Northern Smiles After Care
Dental After Care in North Phoenix, AZ
After Care
Post Op Instructions
At Northern Smiles Dentistry one of our goals is to provide you with as much helpful communication as possible. We so much appreciate your trust in us in allowing us to treat and provide dental care for you and your family.
Your comfort and health are important to us. Please use these post-operative instructions as a helpful guide on what to expect and measures to take following your dental procedures. From what you can eat or drink following an operation, to the cleaning and care techniques that are most beneficial for maintaining the beautiful results of your procedure.
Dental Implants
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness for a few days
Learn MoreTooth Extraction & Bone Graft
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness for a few days
Learn MoreScaling & Planing
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness for a few days
Learn More
Device Description & Intended Use
ClearCorrect aligners are made from thermoplastic polyurethane. The ClearCorrect system is indicated for the treatment of malocclusion in patients with permanent dentition. The ClearCorrect system positions teeth by way of continuous gentle force.
Post Op Instructions
Dental Implants After Care
The team at Northern Smiles Dentistry provides dental implants in a way that is comfortable and functional. We take the time to make sure that every aspect of the procedure is completed correctly – the first time.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following dental implant treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. It is normal to ooze minor amounts of blood for the next 48 hours. Minimize any bleeding by applying a folded, moist gauze pad over the implant site and apply moderate bite pressure to the gauze. Change the gauze every hour until the gauze reaches a light pink color. At that point it is safe to discontinue the use of gauze. Limit your physical activities such as exercising for 3-5 days to keep blood pressure stable and reduce bleeding. If you wear a removable partial or denture we will give you specific instructions about wearing it while your implant(s) heal.
Medications, Discomfort, and Swelling
If antibiotics and/or pain medication are prescribed, take them as directed. You may take Ibuprofen before your local anesthetic wears off. To reduce discomfort or swelling for the first 24 hours after oral surgery use an ice pack. Place ice pack over the affected area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. 24 hours after oral surgery, you may use a heat pack-20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, except the implant site. For the first 14 days, gently wipe the implant site with cotton gauze or cotton swab. After 14 days, gently brush the implant site with a soft bristled toothbrush. 24 hours after your dental implant placement procedure, begin rinsing with warm salt water 3 times a day to maintain a clean mouth and aid with healing (mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 6 ounces of warm water). Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental implant failure.
Chewing and Eating
Avoid chewing food until your local anesthetic has completely worn off. Begin with a nutritious soft food diet for the first 24 hours. Gradually add solid foods to your diet, chewing solid food on the opposite side of mouth. Avoid spicy and acidic foods while your gum tissue heals.
Tobacco Use
It is highly recommended that you avoid tobacco product use for overall success of dental implants. Tobacco slows healing and increases the risk of your body rejecting the implant. Tobacco use is a cause of implant failure.
Post Op Instructions
Tooth Extraction & Bone Graft After Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness for a few days.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following tooth extraction and/or bone graft treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. It is normal to ooze minor amounts of blood for the next 48 hours. Minimize any bleeding by applying a folded, moist gauze pad over the implant site and apply moderate bite pressure to the gauze. Change the gauze every hour until the gauze reaches a light pink color. At that point it is safe to discontinue the use of gauze. Limit your physical activities such as exercising for 3-5 days to keep blood pressure stable and reduce bleeding. No use of a straw. Any beverage that requires a straw, use a spoon instead.
Medications, Discomfort, and Swelling
If antibiotics and/or pain medication are prescribed, please take them as directed. You may take over the counter medication before your local anesthetic wears off. To reduce discomfort or swelling for the first 24 hours after oral surgery you may use an ice pack. Place wrapped ice pack over the affected area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. 24 hours after oral surgery, you may use a heat pack-20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, except the actual extraction site. 24 hours after your tooth extraction, begin rinsing with warm salt water at least 3 times a day to maintain a clean site and aid with healing (mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 6 ounces of warm water).
