physical activity once bleeding has completely stopped, typically after 48 to 72 hours. Avoid strenuous exercise before that, as increased blood pressure can cause bleeding to restart.
If you are unsure whether you are ready to resume activity, give yourself an extra day of rest to be safe.
It is normal to experience some sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure in the treated tooth for a few days following a filling. This is a natural response as the tooth settles around the new restoration and should subside on its own within one to two weeks.
If sensitivity is severe, worsening over time, or persists beyond two weeks, please contact the clinic as the filling may need a minor adjustment.
Your mouth may remain frozen for one to three hours after your appointment depending on the type of anesthetic used. During this time, avoid eating on the treated side to prevent accidentally biting your cheek, lip, or tongue without realizing it.
Be especially cautious with children, as they may not fully understand the sensation and are more likely to accidentally injure themselves while frozen.
You can resume eating normally once the freezing has worn off completely. If you received a composite (white) filling, it is fully hardened by the time you leave the clinic and no special diet is required.
If you received a temporary filling, avoid sticky, hard, or chewy foods on that side until your permanent restoration is in place.
You can brush and floss normally right after your appointment. There is no healing period required for a routine filling, and maintaining good oral hygiene around the restored tooth is encouraged from day one.
If brushing causes significant pain beyond mild sensitivity, contact the clinic so we can assess the filling.
Occasionally, a new filling can feel slightly high or uneven when you bite down. This is common and easy to correct. If your bite feels off after the freezing has fully worn off, call the clinic and we will schedule a quick adjustment appointment at no charge.
Do not leave an uneven bite unaddressed, as it can cause discomfort in the jaw and surrounding teeth over time.
Contact us if you experience sharp or spontaneous pain in the treated tooth, significant sensitivity that is not improving after two weeks, a feeling that the filling has chipped or fallen out, or swelling around the treated area.
These symptoms are uncommon after a routine filling but should always be assessed promptly to ensure the best outcome.
It is normal to experience some soreness or sensitivity around the treated tooth for a few days following an endodontic treatment. This is a natural response as the surrounding tissue begins to heal and should gradually improve over the course of one to two weeks.
Over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen is usually sufficient to manage any discomfort. Take it as directed on the packaging, or as prescribed by your dentist.
If antibiotics were prescribed, take the full course exactly as indicated on the label, even if you begin feeling better before it is finished. Stopping antibiotics early can allow the infection to return.
For pain control medication, it is best to take the first dose before the freezing wears off completely for greater comfort during the initial hours after your appointment.
In many cases, a temporary filling is placed at the end of your appointment to seal the tooth while healing takes place. This temporary restoration is not as strong as a permanent one, so avoid chewing hard, sticky, or crunchy foods on that side until your permanent restoration is in place.
If the temporary filling feels loose, cracks, or falls out entirely, contact the clinic as soon as possible so it can be replaced promptly.
An endodontically treated tooth is more fragile than a healthy tooth and will typically require a crown to protect it from fracture. Your dentist will discuss the appropriate permanent restoration with you at your follow-up appointment.
It is important not to delay this step, as an unrestored tooth following a root canal is at higher risk of cracking, which can compromise the treatment outcome.
Continue brushing and flossing normally throughout your recovery. Good oral hygiene plays an important role in reducing the risk of reinfection and supporting the healing process.
Brush gently around the treated tooth if it is sensitive to pressure, and resume normal brushing as comfort improves over the following days.
Contact us if you experience severe pain that does not respond to medication, significant swelling of the face or gums, a return of symptoms after an initial period of improvement, or if the temporary filling is lost or damaged.
These symptoms are uncommon but should always be assessed promptly to protect the success of your treatment.
