- 375 South End Avenue New York, NY 10280
- Mon - Sat: 9:00 - 6:00pm
After Sinus Lift
The following information applies when upper jaw bone height or width have been lost. The graft is placed to help restore your jawbone in preparation for possible implant replacement of the missing tooth or teeth.
You have had a Sinus Lift Augmentation procedure in your upper jaw. This procedure regains lost bone height in the area of your first and second molar and occasionally second premolar. It is an important procedure as it allows implant placement in an area that could not be implanted otherwise because of insufficient bone height due to an enlarged sinus.
The bone that has been grafted is most commonly a combination freeze-dried bone, artificial synthetic bone and your own bone. Because of this you may have two post-surgical wounds: the donor site and the recipient site.
Sinus Precautions
No nose blowing
No spitting
No straws
No heavy lifting
No bearing down (Valsalva maneuver)
Sneeze with your mouth open
No musical instruments requiring blowing
No blowing up balloons
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. BLOW YOUR NOSE FOR THE NEXT FOUR (4) WEEKS. This may be longer if indicated. You may sniff all you like but NO BLOWING.
Scuba diving and flying in pressurized aircraft may also increase sinus pressure and should be avoided. Decongestants such as Drixoral, Dimetapp, or Sudafed will help reduce pressure in the sinuses.
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection
Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse or spit on the day of your surgery. This tends to disturb the blood clot, open the wound and can prolong bleeding and slow healing. You should not have a significant amount of blood in your mouth. Saliva can be swallowed, even if slightly blood tinged.
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential to reduce the risk of infection. Start salt water rinses the day following your procedure. Use one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least four to five times daily and always after eating for the next five days.
Do not brush the teeth in the area of surgery for 48 hours. When brushing, be very gentle. When expectorating, also be gentle.
We may prescribe an antibiotic rinse (Chlorhexidine, PerioGard, and Peridex) for certain procedures. This rinse should be used in the morning and at bedtime after routine mouth care. Do not eat or drink or rinse your mouth after using the medicated rinse. Using this rinse more than two times a day will cause staining of your teeth.
Smoking
Do not smoke for at least two weeks after surgery, if at all. As discussed at your consultation, smoking dramatically increases the risk of bone graft and sinus augmentation failure. The Doctor can prescribe a NicoDerm patch if you feel you need it.
Wearing your Prosthesis or Nightguards
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery until your post-operative appointment unless specifically instructed otherwise. Please contact the office if there is any question. If you have a temporary flipper to wear do not place it until the numbness in the area is gone. When it is placed it should not touch the gums in the area of the surgery. If it does, this can cause ulceration of the wound edges and breakdown of the suture margins. This can lead to loss of the graft. If you have questions about the fit of your flipper, partial or complete denture, do not wear it until your general dentist or our office can see you.
Post-Operative Problems or Complications
As with any procedure, unexpected post-operative healing can occur. If you notice the unexpected flow of air or liquids between your mouth and nose, please let us know immediately.
If you are aware of several small particles of graft material being discharged from your nose, let us know as well.
If you experience sinus or nasal congestion on the side your surgery was performed, let us know.
If there is an increase in swelling in your mouth, cheek or under your eye after 3 days, let us know.
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office.
Scaling and root planing is a procedure that removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line in order to reduce inflammation and promote the adhesion of the gum tissue to the tooth’s roots. After scaling and root planing, there are certain post-op protocols for you to follow.
Post-Op Protocols for Scaling and Root Planing:
What can I expect after Scaling and Root Planing?
After scaling and root planing, you will need to avoid physical exercise, drinking through a straw, sucking motions, smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating hot, spicy foods.
When can I eat?
You can eat as soon as your mouth regains feeling. During your procedure, a local anesthetic will be used to numb your mouth and keep you comfortable. This will cause your lips, teeth, and tongue to remain numb for up to five hours after your procedure. The amount of time you will remain numb depends upon how much anesthetic was used, where it was used, and how fast your body metabolizes it. Because you can do damage to your mouth trying to eat when numb, we recommend waiting to eat until you have feeling in your mouth. Additionally, you will need to avoid foods that are hot or spicy, as well as avoid alcoholic beverages.
How do I manage my pain?
You can manage your pain with 3 tabs of 200mg Advil and 1 tab of 500mg Tylenol.
