In each tray place a pencil-thin line or small dot in each tooth. (It is not necessary to bleach your molars, but this is up to you).

Place trays on your teeth. If you have excess bleach on your gums outside your trays, remove excess with q-tip or tissue. This also means you have placed too much bleach in your trays, so try using a little less next time.

You may bleach two, fifteen-minute sessions a day, or one thirty-minute session. If sensitivity occurs try bleaching every other day. You may also want to use toothpaste made for sensitivity issues. The bleaching process will take 10-12 days.

After bleaching rinse trays and place them back on your models, if these were provided. Keep excess bleach refrigerated.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the process!

Rinse with Chlorohexidine twice a day for 1 week.

You may start warm salt water rinses as many times as you would like (typically 4-5 times a day), starting the next day.

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

You may take the narcotic (Norco) with the Ibuprofen (not with Tylenol or acetaminophen).

The narcotic may make you drowsy, loopy, or upset your stomach, but if you begin seeing hives, please discontinue and call.

Eat whatever is comfortable. Dr. Jaeger ate prime rib the night he had his placed.

Return in 1 week to remove the sutures.

You may apply a cold pack for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, if you would like, to help 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. Please be careful brushing and 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, also, sticky, crunchy or coarse foods.

Tooth 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 fingertips. This will increase circulation and promote healing. Please make sure your hands are extra clean!

A 4 oz. bottle of Peridex will be given to you after your appointment. Swish 1 tablespoon in your mouth undiluted for 30 seconds, then spit out. Use after breakfast and before bedtime. Or, use as prescribed if different instructions have been provided.

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

Bite on damp/moist gauze for at least 30 minutes to slow/stop bleeding. At this time, please change your gauze, making SURE that it is damp. Keep changing at regular intervals until bleeding stops. Oozing from the socket is to be expected. Should bright red bleeding continue more than two hours post extraction, please call the clinic or your doctor.

Do not drink carbonated beverages for two (2) days.

Begin pain medication, if prescribed, after leaving the clinic. Always take pain medication with food, and remember to stick with things that are soft. Failure to eat when taking pain medication may result in nausea. If prescribed, continue any pre-operative medications as directed on the label until gone. Please eat regularly and drink lots of water.

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

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

Salt water rinses should be started 2 days following tooth removal. 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 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 help you better understand the process of getting 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. Please be patient with yourself and trust the process!

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 prothesis, 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 1 day (1 day being without denture) or a few days sent through the mail. We will discuss further when the time comes, as not all office have the same time-frame options.

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 new dentures.

Learn To use Your New Dentures:

Each person’s experience with getting dentures is an individual one, therefore, please be patient. Your process may be similar, but will be unlike anyone else, as everyone’s mouth structure and healing times vary. Please allow at least a week to ten days before your dentures feel more comfortable. If you have difficulty with speech at first, practice by reading or talking aloud. It will take practice! 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. Chewing on both sides will also be helpful. Learning to use your new denture will take time and patience! Please don’t hesitate to call us any time during the process if you have questions.

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. You can use regular liquid soap, or special denture toothpaste to do this. Regular toothpaste should not be used, as this can be very abrasive to the denture over time. Denture cleanser can be used, but only after you have scrubbed your dentures.

Please bring your dentures to your future appointments and we will soak them in a tartar remover solution to help keep them extra clean.

Dentures are slippery when wet, so please brush them over a sink 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. It also can be helpful to develop the habit of examining your mouth in the mirror. This is the best insurance against oral diseases and damage to your tissues. If you notice anything different, let us know.

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.

REMINDER: Dentures are not a final treatment. Your gums can change or recede over time. Periodic examinations and treatment by the doctor will be necessary. Home remedies for ill-fitting dentures will aggravate the situation and probably cause greater bone and tissue loss. Please contact us any time you notice a change.

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