top of page
Mon Dentiste Lajoie logo horizontal

my new dental clinic in Gatineau

my next appointment

OUR ADVICE

You will find helpful advice below for a prompt recovery and to increase the success rate of your treatments. If you have any questions before, during, and after your treatment, do not hesitate to contact us.

gum graft

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

 

  1. Five days prior to your surgery, stop drinking alcohol, including beer and wine. Alcohol thins the blood and could increase bleeding during the procedure, making it more difficult.

  2. Do not exercise for 24 hours before your surgery, as the risk of bleeding will be greater during the procedure.

  3. Eat a substantial meal, including protein, 1 hour before your surgery, as you may not be able to eat normally in the following hours.

​

​

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

​

  • For gum surgeries, a second appointment will be scheduled one week after the procedure for follow-up and stitch removal.

  • You will not be able to engage in high-intensity activities for 5 days after the procedure. Sports involving jumping and running should be avoided. (Jogging, swimming, aerobics, soccer, badminton, etc.)

  • In certain instances, swelling and bruising may occur in the days following the procedure. This is normal.

  • It is important to carefully read the post-operative instructions that will be given to you at the time of your procedure. If you follow these instructions precisely, healing will occur under ideal conditions and the risk of pain will be minimal.

gum graft

AFTER YOUR SURGERY
​

  1. Avoid intense physical activity or household work for the next 5 days. Light, low-intensity walking is permitted.

  2. It is normal to notice slight bleeding and lightly blood-tinged saliva during the first 24 hours. Keep your head elevated and avoid lying flat. If bleeding continues, please contact the clinic at 819-303-4070. It is also normal to have pink-colored saliva without blood clots for 2–3 days.

  3. Do not spit or rinse your mouth for 48 hours, as this may cause excessive bleeding. A mouth rinse may be prescribed; otherwise, you may use a saltwater rinse prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of salt in ½ glass of lukewarm water, 3–4 times per day. Gently move the liquid from cheek to cheek without gargling and allow the saliva to flow out without spitting. Do the same when brushing your teeth: let the saliva flow out, do not spit.

  4. To prevent swelling, apply ice to the side of the face over the surgical area for 20 minutes per hour during the first day, except at night. The ice should be wrapped in a damp towel and should not come into direct contact with the skin. On the second day, ice is optional. If swelling persists on the third day, warm moist compresses (20 minutes every hour) may help reduce swelling. Bruising at the surgical site (yellow-bluish) may occur and is normal.

  5.  A diet of cold or lukewarm liquids may be consumed during the first 4–6 hours. After that, soft foods are allowed (semi-soft diet), such as ground meat, rice, pasta, oatmeal, yogurt, shepherd’s pie, etc. Avoid popcorn, sharp or spicy foods, and very hot foods.

  6. Do not smoke for 24 hours, as the heat from smoking can interfere with healing.

  7. Do not consume alcoholic beverages after surgery, as alcohol may cause bleeding by thinning the blood. Wait 2–3 days before drinking alcohol.

  8. In case of pain: Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg every 4–6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil) 400 mg every 4–6 hours. These two medications may be taken together if pain is not relieved by one alone within the recommended time. If you have an intolerance or allergy to these medications, do not take them and consult your dentist for an alternative solution. Pain should gradually decrease over the following days.

  9. Brushing: Tooth brushing is permitted, but do not brush the gum tissue at the surgical site. Avoid brushing the surgical area for one week following surgery. Brushing and flossing are permitted for the rest of the mouth.

  10. Periodontal dressing: If a periodontal dressing is placed over the treated area, it should remain in place for one week and will be removed at the same time as the sutures. If it becomes loose or moves, gently remove it with your fingers or small tweezers, taking care not to traumatize the surgical site. Do not leave a loose dressing in place, as it may interfere with healing.

Care instructions after a tooth extraction

If you follow these instructions carefully, you should experience minimal discomfort and optimal healing.

