Patient Education

1. Tobacco Cessation Tips
2. Post-Op Instructions Following Oral Surgery
3. Home Care Instructions for Sealants
4. Home Care Instructions Following Scaling & Root Planning
5. Ortho Recommendations
6. Instructions for Home Flouride
7. Emergencies

• Decide positively that you want to stop. Try to avoid negative thoughts about possible difficulties. The thoughts can be much worse than the experience of stopping itself.
• List all the reasons why you want to stop. Every night before going to bed, repeat one of the reasons 10 times.
• Develop strong personalized reasons for stopping. For example, think of all the time you waste taking cigarette breaks, rushing out to buy a pack, hunting for a light, etc. Think of what a poor example you set.
• Begin to condition yourself physically: start a modest exercise program; drink more fluids; get plenty of rest; and avoid fatigue.

• Have realistic expectations - stopping isn't easy, but it's not impossible either. More than 3 million people in the United States stop every year.
• Understand the withdrawal symptoms are temporary and are healthy sign that the body is repairing itself from its long exposure to nicotine. Within 24 hours of stopping, withdrawal symptoms may appear as the body begins the healing process.
• Know that most lapses occur in the first week or two of stopping. At this time, withdrawal symptoms are the strongest, and your body is still most dependent on nicotine. Be aware that this will be your most difficult time and fully use all your personal resources – willpower, friends, family, and any tips that will work for you – to get through this critical period successfully.

• Bet a friend you can stop on your target date. Put your tobacco money aside every day, and forfeit it if you smoke or chew. (But if you do, don't give up; simply strengthen your resolve and try again.)
• Ask your spouse or a friend to stop with you. Make a "buddy" system to help follow through.
• Tell your family and friends that you're stopping and when. They can be an important source of support both before and after you stop.

• Practice going without tobacco.
• Don't dwell on the fact that you will never use tobacco again. Think of being tobacco free in terms of one day at a time.
• Stop carrying tobacco with you at all times. Make obtaining it difficult.
• Don't empty your ashtrays or container that you spit into. This will remind you how much you used each day, and the sight and smell will be very unpleasant.
• Collect all your cigarette butts into one large glass container as a visual reminder of the mess that smoking represents. Occasionally screw off the lid to smell the foul butt and ash odors as a reminder of your former environment.

• Throw away all of your tobacco, lighters, ashtrays, spittoons, and other tobacco related paraphernalia.
• Clean your clothes to rid them of the smell of smoke, which can linger a long time.
• Develop a clean, fresh smoke-free environment around yourself – at work and at home. Buy yourself some flowers – you may be surprised how much you enjoy their scent now.
• Schedule an appointment to have your teeth cleaned. Resolve to keep them free of stains and preserve the feeling of a clean mouth.
• Make a list of things you'd like to buy for yourself or someone else. Estimate your cost of using tobacco and put the money aside to buy yourself a present.
• Keep very busy on the big day. Go to the movies, exercise, take long walks, or go bike riding.
• Buy yourself a treat or do something to celebrate.
• Stay away from other tobacco users as they could weaken your resolve (this need be only a temporary measure).
• Remember that one cigarette or chew could ruin a successful attempt.
• Remember that alcohol will weaken your willpower. Avoid it.
• Refuse to allow anything to change your mind.

• First, remind yourself that you've stopped and you're a nonuser. Then, look closely at your urge to use tobacco and ask yourself:
• Where was I when I got the urge?
• What was I doing at the time?
• Who was I with?
• What was I thinking?
• Think about why you stopped.
• Repeat to yourself (aloud if you're alone) your three main reasons for stopping.
• Write down your three main reasons for stopping, then three reasons for not stopping.

• Keep your hands busy – doodle, knit, type a letter.
• Avoid people who smoke or chew; spend more time with friends who do not use tobacco.
• Find activities that make smoking difficult (gardening, exercise, washing the car, taking a shower).
• Put something other than tobacco in your mouth. Keep oral substitutes handy – try carrots, sunflower seeds, apples, celery, or sugarless gum instead. Use a mouthwash.
• Change your surrounding when an urge hits; get up and move about or do something else.

Source: "How to Help Your Patients Stop Using Tobacco"
A National Cancer Institute Manual for the Oral Health Team

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• If swelling occurs, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face near the area of surgery.
• This should be applied for thirty minutes on then thirty minutes off.
• Continue this procedure for 2 days if you experience swelling.
• If you are still experiencing swelling after the second day apply a hot moist pack to the side of your face off and on until the swelling is eliminated.

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• Avoid sticky foods (gum, caramel, etc.) for the first 72 hours following placement.
• Your teeth may feel as though they don't fit together for the first 72 hours.
• Sealants aid in reducing the incidence of dental decay.
• Sealants do not take the place of proper oral hygiene.
• Sealants do not protect from decay in between teeth.
• Applying pit & fissure sealants is a part of a complete preventive dental program.
• Sealants are highly recommended for newly erupted teeth with deep pits & fissures.
• Sealants should be checked at each continued care appointment.
• Complete retention after two years has been shown to range from 54% to 100%.
• The sealant may or may not need to be replaced at your continued care appointment.

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• Wait until the feeling returns to begin eating. Even if you need to eat softer foods for a few days, be sure to balance your diet. Eating a well-balanced diet promotes healing.
• Avoid eating crunchy, spicy, or hot foods today, i.e.: taco chips, carrots, popcorn or crispy fried chicken.
• Drink plenty of fluids today to promote healing.
• Rinse with warm salt water if your gums are sore and tender.  (1 teaspoon in 1-cup warm water)
• Brush gently today even if your gums are tender. This will help remove the plaque that has already started to re-form.
• Today, you don't need to floss or use any home care aid (i.e.: toothpicks) if there is too much sensitivity. But starting tomorrow, do so each day.
• You can take over-the-counter pain medication for any discomfort you may have.
• You may experience some sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets. Avoid extreme temperatures for a few days. Usually this sensitivity will diminish quickly, but may not be completely gone for several months.
• If sensitivity is a persistent problem, this can be treated professionally.

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• Electric toothbrush
• Superfloss or floss threader
• Daily home fluoride
• 3-month cleanings with oral hygiene instructions

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1. Use once a day after brushing teeth thoroughly with toothpaste, unless otherwise directed by your dentist or dental hygienist.
2. Apply a small amount of gel to a separate toothbrush. Be sure to use a soft, dry toothbrush and brush thoroughly on all tooth surfaces for at least one minute.
3. Spit, do not swallow, and do not eat, drink or rinse for at least 30 minutes. It is best to use fluoride at bedtime.
4. Rinse the fluoride brush with warm water and allow to air dry until next usage.
5. Instruct children under 12 in the use of home fluoride to minimize swallowing. Supervise children as necessary until capable of using without supervision. We do not recommend this product to children under the age of 6.

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