Dental Patient Information – Kittanning, PA

Homecare

Tooth Brushing: Always use a soft toothbrush! Brush at least morning and before bedtime.

Flossing: between teeth and under gum line at least once per day.

Hydrogen Peroxide: straight out of a bottle OR household bleach mixed 1:20 with water OR Peroxyl or other peroxide based mouthwash:

• Use as mouth rinse
• Wet toothbrush with peroxide and brush along gum line
• Dip sulcus brush in peroxide and work under gum line
• Dip interproximal brush into it and take between teeth or around/under dental work

Baking Soda:

Brush onto teeth with toothbrush.

Dip dry toothbrush first into peroxide, then into baking soda, and brush teeth.

• Make a paste with baking soda and peroxide; make the paste right in the palm of your hand or in small container.
• Brush teeth with this paste like you would with toothpaste.
• Place paste on a few teeth at a time along gum line (use finger) and work under gum line with rubber tip stimulator or sulcus brush.
• Dip interproximal brush into mixture and take between teeth and/or around dental work.

Fluoridex Toothpaste: use in place of regular toothpaste

Sensodyne, Crest Sensitivity, or other OTC Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Xylitol: products include gum, mints, mouth rinse, toothpaste, xylitol “sugar.”

• 6-10 “servings”/day for one year has profound and lasting therapeutic value.
• One “serving” equals on piece of gum, one mint, one mouth rinse, one toothbrushing, one packet of xylitol “sugar.”

Ozonated Oil:

• Dip rubber tip stimulator or sulcus brush into oil and work under gum line.
• Dip interproximal brush into oil and work between teeth or under gum line.

CariFree Treatment Kit: One kit lasts approximately three months-use twice daily if you are at a high risk for tooth decay.

Irrigator: (Water Pik) with cannula-for under the gumline disinfection

• Place a bend in the cannula of between 45 and 90 degrees
• Use on low setting

Solutions for in reservoir of irrigator:

• Therasol concentrate mixed 1:8 with distilled water
• Household bleach mixed 1:20 with water
• Ozonated water: Receive from our dental office in the form of ice; keep frozen until ready to use; once thawed, use within four hours.
• Listerine mouthwash-use full strength

Prevident: Home fluoride, cream or gel. Available by prescription only.

• Apply to teeth with dry toothbrush before bedtime. Use as directed.

MI Paste: Contains calcium and phosphate to desensitize and remineralize (strengthen) teeth.

MI Paste PLUS: Has additional ingredients to treat symptoms of dry mouth.

• Apply with finger or Qtip onto teeth. Do not rinse, eat or drink for 30 minutes.  Best to apply before bedtime.
• Place a small amount in whitening or other form fitted tray and place tray over teeth.
• Wear for 10 minutes twice daily.

Oral Care Products Ordering Information:

• Nuvora Corporation makes DENTIVA lozenges and SALESE (for dry mouth) lozenges. Phone number 877-530-9811, website www.nuvorainc.com.
• OraHealth sells XyliMelts (for dry mouth) and CankerMelts (for canker sores) lozenges. Phone number 877-672-6541, website www.orahealth.com.
• Biotene products-gum, mints, toothpaste, mouth rinse, available over the counter for dry mouth
• Smile Warehouse sells various excellent products. Phone 888-501-7830, website www.smilewarehouse.com.
• For ordering information on many other products visit www.caycecures.com

Deep Teeth Cleaning

Sensitivity to cold and heat will subside.

Do not chew or eat until numbness subsides.

Brush and floss as usual. Your gums may bleed a bit for a few days.

Use medicated mouth rinse as prescribed.

MI Paste Instructions

Custom Tray Application for Management of Tooth Sensitivity, White Spot Reduction, Cavity Prevention: to be done twice daily, preferably morning and night:

• Apply small amount of MI Paste to tray
• Brush teeth first, then place tray in mouth and leave in place for 5 minutes
• Remove tray
• Spread remaining (residual) MI Paste through mouth with tongue, leaving on as long as possible
• Expectorate (spit out) excess
• Do not rinse, eat, or drink for 30 minutes
• Rinse and brush remaining MI Paste from tray, allow to air dry

Tooth Extractions

Replace oral gauze every two hours until bleeding stops.

Use ice bags to help reduce swelling for 12 hours only.  After 24 hours, application of ice or heat is not recommended.  In fact, it may be detrimental to healing.

No rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, keep the wounds cleansed by gentle rinsing with warm salt water at least two times a day  Do not brush the surgical area, but you may gently brush the teeth around the surgical area.  Do not use mouthwash.

A liquid or soft diet is recommended for the first day or so.  As you are able to tolerate a more regular diet, you may do so.

Do not smoke or drink through a straw for 48 hours. This could break the clot that is forming and cause pain and complications.

Please follow the doctor’s directions regarding prescription medications.

Should you have any increased pain, swelling, bleeding, or other concerns, call our dental office immediately.

Teeth Whitening

1. Brush and floss your teeth.
2. Load tray by expressing one continuous bead of gel approximately one third to one half way up from the biting edge of the tooth, from molar to molar (in the tray). This will create a “ribbon” of material across the tray. This should use no more than one third to one half of a syringe.  A dot of gel can also be placed on the tongue side so that stains on the back sides of the teeth are removed.
3. Place the tray with the gel in your mouth and gently compress the tray to assure that the gel covers the entire front surface of the teeth.
4. Remove excess gel with your finger or a Q-tip. More or excess gel will only create more gum irritation!
5. Wear the tray for 30 minutes to one hour. To avoid sensitivity, do not exceed one hour.
6. After whitening, remove and rinse the trays with cold water. If necessary, use a toothbrush to remove any residual gel from the trays or on your teeth. Place the trays in the storage case and store them in a cool place.

The following should be avoided while whitening:

• Red or dark foods or drinks: white or clear are best
• Red meat
• Smoking

NOTE: If you experience extreme sensitivity with this technique, discontinue immediately and call our dental office. Some patients experience some sensitivity the first 2 to 3 days of whitening. This is normal and usually diminishes once treatment is completed.

Congratulations! You are well on your way to whiter, brighter teeth and a beautiful smile. We are pleased that you are as committed to high quality dental care as we are and it is our privilege to provide this service for you. Please call us at (724) 954-3650 if you have any questions. At Voller Dentistry, PC we care about you and want you to be as comfortable as possible.

If you’re happy with your results, tell your friends and family about us!

Temporary

Dental Restorations (Provisionals)

To prevent dislodging or breaking your provisional, do not eat sticky, hard, or tough foods. Avoid gum chewing.

Clean your mouth as you normally would. Be careful, however, when using floss. Remove the floss from the side instead of pulling it up through the contact.

Expect mild discomfort or sensitivity. In most cases, this can be controlled with over-the-counter analgesics, such as Tylenol or aspirin.

Call our dental office ASAP if the provisional loosens, falls off, or breaks. It is very important to keep the provisional in place so that proper spacing is maintained for the new restoration. If you cannot contact us when regarding damage to your provisional, or if the problem occurs after dental office hours, purchase temporary provisional cement at your local drugstore. We recommend Temp-It. This will hold the restoration in place. You may need to reapply the cement occasionally until we can provide you with a replacement.

BOTOX©

These guidelines have been followed for years and are still employed today to minimize the potential for developing the side effect of ptosis (drooping of the eyelids).

No straining, heavy lifting, vigorous exercise for 3-4 hours following treatment. It is now known that it takes the BOTOX©® approximately 2 hours to bind itself to the nerve to start its work, and because we do not want to increase circulation to that area to wash away the BOTOX©® from where it was injected.

Avoid manipulation of area for 3-4 hours following treatment, for the same reasons listed above. This includes not doing a facial, peel, or micro-dermabrasion after treatment with BOTOX©®. A facial, peel, or micro-dermabrasion can be done in same appointment only if they are done before the BOTOX©®.

Facial exercises in the injected areas is recommended for 1-hour following treatment. This is to stimulate the binding of the BOTOX©® only to the localized area.

It can take 2 -10 days to take full effect. It is recommended that the patient contact the dental office no later than 2 weeks after treatment if desired effect was not achieved and no sooner to give the BOTOX©® time to work.

Makeup may be applied before leaving the dental office.

JUVÉDERM© Injectable Gel & Dermal Fillers

DO NOT:  Touch, press, rub, or manipulate the implanted areas for the rest of the day after treatment. Avoid kissing, puckering and sucking movements for the rest of the day as these motor movements can undesirably displace the implanted dermal filler material. You can cause irritation, sores, and/or problems, and possible scarring if you do.