​

  1. Keep the gauze pad over the extraction site for 1 hour (60 minutes). This helps control bleeding. Usually, it is not necessary to replace the gauze after this time. However, if dark, thick bleeding continues, place a new piece of gauze or a moistened tea bag over the extraction site and bite down firmly for another hour. Bleeding should stop with continuous pressure and should not be a cause for concern. Keep your head elevated and avoid lying flat. If bleeding continues despite these measures, please contact the clinic at 819-303-4070. Keep in mind, it is normal to have pink-tinged saliva without clots for 3–4 days.

  2. Do not spit or rinse your mouth for 48 hours, as this may dislodge the blood clot and cause bleeding. The blood clot is essential for proper healing. A mouth rinse may be prescribed; otherwise, you may use a saltwater rinse prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of salt in ½ glass of lukewarm water, 3–4 times per day. Gently move the liquid from cheek to cheek without gargling, and allow the saliva to flow out naturally. Do not spit. The same applies when brushing your teeth: let the saliva flow out.

  3. To prevent swelling, apply ice to the side of your face for 20 minutes per hour during the first day, except at night. The ice must be wrapped in a damp towel and should not come into direct contact with the skin. On the second day, ice application is optional. If swelling persists on the third day, warm, moist compresses (20 minutes per hour) can help reduce swelling. Bruising at the extraction site (yellowish or bluish) may occur and is normal.

  4. A diet of cold or lukewarm liquids may be consumed during the first 4–6 hours. After that, soft foods are allowed (semi-soft diet), such as shepherd’s pie, ground meat, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. Avoid popcorn, sharp and/or spicy foods, and very hot foods.

  5. Do not smoke for 24 hours, as the heat from smoking may dislodge the blood clot and interfere with healing.

  6. Do not drink through a straw, as the suction may dislodge the blood clot.

  7. Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking prescribed medications.

  8. Physical activity: Avoid physical activity for at least 4 days. Refrain from activities such as jogging, brisk walking, workouts, swimming, badminton, soccer, etc. Jumping and high-intensity activities may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.

  9. In case of pain: Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500 mg every 4–6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil) 400 mg every 4–6 hours. These two medications may be taken together if pain is not relieved by one alone. If you have an intolerance or allergy to these medications, do not take them and discuss alternative options with your dentist. Pain should gradually decrease over the following days. If pain increases and becomes intolerable after the third day, contact the dental clinic at 819-303-4070 to schedule an evaluation. This usually indicates that the blood clot has been lost, and your dentist can place a medicated dressing in the extraction site to relieve the pain.

If you are concerned or if any of the following symptoms persist: excessive swelling, heavy bleeding, constant pain, or a significant fever, please call the clinic at 819-303-4070 and describe your symptoms to the receptionist. A report will be sent to the dentist, and an appointment can be scheduled for an evaluation or a telephone consultation.

General tips for at-home teeth whitening

PROCEDURE

One whitening syringe should last approximately 3 to 4 days.

​

  1. Before wearing your whitening trays, brush and floss your teeth.

  2. Make sure the inside of the tray is dry. Place a small drop of gel on the front inner surface of the tray, then insert the tray onto your teeth. Gently press the tray into place.

  3. Ensure the whitening gel covers the entire surface of the tooth up to the gumline. If you notice gel overflowing or touching your gums, remove the excess gel from the front and back of the teeth using a tissue.

  4. Wear the tray for at least 4 hours during the day or evening. You may also wear it overnight.

  5. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while wearing the tray.

  6. When finished, carefully remove the tray. Rinse and brush your teeth. Clean the tray using a toothbrush, dry the inside with a tissue, and store it in its case.

  7. During the whitening treatment, avoid black coffee, tea, dark soft drinks, red wine, and dark fruit juices. Wait 5–7 days after completing the treatment before resuming these beverages.

Possible drawbacks and solutions

White or sensitive gums: Too much gel was placed in the tray, and the excess is coming into contact with the gums.

  • It is important to remove any excess gel that touches the gums.

  • Wait 2–3 days before continuing whitening to allow the gums to heal.

  • Reduce the amount of gel applied inside the tray.

  • Apply a small amount of vitamin E to the gums and wait for the gums to heal before resuming treatment (a few days).

​​

Teeth sensitive to cold, heat, or touch: During whitening, the pores of the teeth open to allow the product to penetrate, which can cause sensitivity.

  • Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth (such as Sensodyne or Colgate Pro-Relief) and do not rinse with water after brushing.

  • Leave the toothpaste on the teeth to increase its effectiveness.

  • Wait 2–3 days before continuing treatment and place the toothpaste in the tray on alternating days with the whitening gel.

  • Avoid acidic foods (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, salad dressings, etc.).

  • Sensation of small electric shocks in the teeth: Some people may feel this sensation because the pores of the teeth are open. It is not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable.

  • If there are no medical contraindications, take ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

  • Follow the recommendations listed under point 2 (wait 2–3 days).

​

In all cases: If symptoms are too uncomfortable, stop the treatment for one day or more. Afterwards, resume whitening every other day, alternating days.

Foods and drinks to avoid when whitening teeth

Wait one week after the whitening treatment before resuming consumption of these foods and beverages:

  • black coffee

  • tea

  • dark soft drinks

  • red wine

  • dark fruit juices

occlusal splint

POSTOPERATIVE ADVICE

The occlusal splint aims to protect your teeth, reduce muscle strain, and promote better occlusal balance. Its effectiveness depends on regular wear and periodic checkups.

WEARING THE SPLINT

  • Wear your occlusal splint every night, unless otherwise instructed.

  • At first, mild discomfort or increased salivation is normal and usually disappears after a few nights.

​

ADAPTATION PERIOD

  • During the first few days, your bite may feel different when you wake up. This sensation is temporary.

  • If discomfort persists beyond a few days, please contact the clinic for an adjustment.

​

CARE AND HYGIENE

  • Clean the splint every morning using a toothbrush with mild soap or Polident Fresh Cleanser Foam.

  • Avoid abrasive toothpaste, as it may damage the splint.

  • Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and store it in its case.

  • Brush your teeth before wearing the splint, or at minimum rinse your mouth with water, as food debris can lead to tooth decay.

​

AVOID

  • Do not expose the splint to heat (hot water, dishwasher, sunlight).

  • Do not chew on the splint or wear it during the day unless instructed.

  • Keep it out of reach of children and pets.

​

MUSCLE AND FUNCTIONAL BALANCE

  • It is important to avoid pushing your tongue against your teeth, as repeated pressure may cause long-term tooth movement. The tongue should remain at rest, without effort.

  • Do not force your lips closed. They should meet naturally, without excessive contraction. Forcing them closed may cause tension in the face, neck, and jaw.

  • Wearing the splint may sometimes reveal symptoms of sleep apnea. If you notice increased snoring, significant morning fatigue, or unusual daytime sleepiness, please contact the clinic. A sleep study may be recommended.

 

WHEN TO CONTACT THE CLINIC

  • If you experience significant pain in your teeth, jaw, muscles, or joints.

  • If the splint becomes uncomfortable, loose, or difficult to insert.

  • If you stop wearing the splint due to discomfort.

Orthopedic appliance

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU AND YOUR PARENTS

IT’S NORMAL AT FIRST

  • Your appliance is new, so it’s normal if it feels a little strange at first.

  • You might have more saliva and talk a bit differently during the first few days — that’s normal and gets better quickly.
     

PRACTICE HELPS

  • To help you speak more easily, practice talking out loud (read a book, talk with your parents).

  • The more you talk while wearing your appliance, the faster your mouth will get used to it.
     

SMALL ACRYLIC PIECES

  • Sometimes small pieces of acrylic may come off at the beginning.

  • This is part of the normal adjustment of the appliance.

  • If a large piece comes off or if the appliance becomes uncomfortable, let us know.
     

TAKING CARE OF YOUR APPLIANCE

  • Clean your appliance every day using a toothbrush with mild soap or Polident Fresh Cleanser Foam or Nova Dent.

  • Avoid abrasive toothpaste.

  • Rinse it well before putting it back in its case.
     

THINGS TO AVOID

  • Do not chew on or play with your appliance.

  • Always store it in its case when you’re not wearing it (watch out for pets 🐶).
     

WHEN TO GIVE US A CALL

  • If the appliance hurts or causes sores.

  • If it is broken or doesn’t fit well anymore.

  • If you can’t wear it as recommended.

bottom of page