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DENTAL INFO

Anxiolysis / Sedation

The aim of anxiolysis is to make you relaxed enough sleepy (delete) so we can get on with doing a good job.  For many people it also has an amnesic effect meaning you may not remember all of the appointment.  It is not a general anaesthetic and will not make you go to sleep but many people often fall asleep.

The medication works better if you do not eat for four hours before having the medicine.  You will need to bring an adult with you who can drive you back home and look after you for the rest of the day.  It is very important not to drive, operate machinery, sign any legal documents, look after young children or breast feed for 24 hours after the appointment.

Like any medication, it carries some risk.  I am happy to talk you through these. We need to make sure you are breathing properly and use a small monitor on your finger to measure your oxygen levels.

Post Operative Instructions

Tooth Extraction – On the day of the surgery

  • Do not rinse your mouth out on the day of the extraction
  • No vigorous exercise
  • No hot drinks, cold drinks are OK
  • If there is bleeding of bright blood, bite firmly on the gauze provided for 15 minutes.  Some dilute bleeding is normal
  • Use pain relief as directed

Tooth Extraction – The day after the surgery

  • Begin warm salt water rinses (¼ tsp salt in a tumblr of warm water) after every meal and before bed for 5 days
  • Brush your teeth as normal as possible
  • Sutures used are dissolvable. Require removal after 1 week unless they are desolvable.
  • If you notice swelling, a cold ice pack on the side of your face may help with this.
  • Smoking is very disruptive to the healing process and you are advised not to.

Tooth Extraction – Following days

Sometimes a dry socket can occur following tooth removal.  They are more common in smokers, if the extraction was difficult or if there was infection.  If the socket pain is getting worse and not better 4-5 days following an extraction, you may need a dry socket dressing.

Teeth Whitening Kit

Instructions for Use

  • Floss and brush teeth
  • Syringe a small amount of bleach into the trays on the side that touches the front / smiling side of your teeth
  • Take care not to get any bleach outside the tooth that will touch the gum
  • Insert trays for prescribed amount of time depending on bleach concentration
  • Remove trays, rinse mouth thoroughly and brush teeth
  • Rinse and clean trays
  • Continue until desired shade is achieved

Sensitivity is normal during bleaching, it does go away again.  If sensitivity is bad, stop bleaching until it resolves before continuing again.  Less contact time for the bleach may also be required. A sensitive toothpaste may help. A “top up” bleach of a few nights may be required every 6 months or so.

After bleaching, using GC Tooth Mousse Plus may help maintain long term colour.  It also strengthens teeth and reduces sensitivity. Tooth Mousse is available at Bay Dental Care.

Wisdom Tooth Removal

90% of people have wisdom teeth and about 33% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth are a problem because they can cause decay, gum disease or resorption of the tooth next door.

Sometimes the tissue surrounding the tooth gets inflamed or infected (pericoronitis) or a cyst can grow.

The most common treatment of an impacted wisdom tooth is remove it. There are risks with removal which we discuss with every single patient. The removal of lower wisdom teeth can cause a change of sensation to the lower lip and tongue if nerves get bruised or damaged. The risk is small and we can assess that risk from X-rays and advise accordingly.

If we think you are a risky case we might refer you to our local oral surgeon.