Aftercare

At-Home Whitening Aftercare

You are beginning a treatment process that will most definitely improve your appearance. The amount of whitening you obtain during whitening is dependent on three factors: 1) The length of time the appliance is worn; 2) the number of times the appliance is worn; and 3) the susceptibility of your teeth and/or internal colors to the whitening agent. Results vary, but most patients are ecstatic about having whiter teeth. A touch up whitening may be done every four to six months for one or two applications to maintain the desired result.
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Child’s Dental Extractions Aftercare

Watch your child … your child should NOT bite or chew on their lip or tongue. Anesthetic will take 1-1/2 to 3 hours to wear off.
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Complete & Partial Denture Aftercare

Follow preventive care and diet instructions as closely as possible.

Your denture and partial should not be worn at night at any time.

Support tissues under denture and partial should be cleaned twice daily by using a soft cloth to massage and brush with soft bristle brush.

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Cracked Teeth Aftercare

You have a commonly occurring problem in one or more of your teeth. Several factors cause teeth to crack. Over time, the normal use of your teeth places a great deal of stress on them. Also chewing ice, hard foods and inadvertently biting on an unexpected hard object can cause a tooth to crack.
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Dental Appointment Aftercare

Get a good night’s rest.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco or caffeine products at least three hours before your appointment.

Take prescribed medication as directed.

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Dental Extractions Aftercare

Bite on gauze for 1-1/2 hours to protect the blood clot. If bleeding continues, bite on extra gauze provided for at least one hour. If bleeding still continues, moisten one tea bag and place on area of extraction and bite on for one more hour. If bleeding persists, call the office for additional instructions.

Don’t rinse or spit out the remainder of the day following the extraction.

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Dental Fillings Aftercare

Eat something soft the remainder of the day.

A clean mouth heals faster. However, be gentle in cleaning the area of your fillings for 24 to 48 hours.

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Fluoride Trays Aftercare

Brush and floss teeth before bedtime.

Put fluoride in tray.

Snap fluoride tray on teeth.

Wear fluoride tray one to two times every day for five minutes each time.

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Healing Denture Aftercare

Following the extraction of your teeth, the healing dentures will be placed. Leave your dentures in for approximately 24 hours.

Swelling and discomfort are to be expected. Take medications as prescribed for the first 24 hours. Swelling may be reduced by holding ice packs against the face in the area of extractions for no longer than 15 minutes per hour the first 24 hours.

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Implant Aftercare

Clean denture completely daily using a soft brush and liquid dial hand soap.

If desired, use a denture soak recommended by us daily followed by brushing.

Use a Sonicare mechanical style toothbrush to brush implants and bar for four minutes twice daily.

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Jaw Pain Aftercare

Use anti-inflammatory medications. Over the counter Ibuprofen (400-600 mg every six hours) would be helpful.

Every hour, apply ice for ten minutes and heat for fifteen minutes to the sore joints or muscles. Use a heating pad or microwave a wet towel until it is warm (be careful not to get it too hot). For cold compresses, use ice wrapped in a thin washcloth. Ice should only be applied to the painful area until numbness is experienced.

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Lips Together and Teeth Apart Aftercare

One of the most important steps in breaking the habit of clenching and grinding teeth is to become conscious when it occurs and to make an effort to make some changes. One excellent way to avoid clenching is to learn to keep the lips together and the teeth apart. This simple step will not only make it impossible to clench the teeth, but even more important, it will relax the very muscles that become tense and taut. It also permits normal positioning of the temporal mandibular joints. (TMJ)
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Night Grinding Aftercare

Many people unconsciously grind or clench their teeth at night. The term commonly used to describe this tooth action is bruxism. Most people are unaware of this habit because it happens in the deepest part of the sleep pattern.
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Porcelain Restorations Aftercare

We have placed porcelain restorations on your teeth. These were placed with the finest materials and techniques available today. However, the following information will be beneficial for the long-term maintenance of your porcelain restorations.
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Root Canal Aftercare

A filling has been placed in your root canal tooth. The tooth and surrounding gum tissues may be tender for a few days.
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Temporaries Aftercare

A temporary is a filling or crown that is placed until the permanent filling or crown is made and ready to be placed. It is normal for the gum around your tooth to be a little sore when the anesthesia wears off. This will disappear by tomorrow. Do your best to chew on the opposite side until your next appointment. Chewing sticky foods can sometimes dislodge it. It is not uncommon to have the following reactions or concerns with the temporary.
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Temporary Crown Aftercare

We have placed a temporary crown on your tooth. Under most circumstances it will function and protect your tooth very well. Ideally, you have an appointment scheduled for the placement of your permanent crown in a few weeks. However, you may be planning to have the temporary crown for a longer period of time.
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Your Dental Treatment Aftercare

ake 1000mg of Acetaminophen (2 Extra Strength Tylenol tablets) along with 600mg of Ibuprofen (3 tablets) immediately before leaving our dental office. This is to be repeated every six hours for the first twenty-four hours after your dental treatment. It is very important to comply with this regimen. You may want to set an alarm to remind you to take your tablets every six hours. After the initial twenty-four hours, take either or both of these medications as needed for discomfort.
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New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!

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Patients Love It Here

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Google Rating
5.0
I’ve been going to Joplin Family Dental for 6-7 years. The staff are so friendly and helpful. And we love Dr. Kirk. My son is physically challenged and they’ve always really worked to make it the easiest possible. Beth, our hygienist, is super and we love her, too. As a formerly anxious dental patient, I highly recommend Joplin Family Dental.
-Jamie G.
Always happy to see the folks in the reception desks. They are friendly and always willing to help as needed. They're genuinely interested in the welfare of my family. Lisa is my hygienist. She understands my particular needs and sees to it that they are met. I feel totally relaxed having Lisa delve around in my mouth. My experience with others within the practice are equally positive.
-Terry B.

I am always in the best of care when I visit my dentist and his dental technicians!!
I never dread or fear going to my appointment, because they are the best at making me comfortable!!
Dr. Paustian, Susan, and Becky have always done such a great job taking care of my teeth and making sure the procedure has been pain-free.

-Nancy A.
Where to start, I’ve been a patient here for some time and while all the staff from the receptionist to my hygienist, Beth is great. Devon is my favorite. She’s very personal and caring and so knowledgeable I’m what she does. Definitely, in my opinion what keeps me coming back.
-Kyle M.