After an exam and hygiene. Generally, we ask you not to eat, drink or rinse for 30 minutes after the appointment. Sometimes patients haven’t experienced a hygiene cleaning in a while if at all, and it is common for the teeth and gums to feel a little tender afterward. Not to worry, this discomfort is only occasionally experienced, and is very reversible. The best approach would be salt water rinsing, and panadol if required that day.
After a dental procedure. If local anaesthetic was used, it may take a couple of hours to wear off. You will first notice a tingling sensation followed by feeling restored to your teeth, gums, lips, and jaws. Occasionally a tooth is a little tender after a procedure, and the best approach for this is a water salt water rinse as well as panadol as required.
After tooth removal. Your dentist should give you written and verbal instructions on how to care for your mouth afterwards. But generally, you can expect to be a little numb after, be on strong pain killers for a few days, and you may be advised to stay home from work and avoid exercise for 24 hours. Also, you’ll be asked not to rinse for 24 hours, followed by a period of gentle salt water rinsing. If stitches were placed, you will receive a follow-up visit to remove them, which is essentially pain-free.
How often to visit. The majority of the population need to visit six-monthly. Some patients who are higher-risk for dental problems visit 3-monthly, and some low-risk patients every 9-12 months. Your dentist will be happy to discuss risk-factors and any early signs of disease with you to recommend an optimal regime.