AVOID: Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A., Vitamin E, or other essential fatty acids at least 3 days after treatment.

AVOID: Alcohol, caffeine, niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates (you may eat fruit), spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours after your treatment.

AVOID: Vigorous exercise and sun and heat exposure for 3 days after treatment.

DISCONTINUE: Retin 2 days after treatment. It is best to wear no makeup or lipstick until the next day. Earlier use can cause pustules.

One side may heal faster than the other side.

You can expect some bruising and swelling around the areas that were injected. Apply ice for the first hour after treatment for ten minutes on and ten minutes off.

You must wait 2 weeks before any enhancements.

NOTE: Please report any redness, blisters, or itching immediately if it occurs after treatment.

Dentures

How long will it take to get used to wearing a full denture? For the first few weeks, your new denture may feel awkward or bulky. However, your mouth will eventually become accustomed to wearing it. Inserting and removing the denture may require some practice. Your denture should fit into place with relative ease. Never force the denture into position by biting down.

Wearing new dentures can be a somewhat trying experience for some patients, especially for the first time wearers. Initially, dentures may feel strange and bulky, and may cause a feeling of fullness of the lips and cheeks. In time, these feelings will subside, and you will feel more comfortable. Time and patience will be your biggest allies.

It is especially difficult to adjust to a lower denture. Try resting your tongue against the back of the front of the lower denture to help hold it in place. Until you learn good tongue and lip control, it may be wise to use adhesives to help hold your lower denture in place. Adhesives may also be useful for upper dentures. It is important to remember that a lower denture often “floats” on your lower gums and will not have the suction that your upper denture has. It will move around in your mouth, even out of your mouth, until you have mastered it. This takes time, willpower, and patience.

Other symptoms you may experience with new dentures are slurred or altered speech, gagging, excessive salivation, and unusual or diminished taste. Again, these symptoms usually disappear over time. However, if they continue, please contact our dental office to let us know about your particular difficulty. We are here to help you.

How long should I wear the denture? Initially, you may be asked to wear your denture all the time. Although this may be temporarily uncomfortable, it is the quickest way to identify those denture areas that may need adjustment. If the denture puts too much pressure on a particular area, that spot will become sore. One of our Team members will adjust the denture to fit more comfortably. After making adjustments, it is recommended that you take the denture out of your mouth before going to bed and replace it in the morning. This gives your tissues a chance to “rest”.

What will it be like eating with dentures? Learning to chew with new dentures takes time. Start with soft foods and gradually introduce more difficult foods. Chew on both sides of your mouth at the same time to stabilize your teeth. Avoid biting into foods with your front teeth as it may dislodge your dentures.

How do I care for my dentures? Handling a denture requires care. It’s a good idea to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water just in case you accidentally drop the denture. Brush the denture each day to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing your denture helps prevent it from becoming permanently stained. It’s best to use a brush that is designed for cleaning dentures. A denture brush has bristles that are arranged to fit the shape of the denture. A regular, soft-bristled brush is best. Avoid using a brush with hard bristles, which can damage the denture.

It is recommended that you use hand soap or mild dishwashing liquid to clean your denture. Other types of household cleaners and many types of toothpaste are too abrasive and will scratch the denture.

A denture could lose its proper shape if not kept moist. At night, the denture should be placed in water to soak.

Will my denture need adjusting? Over time, adjusting the denture may be necessary. As you age, your mouth naturally changes, which can affect the fit of the denture. Your bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, resulting in a loose-fitting denture. Dentures that do not fit properly should be adjusted by the dentist or a dental Team member. Loose dentures can cause various problems, including sores and infections. See Dr. Voller promptly if your denture becomes loose. You can do serious harm to your denture and to your health by trying to adjust or repair your denture. Using a do-it-yourself repair kit can damage the denture beyond repair. Glues sold over-the-counter often contain harmful chemicals and should not be used on a denture.

If your denture no longer fits properly, if it breaks, cracks, or chips, or if one of the teeth becomes loose or comes off, call our dental office immediately. In many cases we can make necessary adjustments or repairs, often the same day. Complicated repairs may require that the denture be sent to a special laboratory.

How often should I visit Dr. Voller? You should return yearly for an examination and an oral cancer screening. Having your mouth professionally monitored is vital for maintaining a healthy smile.