How do I care for the affected area?
To care for the affected area, you will need to adopt a gentle brushing and flossing technique for the first 3 days, then return to your usual dental routine. Additionally, you will need to rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water rinse. A warm salt water rinse is composed of one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. You will want to swish this mixture around inside your mouth, over your gums, then spit.
Tooth extractions are necessary when the affected tooth cannot be saved or is causing damage to the surrounding structures. During a tooth extraction, the affected tooth is removed from the mouth. After a tooth extraction, there are certain post-op protocols you will need to follow.
Post-Op Protocols for a Tooth Extraction:
What should I expect after my tooth extraction?
After your tooth extraction, you will need to allow your body to form a protective blood clot over the socket. For 24 hours after your tooth extraction, you will need to avoid the following:
Vigorous physical activity
Drinking through a straw or sucking
Swishing liquids in your mouth
Smoking (should hold off for four days if possible)
Drinking alcohol
Hot or spicy foods
Strong mouthwashes containing alcohol
Brushing your teeth
Using a rotary toothbrush (if you have a bone graft, you will need to wait 3 months)
Additionally, you may experience bleeding, swelling, nausea, and numbness.
Bleeding: If you start bleeding, you will want to gently bite down and exert slight pressure on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues, repeat for another 30 minutes. You can also use a tea bag in place of the gauze pad. If bleeding continues despite this, call our office for further instruction.
Swelling: You will likely experience some swelling after your extraction. Swelling usually peaks on the third day and then gets better from there. For the first two days, you can use ice for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. From day three on, you can use heat for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Nausea: You may experience nausea as an after effect from the anesthesia or from taking pain medication on an empty stomach. To reduce your nausea, take all pain medications with soft food and a large glass of water.
Numbness: the local anesthetic used during your extraction will keep you numb several hours after surgery and can even cause residual numbness or tingling sensations that may last for a few days or weeks. While you are numb, be careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the affected area, as you can cause damage and not be aware of it.
Please call our office if you have uncontrollable pain, excessive or severe bleeding, marked fever, excessive swelling that occurs three days after your extraction, or reactions to medications such as rash, itching, or breathing issues.
When and what can I eat?
You can begin eating as soon as you regain feeling in your mouth. For the first two days, it is recommended to eat soft, cool foods. Foods that are excessively hot or spicy can irritate the extraction site and cause additional bleeding. Ideal foods include: yogurt, scrambled eggs, applesauce, pudding, ice cream, steamed veggies, fish (without bones), mashed potatoes, pasta, cottage cheese, or any food that is not hard or chewy. You may also want to avoid foods that can become trapped in the extraction site, such as rice. You should also be sure to drink plenty of liquids while you recover. However, avoid alcoholic beverages for at least the first 48 hours, as alcohol can hinder the recovery process and may also interact with your medications.
How can I manage my pain?
After your extraction, some pain is to be expected. However, this can be managed with pain medications. You may be prescribed pain medication or recieve directions for over the counter pain medications. Be sure to follow all instructions regarding your pain medication and do not exceed the recommended dosages. We recommend starting your pain medications before the anesthetic wears off. Depending on the type and dosage of the pain medication you are taking, you may need to avoid driving or drinking alcohol.
How do I care for the extraction site?
To care for your extraction site, you will want to allow the blood clot to form and then avoid disturbing this blood clot. As mentioned before, you will want to abstain from smoking, drinking through a straw, sucking, and swishing liquid in the first 24 hours. In fact, drinking from a straw should be avoided for an entire week. You will also want to prevent crunchy food, toothpicks, eating utensils, or any sharp materials from entering the wound. You may also want to chew on the opposite site of your extraction site altogether.
Additionally, you will need to avoid brushing your teeth within the first 8 hours of your extraction. When you begin brushing again, do so very gently and avoid the extraction site. You will also need to avoid rinsing within the first 24 hours after your extraction, and then begin rinsing very gently with a warm salt water rinse. A warm salt water rinse is composed of one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. You will want to carefully swish this mixture around inside your mouth, then spit. During your recovery, you will need to avoid mouthwash with alcohol altogether.
You will also need to take any prescribed antibiotics as directed. While taking antibiotics, you may want to also take probiotics or eat yogurt to replenish the good bacteria in your gut. Also, if you are a woman, be advised that certain antibiotics will reduce the effectiveness of birth control.
