Learn how to cope with excess saliva, sore spots and more after starting to wear your denture or partial.

After Care for Full & Partial Dentures

Adjustment

Getting used to a new denture or partial takes time. Follow Dr. Loi Ta’s advice: be patient and don’t get discouraged.

Excess Saliva

At first, the denture may feel too large and may cause saliva to flow more freely. You can keep a piece of candy in your mouth to help absorb the excess saliva. You can also swallow more often. After your mouth gets used to the the denture or partial being in place, your salivary flow will return to normal.

Eating & Chewing Tips

Your gums may feel tender from the new denture or partial and you’ll need to adjust your eating habits initially.

• Eat only soft foods the first few days of wearing your new denture or partial

• Eat small portions of food several times a day

• Reduce your mouthful to half the usual amount, or less

• Chew thoroughly before swallowing

• Avoid large meals until you can handle them

• If gums become sore, take your dentures out for a rest

Speaking

Speaking may feel odd at first because your tongue has to adapt to new positions to form words. Practice reading aloud or talking before a mirror and you’ll soon adjust and be able to speak easily.

Sore Spots

It is to be expected to have some sore spots on your gums after having a denture or partial inserted. You need to rinse your mouth with warm salt water at least two times per day. If sore areas do not go away, call your dentist and arrange an appointment for an adjustment of your denture and/or partial.

Read about what/what not to do after sodium fluoride varnish has been applied to your child’s teeth.

After Care for Sodium Fluoride Varnish

Sodium Fluoride Varnish is a treatment that safely delivers fluoride and a protective coating to the tooth surface. For maximum benefit please follow these recommendations:

• DO NOT brush or floss for at least 4-6 hours.

• Feed a soft food diet for the rest of the day after treatment.

• Avoid hot drinks and products containing alcohol (beverages, oral rinses, etc.) for the rest of the day after treatment.

Your child will be able to feel the varnish on his/her teeth. Once brushing or flossing is resumed, the varnish will be removed from the tooth surface over the next several days.

Your child can eat and/or drink one hour after the varnish is applied.

Learn about common issues after an extraction as well as care instructions and tips.

After Care for Tooth Extraction

Anesthetics

The length of time you experience numbness varies, depending on the type of anesthetic you’ve received. While your mouth is numb, you’ll want to be careful no to bite your cheek, lip or tongue.

Swelling and Pain

After the tooth is removed, you may have some discomfort and swelling. Cold compresses (ice pack or moist cloth) to the face may help.

Bleeding

Your dental assistant will place wet gauze on the extraction site to limit bleeding and confine blood while clotting takes place. Gauze should be left in place for 30 minutes. Do not chew on the gauze. There may be some oozing after the gauze is removed—if so, follow this procedure:

• Fold a piece of clean gauze, dampen and place on the extraction site.

• As an alternative to gauze pads, a moistened tea bag can be used, as tannic acid helps blood vessels contract.

• Apply moderate pressure by closing teeth over the pad or tea bag for about 30 minutes.

• Replace with clean gauze as needed. A slight amount of blood may leak until a clot forms.

If heavy bleeding continues, call our office at (575) 392-4290.

Blood Clot

After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket. This is an important part of the healing process. Here is how to protect it:

• DO NOT smoke, or rinse your mouth viorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours.

• DO NOT clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You shouldn’t brush and floss your other teeth. Gently rinse your mouth afterward.

If you have sutures, your dentist will instruct you when to return to have them removed.

Diet

After the extraction, drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids. Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew comfortably. For about two days, try to chew food on the opposite side of the extraction. DO NOT drink carbonated beverages for 24 hours after the extraction.

Rinsing

The day after extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half teaspoon salt in 8oz. of water) three to four times a day. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously. Avoid using a mouth rinse or mouthwash during this early healing period.

Oral Hygiene

It is important to continue to floss your teeth and brush thoroughly at least twice a day. Always use a soft-bristled brush so that you do not injure the tissues in your mouth.