Chewing and Eating
Avoid chewing food until your local anesthetic has completely worn off. Begin with a nutritious soft food diet for the first 24 hours. Gradually add solid foods to your diet, chewing solid food on the opposite side of mouth. Avoid spicy and acidic foods while your gum tissue heals.
Tobacco Use
It is highly recommended that you avoid tobacco product use for ideal healing of extraction sites and bone graft placement (if applicable to you). Tobacco slows healing and increases the risk of your body rejecting the bone graft (if applicable). Tobacco use will lead to delayed healing of an extraction site and possible infection.
Post Op Instructions
Scaling and Planing After Care
Scaling and root planing is only the first step in returning your mouth to optimal health. The single most important things that determines how much healing we get is how you take care of your teeth and gums at home. You need to practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular check-ups and staying with the gum maintenance schedule your hygienist recommends.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following scaling and planing treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also feel some tenderness in your jaw from keeping it open for an extended period of time. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond very well to over-the-counter pain medications. It is important for you to follow the instructions on how to take these medications. Please avoid smoking as it greatly impedes healing.
Oral Hygiene
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water 4-6 times per day; 30 seconds of swooshing with each use, including after eating or snacking. Salt water rinse can be made by dissolving one tablespoon of salt in a n 8oz. glass of water. Start home care as instructed. Do not be concerned if there is mild bleeding during brushing for a few days following scaling and root planing.
Chewing and Eating
Do not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth wears off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek, lips, or tongue.
Post Op Instructions
Root Canal After Care
Root canal treatment is only one step in returning your tooth to full function. A proper final restoration of the tooth is extremely important in ensuring long-term success.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following root canal treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. You may also experience some jaw fatigue from keeping it open during the appointment. The symptoms are temporary and can be relieved with over the counter pain medications.
Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth as you normally would. If your tooth as been prepared for a crown during the same appointment, avoid flossing the temporary crown to avoid pulling it off. Contact us right away if either temporary restoration comes off or breaks.
Chewing and Eating
Avoid eating and chewing until your numbness has completely worn off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek, lip, or tongue. Begin with a soft food diet for the first 24 hours. Gradually add solid foods to your diet. If a temporary filling is placed, avoid flossing the area, sticky foods and candies to avoid pulling out the filling.
What The Future Holds
A tooth that has had endodontic treatment followed by a proper restoration can last as long as your other natural teeth. After the tooth has been restored, practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings.
Your dentist or endodontist may periodically x-ray the tooth to ensure that healing has occurred. Occasionally, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal and symptoms continue. Also, a tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after initial endodontic treatment. When this occurs, repeating the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.
Post Op Instructions
Crowns & Bridges After Care
At Northern Smiles Dentistry, we offer comprehensive dental services in one location to help get your smile back on track, including dental crowns and bridges.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following cron and bridge treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process. Crown and bridge procedures usually take two to three appointments to complete. At the first visit, the teeth are prepared and a temporary crown or bridge is placed with temporary cement while the permanent restoration is being fabricated. The temporary restoration protects the tooth/teeth, helps you function to chew food, and stabilizes the tooth/teeth.
Medications, Discomfort, and Swelling
The gum tissue around the prepared teeth may be sore for a few days. You may rinse your mouth with warm salt water (put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse, and spit) to reduce pain and swelling. Your tooth may feel sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, sweets, or biting. This is common and should subside in a few days. If the sensitivity is bite related, your temporary restoration may need a simple bite adjustment. Please call and schedule.
Oral Hygiene
Be careful brushing and avoid flossing the temporary. This may cause it to dislodge. Should a temporary inadvertently come off, place it back on the tooth and contact our office to have it re-cemented. Your temporary may feel textured to your tongue. It may not be the same shape or color as the permanent restoration. You can feel confident that your new restoration is being made using state-of-the-art materials by the finest laboratories and technicians.
Chewing and Eating
Avoid eating until your local anesthetic has completely worn off to prevent biting your cheek, lips, or tongue. Do not eat anything sticky, hard, or chewy as this may pull the temporary crown off or break it.