About a week after your extraction, you will have a follow-up appointment to make sure everything is healing properly. If you had sutures placed, these will either fall out on their own or be removed about 3-4 weeks after your extraction.
Dentures are artificial teeth made from durable plastic resin and sometimes porcelain. Dentures effectively replace missing teeth and restore their function and aesthetics. Once your dentures are placed, there are certain post-op protocols you will need to follow.
Post-Op Protocols for Your Denture Placement:
What should I expect after my denture placement?
After your dentures are placed, you will undergo an adjustment period. During this adjustment period, you will likely experience mild discomfort, sore spots, and problems with speech. As your mouth becomes accustomed to your dentures, the mild discomfort and sore spots should fade. You may also need to have a few adjustments made to your dentures to help them fit more comfortably and to adjust your bite. The problems with your speech will also improve once your mouth adjusts to the dentures. To help with this, try reading out loud every day.
How do I take care of my dentures?
You should wear your dentures during the day and remove them at night to allow your gums to rest. At night, you should store your dentures in a glass of water or denture cleaning solution. When you remove your dentures, be sure to brush the roof of your mouth, gums, and tongue to remove any food particles and keep your mouth clean. You will also want to brush your dentures before placing them back in your mouth. You can also clean your dentures by soaking them in a denture cleaning solution once a week.
Over time, your jawbones and gums may change their shape. This can cause trauma to the gums and bone, as well as causing your dentures to feel loose. To ensure that your dentures still fit correctly, you will need to visit your dentist at least once a year to have them checked and adjusted as needed.
Do NOT eat anything until the anesthesia wears off, as you might bite your lips, cheek, or tongue and cause damage. You will probably have some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off; take your non-aspirin pain medication(s) as directed, whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter.
Medications:
Please take Ibuprofen or Advil 600 mg (equal to 3 tabs of over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Advil) every 4-6
hours for the next 3-5 days.
Please take it as instructed, whether the area hurts or does not hurt!!!
Do NOT exceed 2400 mg (12 tabs) in a 24 hour period!!!
OR
Please take Extra Strength Tylenol 1000 mg (equal to 2 tabs of over-the-counter Extra StrengthTylenol)
every 4-6 hours for the next 3-5 days.
Please take it as instructed, whether the area hurts or does not hurt!!!
Do NOT exceed 4000 mg (8 tabs) in a 24 hour period!!!
If and when you are taking Vicodin / Tylenol #3 / Ultram / Naprosyn, please only take 1 tab of
Extra Strength Tylenol.
You may have been given a prescription for a stronger pain reliever. This may be filled at any pharmacy
if the over-the-counter pain medication does not relieve your discomfort. If Vicodin / Tylenol #3 / Ultram /
Naprosyn is too strong, you can cut the pill in half. Please do NOT drive or operate heavy machinery while
you are taking Vicodin / Tylenol #3 / Ultram / Naprosyn.
An antibiotic may have been prescribed to prevent or minimize infection. Please take the antibiotics as instructed
until all tablets / pills are finished.
Discomfort:
Slight swelling of the operated area is not unusual. Even bruising and chapped lips may occur.
A reusable ice bag or a frozen vegetable bag, wrapped in a soft towel, may be applied to the area of surgery to
help minimize the swelling of your face. Alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off will usually be
adequate during the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. One to two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve minor swelling. Major swelling should be reported to the doctor at once.
You may experience some tooth sensitivity after surgery, especially to cold. Sensitivity usually decreases within several weeks after surgery and can be minimized by keeping the area as free of plaque as possible. If the sensitivity is extreme, contact the doctor for recommendations or medications to relieve the discomfort.
Dressing:
We may apply a periodontal dressing to protect the surgical site and keep you comfortable. The dressing will harden in a few hours. In most cases the dressing is left in the mouth for a period of 7-14 days and may be changed once or more by the doctor during this time. If the dressing becomes loose or comes off, please call our office as soon as possible to notify the doctor and receive further instructions. Maintain normal oral hygiene measures in the areas of your mouth not affected by the surgery. In areas where there is dressing, lightly brush only the biting surfaces of the teeth.
Please chew on the opposite side of your mouth and try to avoid the dressing as much as possible.
