About You - Plymouth Dental Care and Advice

A few reminders of how to care for your retainers.

1. Clean with cold water & toothpaste only - hot water will distort the retainer.
2. Take your retainer out when eating & swimming. Keep it safe in the box provided.
3. If you loose your retainer please contact the practice ASAP otherwise your teeth may move. A new retainer will need to be made but unfortunately a charge of £45.00 per retainer will be made by the NHS.

To help your mouth heal it helps if you keep your mouth clean and healthy. The advice below will help prevent bleeding and relieve soreness

• REST - It is advisable to rest for a few hours following treatment and avoid strenuous exercise.
• RINSING - Do not rinse for at least 4 hours. For several days following your treatment rinse your mouth gently after meals and before retiring using a mouthwash made by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Hold solution in your mouth for several minutes, discard and repeat several times.
• FOOD - Avoid hot fluids, alcohol, hard or chewy foods. Choose cool drinks and soft or minced foods. Avoid sucking at or interfering with the wound.
• BLEEDING - Should slight bleeding occur sit upright with head and shoulders raised. Apply pressure using a small pad of gauze or clean linen clamped firmly between the jaws for 15 minutes - repeat if necessary.

If excessive bleeding, undue pain or other symptoms occur contact Highland Dental Care for advice without delay - 01752 893152. If the extraction site becomes sore and red you have probably got a dry socket. Keep taking pain killers and rinsing with salt water and contact the surgery for advice.

• Stay quietly at home, downstairs if possible
• Do not drive, operate machinery or make important decisions
• Eat and drink normally (soft foods)
• Take regular medication
• Do not look after small children

Telephone 01752 893152 for general enquiries or 07940395594 if you have an emergency

The actual treatment you receive during sedations varies but generally:

• Rest with head elevated and on an old pillow
• Take antibiotics if you are prescribed them
• You will generally be very numb for a few hours so take care not to bite or burn your lips

You may get some oozing of blood which often appears more than it really is as it mixes with saliva but if it persists then try to identify where it is coming from and bite down on a clean handkerchief for about 110 minutes. If this does not control it please ring the surgery.

• Be careful to no burn your mouth or lips if they are numb. The numbness will take 2-6 hours to wear off.
• Most fillings are now made of composite resins so are set hard before you leave the surgery. It is normal to get some sensitivity for up to 2 weeks after a filling and Ibuprofen or Paracetamol (please check and follow the advice leaflets before taking) can help but should not be taken for more than 1 week before seeking advice from the practice.
• If your teeth do not meet properly please contact the practice for advice.

• Please try and drop the patient off at the practice 10-15 minutes before the appointment time
• Please leave us with a contact number and not be too far away
• Avoid the patient or yourself having to look after young children if possible (especially for 1-2 hours after returning)
• After we have contacted you to say the patient is ready to be collected try to park nearby and come in to talk to us about any instructions for the patient as they will not remember them
• Then if you are happy to reverse up the hill to the archway we will advise you as to the best time
• If this is not possible then please park on the double yellow lines at the bottom of the hill and tell us you are there.
• We will escort the patient to the car
• Please go straight home and escort the patient to a comfortable chair.
• Please stay with the patient for the rest of the day

Do call 01752 893152 if you have any concerns or problems or 07595347848 for emergencies.

Some sensitivity after a filling can be normal and will settle in a few days but if your toothache is persistent please contact the practice for advice or an appointment.

Pain relief (please check and follow the information leaflet with the medication before taking any medication.)

1. Take Ibuprofen 400mg 6 hourly today, tomorrow and the day after
2. If you still have pain take 1000mg paracetamol with or in between the ibuprofen
3. If pain continues, continue with paracetamol and replace Ibuprofen with Neurofen Plus

Once you have new dentures you may notice some differences in your mouth and may experience some or all of the following:

• You feel less confident to speak or laugh
• You may feel you have less room for your tongue
• Eating hard foods may be difficult
• Food tastes different
• Your dentures may seem big
• You produce more saliva than normal

These are normal response to new dentures and will disappear in time, once you get used to them.

Wearing your dentures

Follow the advice of your dentist. To help you adapt, your dentist may advise you to wear your dentures all the time for several days.

Eating and drinking

Avoid hard or sticky foods and those with pips or seeds as they can get trapped under your dentures. Take care with very hot and cold foods. Your sense of taste may feel impaired but you will quickly adapt.

Biting and chewing

Take small bites and try to chew slowly and evenly both sides of the mouth

Speaking and hearing

Practice speaking in front of a mirror to give you confidence. Bite and swallow before you speak to ensure your dentures are in the right position. You may sound different to yourself but you don't to others.

Do have patience, it might take time but you will get used to your new dentures.

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