Post Op Instructions
Composite Filling After Care
A proper restoration can last as long as your other natural teeth. After the tooth has been restored, practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, regular checkups and cleanings.
General Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness in the treated area for a few days following composite filling treatment as your body undergoes the natural healing process.
Bite Adjustment
We do our best to correct your bite after the fillings are placed and before you leave our office. Sometimes, patients can experience a “high” or sensitive bite after the anesthetic has worn off. This is an indication that the bite needs an adjustment. It takes no more than a few minutes to adjust your bite. It is of no charge to you and the bite pressure is relieved instantly. Prolonging a bite adjustment of a new restoration will lead to a toothache, it does not go away on its own.
Hot & Cold Sensitivity
You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness. This usually subsides within a few days. Soft tissue soreness can be relieved with warm salt water rinses that you can make at home. Mix 4-6 ounces of lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Stir and swish at least 2 times a day, morning and at night. You may rinse for a few days until the soft tissue is healed.
Chewing and Eating
Do not eat on your new filling for one hour and until your numbness is gone. You want to avoid accidentally biting your cheek, tongue, or lip while still numb. Local anesthetic can last between 2-5 hours, depending on your metabolism and how much local anesthetic was administered. You may enjoy a soft food diet, such as a smoothie if you need to eat while still numb. If you are supervising children who had fillings placed, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss as normal after the numbness from the anesthetic wears off.
Post Op Instructions
Full or Partial Denture After Care
It is common to experience minor to moderate tenderness for a few days.
General Care
When cleaning a partial denture, it’s a good idea to stand over a folded towel or a sink of water just in case you accidentally drop the denture.
Medications, Discomfort, and Swelling
If antibiotics and/or pain medication are prescribed, please take them as directed. You may take over the counter medication before your local anesthetic wears off. To reduce discomfort or swelling for the first 24 hours after oral surgery you may use an ice pack. Place wrapped ice pack over the affected area 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. 24 hours after oral surgery, you may use a heat pack-20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
When should you call us after a procedure?
Each set of instructions above ends with the same section. This is all of them in one place — if any of these apply to you, call rather than wait it out.
| After this procedure | Call us if |
|---|---|
| Dental Implants | If you have severe pain,pressure, or run a high fever (over 100˚F); Bleeding that will not stop or lasts for more than several hours; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
| Tooth Extraction & Bone Graft | If you have severe pain,pressure, or run a high fever (over 100˚F); Bleeding that will not stop or lasts for more than several hours; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
| Scaling and Planing | If you have severe pain or pressure that lasts for more than a few days; Visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
| Root Canal | If you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days; Visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); Return of original symptoms; Your bite feels uneven; For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
| Crowns & Bridges | If you have severe pain,pressure, or run a high fever (over 100˚F); Bleeding that will not stop or lasts for more than several hours; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
| Composite Filling | If you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days; Visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; Allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); Your bite feels uneven; For any after-hours emergency, call Dr. Stansberry at 602-614-1663 |
Our hours are Monday to Friday. Anything that cannot wait is an emergency dental appointment in North Phoenix, and our office is on 16th Street between Glendale and Northern Avenues — a short trip from Sunnyslope, Moon Valley or North Mountain if you need to be seen. Directions and hours are on our North Phoenix dental office page.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Troy Stansberry, D.D.S.
Dr. Troy Stansberry grew up in Phoenix, AZ and attended Creighton University for his bachelors, and Creighton School of Dentistry for his D.D.S. degree.
Meet Dr. StansberryBook Now
Request An Appointment
Feel free to contact us at Northern Smiles Dentistry with any questions or concerns
Opening Hours
- Monday 07:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Tuesday 08:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Wednesday 07:30 AM - 2:00 PM
- Thursday 07:30 AM - 3:00 PM
- Friday 07:30 AM - 2:00 PM
- Saturday - Sunday Closed
Get In Touch
Email Address northernsmiles@gmail.com
Phone Number (602) 944-9197