Be sure to keep your post-operative appointment to allow for removal of any dressings or sutures and to assess
your healing!!!
If you are instructed to wear a clear stent or an upper denture that covers up the roof of the mouth, do NOT REMOVE it for 24 hours NO MATTER WHAT!!! It may pool with blood, but leave it in there and just swoosh with
Chlorhexidine rinse or lukewarm salt water.
After 24 hours you are to wear it as much as you please, especially while you eat for your comfort.
Bleeding:
Minor bleeding, such as a pinkish tinge to your saliva, may occur during the first 48 hours following surgery. Avoid extremely hot foods for the rest of the day and do NOT rinse out your mouth, as these will often prolong the bleeding.
If bleeding continues, apply light pressure to the area with a moistened gauze or moistened tea bag. Keep in place for 20-30 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding has stopped. (NO PEEKING!) If bleeding increases or occurs
past the initial 48 hours, please call our office as soon as possible to notify the doctor and receive further instructions.
Avoid any strenuous physical activity for the next 2-3 days to prevent or minimize severe bleeding.
Eating / Diet:
Please follow a soft food diet, taking care to avoid the surgical area(s) when chewing. Chew on the opposite side and do NOT bite into food if the procedure was done in the front of the mouth. Avoid sticky, hard (such asice cubes, nuts, popcorn, chips), brittle, spicy, highly seasoned, or acidic foods in your diet. Foods such as soups, pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese etc. are best. Be sure to maintain adequate nutrition and drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid alcohol (even beer and wine) and smoking until after your post-operative appointment. Smoking is not advised during the 7-14 days following surgery.
Homecare:
Maintain normal oral hygiene measures in the areas of your mouth not affected by the surgery. In areas where there is dressing, lightly brush only the biting surfaces of the teeth. After you have eaten or you have snacked, please use
lukewarm salt water rinse 4-6X a day; 30 seconds of swooshing with each use. Vigorous rinsing should be avoided!
Starting tomorrow,
Please use Periogard, Peridex, or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse 2X (morning and night) a day; 30 seconds of
swooshing with each use.
Please do NOT play with the surgery area with your fingers or tongue.
Do NOT pull up or down the lip or cheek to look at the area and do not have someone else look at the area.
Just LEAVE IT ALONE!
Do NOT use a drinking straw, as the suction may dislodge the blood clot.
Avoid extremely hot foods. Cold foods such as ice cream or shake are OK as long as you use a spoon.
Try to relax and practice the best oral hygiene possible and your healing should progress well. If you have any questions
or concerns, please contact us.
Following surgery, your reflexes, depth perception and judgment will be impaired for several hours. A responsible party should stay with you for the remainder of the day to assist with meals, medication, navigation to the rest room, etc. If your procedure was for ‘Stage II’ (uncovering the implant), and you are not having IV sedation, you may drive yourself home.
If your procedure involved placing a dental implant(s), plan to rest for the remainder of the day with your head elevated about 30 degrees. Advance activity the next day, but take it easy; too much activity can increase swelling. If your procedure was for ‘Stage II’, you may resume normal activities.
After placement of dental implants, some degree of bruising and/or swelling is to be expected. Maximum swelling occurs within 48 hours following surgery and may last for several days. Apply ice packs to the outside of your cheek(s) every 15-20 minutes for the first 24 hours.
Blood in your saliva is normal for the first day or two. Place pressure on the area with the gauze provided in your post op pack, or use a moist tea bag and gently apply pressure for 10-15 minutes. If bleeding continues or is heavy, please call our office.
If you are having upper implants placed, it is not unusual to have a nosebleed within the first few days following surgery. Should this occur, pack nostrils with the gauze provided, and relax with your head elevated. The bleeding should stop shortly.
Brush your teeth as usual, keeping your mouth as clean as possible throughout your recovery. Avoid touching the bristles of your toothbrush to the area of surgery. Avoid water picks and electric tooth brushes for 2 weeks following surgery. The day after surgery, rinse with warm salt water twice a day. Avoid vigorous rinsing. If a prescription rinse has been ordered use as directed. Leave partials or denture(s) out unless otherwise instructed or until the doctor reinserts it for you.
You may begin taking medicationafter you have had fluids or something to eat. Take all prescribed medications as directed. The antibiotic must be taken until finished. DO NOT drive a car, operate machinery or drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescribed pain medications.
