Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find many answers to common questions asked by patients either prior to coming to the dentist or post op.
What To Expect During Your Appointment
If you are a new patient, please have new patient forms completed from the website or arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to have them completed. Also bring your insurance card.
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Returning patients that had any pertinent surgeries or change in medications since their last visit should bring in an updated list of their medical history. If there has been a change in insurance, please bring in your new insurance card.
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We accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Expression, cash and personal check.
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We are contracted with Delta Dental of Michigan Premier and accept Healthy Kids Dental. If you're covered under any other dental carrier, please verify ahead of appointment if you are allowed out of network benefits.
Instructions After An Extraction
1. Place cold towels or an ice bag to your face for the first 6-8 hours. Leave it on on for 15 minutes, then remove it for 15 minutes.
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2. Do not rinse mouth until the following day. Avoid rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours as it may cause the clot to dislodge causing additional bleeding.
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3. On the morning following surgery, rinse mouth with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to a glass of warm water). Repeat this several times daily.
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4. Keep fingers and tongue away from socket.
5. BLEEDING - it is normal for the saliva to be slightly streaked with blood for about 1-2 days. If abnormal bleeding occurs, place a piece of moist gauze over extraction site and bite down for 30-45 minutes. Keep on placing moist gauze of the extracted site until bleeding is controlled or has resolved.
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6. Following dental surgery it is normal to experience some discomfort. If medication has been prescribed, takes as instructed.
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7. SWELLING & STIFFNESS - is normal and should not cause alarm. Apply cold towels or ice bag for 15 minutes of each hour as needed.
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8. DIET. A liquid or soft diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Drink lots of water. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks or alcohol as they may interfere with the mouth's healing process.
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9. Avoid smoking as it'll slow down healing to the extracted area.
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10. When brushing your teeth, avoid brushing the extraction site to avoid infection.
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11. Avoid doing any strenuous activities such as running or heavy lifting as it may dislodge the blood clot.
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12. Return to the office if undue symptoms develop such as severe bleeding, severe discharge from the area, nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills, or other signs of infection.
What If I Feel Pain?
If you received injection(s) during your appointment, numbness may occur for several of the following hours. Avoid eating until all the numbness sensation has resolved.
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When a filling is done, pain and sensitivity to the are may occur for up to a week before symptoms resolved.
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Discomfort is common after a dental procedure which can continue on for the following days. Rest and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Motrin as needed.
When Is It Time To Call The Dentist?
Common reasons to call a dentist:
-Sensitivity to cold, heat, or pressure
-Unusual gum bleeding, redness, or tenderness
-Toothache
-Broken, chipped, or missing teeth
-Chipped or missing fillings
-Dry mouth
-Jaw pain
-Abnormal spots or sore in the mouth
-Facial swelling
-Dental abscesses
-Bad breath
-Drainage from your mouth
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