In each tray, place a thin pencil line or small dot in each tooth. It is not necessary to bleach your molars unless your smile includes them. This is up to you depending on how wide your smile is.

Place trays on your teeth. If you have excess bleach on your gums on the outside of your trays, remove excess with q-tip or tissue. This also means you have placed too much bleach in your trays, and you should place less the next time you bleach.

You may bleach two fifteen-minute sessions per day or one thirty-minute session. If sensitivity occurs, try bleaching every other day or a couple times per week. You may also want to use sensitivity toothpaste during bleaching process. The bleaching process will take 10-12 days (depending on the stain on your teeth).

After bleaching, rinse trays and rinse mouth then place trays back in your case. Keep excess bleach refrigerated.

Rinse with Chlorhexidine twice a day for one week.

You may start warm saltwater rinses as many times as you would like starting the next day (we suggest typically 4-5 times a day).

Take ibuprofen for 2 days - typically 800 mg every 6-8 hours is the maximum dose.

You may take the narcotic (Norco) with the ibuprofen. Do NOT take Tylenol (acetaminophen) with it.

The narcotic may make you drowsy, loopy or upset your stomach. If you begin seeing hives, please discontinue the use of the drug and call our office.

Eat anything that is comfortable for you to eat. Dr. Jaeger ate prime rib the night he had his placed!

Return one week later to remove the suture.

You may apply a cold pack, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, if you would like to decrease swelling.

Tenderness is normal. To reduce tenderness and promote healing, every two to three hours rinse with warm salt water: 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 4-ounce glass of water.

Gently brush and floss the treated area as normal. Please be careful brushing and always use a toothbrush with soft bristles. You may moisten the brush with warm water if tissues are tender.

Tylenol or ibuprofen may be used as recommended for discomfort.

Highly nutritious food is necessary for the healing process. Avoid foods that require excessive chewing and also sticky, crunchy or coarse foods.

Tooth/gum sensitivity is normal and temporary. You may use a desensitizing toothpaste, such as Sensodyne, or any major brand for sensitivity relief.

You may also gently massage the areas treated with your washed fingers. This will increase circulation and promote healing.

Do not smoke for at least 24 hours. Do not spit, drink through a straw or suck on anything.

Remove gauze pad after one hour and do not replace. Oozing from the socket is to be expected. Should bright red bleeding continue more than two hours post extraction, please call the office or your doctor.

Do not drink carbonated beverages for two days.

Begin pain medication, if prescribed. One will be taken after leaving the office. Always take pain medication with food. Instant breakfast, nutrition drinks, milkshakes and any soft foods are acceptable after an extraction. Failure to eat when taking pain medication may result in nausea. Continue any pre-operative medications as directed on the label until gone. Consume at least one cup of soft food every 4 hours. Drink lots of water.

If recommended by your doctor, ice packs may be applied to the face in the area of extraction for six hours. Cold should be applied 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. A bag of frozen food wrapped in a small dish towel makes an acceptable ice pack.

Should fever or swelling occur the day after extraction, please contact the office or your doctor.

Saltwater rinses should be started two days following tooth removal. 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 4 oz. of warm water works best. 3-5 rinses per day for 5-7 days are usually sufficient.

The dentures you have received are a replacement for your missing teeth. They will provide better support for your jaw, restore your chewing abilities and achieve your desired appearance. The following information will inform you about immediate dentures. Please do not hesitate to ask questions.

Your dentures were made to fit the anticipated shape for your mouth after the removal of the teeth. Modifications to the denture are always necessary and will continue during the healing period. Many changes have occurred at one time, and it will take time to become adjusted to your new dentures.

The First 24 Hours:

It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep the immediate denture in your mouth until the doctor sees you the day after surgery. The denture serves as a dressing to help stop the bleeding. If the denture is removed, you may not be able to replace it due to swelling of the tissue.

Changes Of The Mouth:

You may experience some of the following commonly known symptoms that occur when an immediate denture is delivered.

-Immediate Swelling

-Increase in Saliva

-Speech Alteration

-Discomfort

-Gagging

-Difficulty swallowing

-Mouth Odor

-Minor Bleeding

-Difficulty Chewing

All of the above mentioned symptoms can be resolved once you’ve become more familiar with the new prosthesis and as minor adjustments are made by the doctor.

First Post-Delivery Appointment:

The day after you receive your dentures the doctor will see you to adjust the denture for sore areas, the bite and any other initial problems. You will be given further instructions for the use of the dentures at this appointment.

Further Appointments:

As you heal and use the dentures during the weeks after surgery, the dentures will occasionally become loose due to the normal shrinkage of the gums from healing. This will be adjusted as needed until healing is complete.

6 Months to a Year:

When healing is complete, the immediate denture(s) will be relined as discussed with you previously. An impression will be taken with the existing denture and then will be sent to the lab for a reline. This can either be done in one day, meaning one day being without the denture, or a few days sent through the mail. We will discuss further when the time comes.

The new dentures you have received are a replacement for your missing teeth. They will attempt to restore support to the jaw, increase your chewing ability and improve your appearance. This information sheet will assist you with your adjustment to the new dentures.

Learn To Use Your New Dentures:

Each person is an individual, therefore, please be patient. your experience will be unlike anyone else. Please allow at least a week to ten days before your dentures feel as though they are part of your body. If you have difficulty with speech at first, practice by reading or talking aloud and you will soon master this problem. It is normal to have difficulty chewing efficiently during your fist few meals. Some suggestions are to cut food into small pieces, consume small amounts at a time and eat slowly. Eating on both sides simultaneously will also be helpful. Learning to use your new denture will take time and patience.

Denture Care:

Always keep your mouth and your denture as clean as possible. Failure to do so may result in damage to your gums. We recommend that you remove and clean your dentures after each meal and remove them at night to let your tissues breathe. You can use regular liquid soap or special denture toothpaste to do this. Regular toothpastes are not to be used as this can be very abrasive to the denture over time. Denture cleansers can be used, but only after you have scrubbed your dentures.

Bring your dentures into your recall appointments and we will soak them in tarter remover solution to clean them as well as inspect them.

Dentures are slippery when wet. Ensure to brush them over a basin filled with water or over a towel. If you should drop and damage the denture, please DO NOT attempt to make your own repairs.

When your dentures are out of your mouth, store them in fresh clean water. This prevents the plastic from drying and warping. Develop the habit of examining your mouth in the mirror. This is the best insurance against oral diseases and damage to your tissues.

Returning Appointments:

Your first scheduled appointment after receiving your new dentures is a very important office visit. The doctor will treat any sore tissues or make adjustments that may need to be done at that time. Several return appointments may be necessary until you are completely comfortable.

Dentures are not a final treatment. Your gums can change or recede overtime. Periodic examinations and treatment by the doctor will be necessary. Home remedies for ill-fitting dentures will aggravate the situation and can cause greater bone and tissue loss.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dentures or your oral health, please give our office a call. Thank you!