The stiches used will dissolve in 7-10 days following surgery. It is not unusual for small pieces of sutures to come out prior to this time. If the sutures need to be removed, you will be notified, and an appointment will be made for you. Avoid playing with your implant or caps with your tongue.
Avoid the area of surgery with chewing, as chewing on an implant can damage it. Drink plenty of fluids throughout your recovery to avoid dehydration. Continue with this diet until you are instructed otherwise. Avoid mobility at the site of the implant(s) until the healing phase is complete (2-6 months).
For the first few months following surgery, you will need to be on a soft diet where the implants were placed. Foods such as pudding, applesauce, scrambled eggs, soft flaky fish, pasta and casseroles are recommended. The soft diet can last as long as 2-6 months. Your surgeon will advise you regarding how long you need to continue the soft diet.
Chew foods only in the areas where you have natural teeth remaining. Do not chew hard food in the area of your implants for as long as 2-6 months. Your surgeon will advise you regarding how long you need to continue the soft diet.
Due to the local anesthetic, there may be numbness in the surgery site that may last 6-8 hours.
If medication was given intravenously, you may have some tenderness or bruising around the site of injection. Moist heat (warm, we cloth) or dry heat (heating pad on low heat) to the area the next day will help to ease any discomfort.
The first year following placement of your implant, oral hygiene maintenance will be required every 3 months to 6 months as directed by your dentist.
DO NOT smoke or use smokeless tobacco during your healing process. The tars and nicotine may delay healing or cause prolonged bleeding. Bisphosphonate therapy (Fosamax, Boniva, etc.), has been shown to cause osteonecrosis of the jaws which may result in loss of your implant(s).
Do not breast feed for 12 hours if you were sedated for surgery. If you are using oral contraceptives, please note that antibiotics and other medication may interfere with their effectiveness. An alternative form of birth control should be used for one complete cycle of birth control pills after the course of antibiotics or other medication is complete.
Do NOT eat anything until the anesthesia wears off as you might bite your lips, cheek, or tongue and cause damage. You
will probably have some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off; take your non-aspirin pain medications as directed
whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter.
Medications:
Please take Ibuprofen or Advil 600 mg (equal to 3 tabs of over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Advil) every 4-6
hours for the next 3-5 days.
OR
Please take Extra Strength Tylenol 1000 mg (equal to 2 tabs of over-the-counter Extra StrengthTylenol)
every 4-6 hours for the next 3-5 days.
You may have been given a prescription for a stronger pain reliever. This may be filled at any pharmacy
if the over-the-counter pain medication does not relieve your discomfort. If Vicodin / Tylenol #3 / Ultram /
Naprosyn is too strong, you can cut the pill in half. Please do NOT drive or operate heavy machinery while
you are taking Vicodin / Tylenol #3 / Ultram / Naprosyn.
Discomfort:
Slight swelling of the operated area is not unusual. Even bruising and chapped lips may occur.
Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. One to two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve
minor swelling. Major swelling should be reported to the doctor at once.
You may experience some tooth sensitivity after surgery, especially to cold. Sensitivity usually decreases within several
weeks after surgery and can be minimized by keeping the area as free of plaque as possible. If the sensitivity is extreme,
contact the doctor for recommendations or medications to relieve the discomfort.
Dressing:
There may be a periodontal dressing to protect the surgical site and keep you comfortable. The dressing will harden in a
few hours. In most cases the dressing is left in the mouth for a period of 7-14 days and may be changed once or more by
the doctor during this time. If the dressing becomes loose or comes off, please call our office as soon as possible to
notify the doctor and receive further instructions. Maintain normal oral hygiene measures in the areas of your mouth
not affected by the surgery. In areas where there is dressing, lightly brush only the biting surfaces of the teeth.
If you are instructed to wear a clear stent or an upper denture that covers up the roof of the mouth, do NOT
REMOVE it for 24 hours NO MATTER WHAT!!! It may pool with blood, but leave it in there and just swoosh with
Chlorhexidine rinse or lukewarm salt water.
After 24 hours you are to wear it as much as you please, especially while you eat for your comfort.
Bleeding:
Minor bleeding, such as a pinkish tinge to your saliva, may occur during the first 48 hours following surgery. Avoid
extremely hot foods for the rest of the day and do NOT rinse out your mouth, as these will often prolong the bleeding. If
bleeding continues, apply light pressure to the area with a moistened gauze or moistened tea bag. Keep in place for
20-30 minutes without looking to see if bleeding has stopped. (NO PEEKING!) If further bleeding increases or
occurs past the initial 48 hours, please call our office as soon as possible to notify the doctor and receive further
instructions. Avoid any strenuous physical activity for the next 2-3 days to prevent or minimize severebleeding.
Eating / Diet:
Please follow a soft food diet, taking care to avoid the surgical area(s) when chewing. Chew on the opposite side
and do NOT bite into food if the procedure was done in the front of the mouth. Avoid sticky, hard (such as ice cubes,
nuts, popcorn, chips), brittle, spicy, highly seasoned, or acidic foods in your diet. Foods such as soups, pasta,scrambled
eggs, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese etc. are best. Be sure to maintain adequate nutrition and drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid alcohol (even beer and wine) and smoking until after your post-operative appointment. Smoking is not
advised during the 7-14 days following surgery.
Homecare:
Maintain normal oral hygiene measures in the areas of your mouth not affected by the surgery. In areas where there is
dressing, lightly brush only the biting surfaces of the teeth. After you have eaten or you have snacked, please use
lukewarm salt water rinse 4-6X a day; 30 seconds of swooshing with each use. Vigorous rinsing should be avoided!!!
Starting tomorrow,
Please use Periogard, Peridex, or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse 2X (morning and night) a day; 30 seconds of
swooshing with each use.
Try to relax and practice the best oral hygiene possible and your healing should progress well. If you have any questions
or concerns, please call the office number listed below:
Now that your teeth are significantly whiter, there are a few guidelines to help maintain the look of your new smile.
Everyone’s teeth have a protective laver called the protein pellicule. This layer contains the surface dental stains and is removed during Zoom treatments.
It takes twelve to twenty four hours for the barrier to fully develop again. During this period, we ask you to avoid certain stain leaving foods and products Here is a list of what you CAN and CAN NOT eat or drink after the procedure.
You do not want eat any food with color (anything that would stain a white shirt)
for 48H after the procedure.
Drink:
milk, water, clear soda
Fruits:
bananas, apple (no peel)
White bread or flour tortillas
Plain yogurts, white cheese, sour cream
Cottage cheese, white rice, baked potato
Plain pasta and white sauce
Turkey or skinless breast
Red wine, dark cola’s, coffee, tea
Grapes or any fruit with color
Mustard or Ketchup
Red sauces
Soy sauce or steak sauce
No smoking and No lipstick
Red meat (steak or hamburger)
You may experience some tooth sensitivity
during this period. To prevent this,
take 600mg of Ibuprofen
(3 tabs of regular Advil or Motrin)
every 4 hours for 24 hours.
Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Even though our braces and wires are metal, they are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods, thus taking us longer to finish our treatment.
Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there are bacteria present. More significant than the amount of sugar you eat is the frequency of consumption.
Probably the worst thing you can do to your teeth is to drink a soda and have a sip every few minutes over a long period of time; the same is true for snacking. It is recommended that if you want to have a snack or soda or juice it is better to have it after food, as dessert, or have it in one sitting. Eating or drinking something sweet over an extended period of time creates a constant supply of sugar for bacteria that causes tooth decay!
It is important to be aware of all the sources of sugar that are out there. It is not just everything that is sweet, but anything that can turn to sugar like pieces of bread. Cutting down your sugar intake is good for cavity prevention, as well as your general health.
But what about when you have to have sugar? The best way to avoid cavities is to prevent the sugar from staying next to your teeth. Brushing after eating sugar, rinsing your mouth with Fluoride mouth wash, or chewing sugarless gum can help. However, nothing has the effect of avoiding sugar!
Is there any kind of food that prevents tooth decay? Well, not really. Some people believed that chewing foods like apples and carrots may have some plaque removal effect, but they still contain some sugar so any advantage is not clear.
Another group of food that causes significant damage to teeth structure is acidic foods. If in frequent contact with teeth, things like lime, lemon, and grapefruit can cause serious irreversible damage (erosion) to your teeth.
Make an appointment with Dr. Roytberg for a healthy dental future!
Find Us On Map
212-619-4070
Send an Email
