“When can I eat normal food after a tooth extraction?” At A+ Dental, we get this question every single day. The good news is, within an hour after your surgery, you can eat normal soft foods and you will be able to consume beverages, just not with a straw. You will be able to go to your favorite food joint in about three or four days. Avoid the hard and crunchy foods for a week.

The painless removal of a tooth is known as a tooth extraction. If your tooth is no longer healthy enough to function effectively or poses a danger to your other teeth or overall health, a dentist at A+ Dental may recommend a tooth extraction. Since a tooth extraction is considered a minor oral surgery, you should closely adhere to your dentist’s post-operative instructions if you receive one. By adhering to their instructions, you’ll reduce your risk of a dry socket and infection. If you fail to follow post-operative instructions, you may experience complications which can delay your healing.

Some of the best foods to eat immediately after a tooth extraction include Yogurt, Pudding, and Applesauce. If you are looking to balance out the sweets, you can go for foods like Mashed Potatoes, Brothy Soups, and Hummus or Cottage Cheese. These foods are soft and easy to chew and will ensure that you do not feel any pain while you are eating, especially if you chew on the opposite side of the treated area. After 24+ Hours, you can try things like Instant Oatmeal, Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, and/or Soft Pastas (i.e. Ramen Noodles)

You can ease into a more regular diet once you feel comfortable doing so. However, for about a week, be sure to avoid eating hard and crunchy foods like chips, popcorn, and nuts. If you have difficulty eating hard cuts of meat, you can get your protein through dairy products.

Other things to avoid include any alcohol intake.
In the event you drink alcohol before the initial 24 hours, this can cause post-operative bleeding, which will keep the proper blood clot from forming in the surgery site. In fact, the formation of a blood clot is crucial. If a blood clot is not formed properly in the surgery site excessive bleeding can occur. Additionally, a dry socket can likely result if a clot does not form or happens to be dislodged or misplaced out of the surgery site. Drinking alcohol or drinking through a straw can increase the chances of receiving dry socket.

Contact Us
If you believe you may be a candidate for a tooth extraction or have further questions about what you can and cannot eat and drink, we encourage you to contact us today at (305) 935 - 4800.

The length of the treatment depends on many things, including the type and location of the implant, your bone structure and over all health. Your dentist will outline the treatment plan with the best chance of success for you.

There are three general phases of implant treatment:

• Placement of the Implant: The dentist surgically places the implant into the jaw bone. Tere might be some swelling and/or tenderness after the surgery, so pain medication is usually prescribed to ease the discomfort. The dentist may recommend a diet of soft foods during the healing process.
• The Healing Process: What makes an implant so strong is that the bone actually grows around it and holds it in place. This is a process that takes time. Some patients might need to wait up to several months util the implant is completely healed before replacement teeth can be attached to the implant.
• Replacing your missing tooth or teeth: The dentist or lab will custom make you a crown, bridge or denture to fit your mouth and your implants. Once completed, the man-made teeth are attached to the implant posts.

A dental implant may be right for you if you:

• Hide your smile because you have missing teeth
• Wear dentures that are uncomfortable
• Are dissatisfied with your removable partial dentures
• Want to keep your other teeth intact

Most patients find that an implant is a good replacement for their missing tooth because it is secure and stable. A tooth implant is a surgical procedure, so it’s not an option for everyone.
If you would like a consultation to know if you are a good candidate for Implants, we encourage you to contact us today at (305) 935 - 4800.

Implants are posts (metal “roots”) that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. They are made of titanium (a strong, lightweight metal) and other materials that are accepted by the human body. Many patients choose implants to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or to support a full set of dentures.

A bridge is a replacement tooth or teeth that fill the space where one or more teeth are missing. The bridge restores your bite and helps keep the natural shape of your face.

Before you get a bridge, we want you to know more about the steps involved, so we may advice which type of bridge is best for you.

“Why do I need a bridge?”
A missing tooth is a serious matter. Teeth are made to work together, and when you lose a tooth, the nearby teeth may tilt or drift into the empty space. The teeth in the opposite jaw may also shift up or down towards the space. This can affect your bite, and place stress on your teeth and jaw joints, possibly causing pain.

Teeth that have tipped or drifted are also harder to clean. This puts them at a higher risk for tooth decay ad gum disease.

When a tooth is missing, the bone may shrink. If this happens, it may change the way the jawbone supports the lips and cheeks. Over time, his can make your face look older.

“How do I take care of my bridge?”
An important thing to keep in mind is that a bridge can fail if the support teeth or the jawbone is damaged by dental disease, so these are some steps to follow when caring for your bridge;

• Brush Your teeth twice a day and floss or use another between the teeth cleaner twice a day.
• Always clean between your teeth and under the bridge.
• See your dentist regularly for exams and professional cleanings.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Look for oral care products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

A fixed bridge is a restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth have been lost. A fixed bridge is bonded or cemented into place – only a dentist can remove it.

A fixed bridge usually takes more than just one visit. On your first visit, your dentist prepares the teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge will later be attached to these teeth.

An impression of your teeth and the space will be taken, then sent out to a dental laboratory for manufacturing. A temporary bridge will be placed to protect your prepared teeth while we wait for the permanent one. Durning one or more follow up visits, the permanent bridge is fitted, adjusted and cemented in place.

If you would like a consultation to know if a Bridge is for you, we encourage you to contact us today at (305) 935 - 4800.

A removable partial denture can easily be taken out of the mouth for cleaning. Partial dentures usually have replacement teeth fixed to an acrylic base that matches the color of your gum.

The acrylic base may cover a framework made of several durable materials. Partial dentures often have some form of clasp that attaches to your natural teeth. Your dentist may also recommend crowns, or “caps,” on your natural teeth, which may improve the way a removable partial denture fits in your mouth.

“I can’t get used to my dentures!”
It takes practice to put in and takeout a removable partial denture. It may feel odd or tight for the first few weeks. But in time, you should get used to it. Never force into place by biting down. This can bend or break the clasps. If you have a problem with your new partial denture, feel free to give us a call.

“Should I sleep with my dentures?”
You should not wear your removable partial denture 24 hours a da. Your dentist may tell you to takeout the partial denture at bedtime and put it back in when you wake up. You should keep your partial denture in water or denture soaking solution when you are no wearing it. DO NOT let it dry out because it can lose its shape.
But remember that if your partial is out of your mouth for extended periods of time, your teeth can shift or move and then the partial will no longer fit.
We will always make follow up appointments to look for pressure points or sore spots, and we will adjust your denture so it fits comfortably.

DO NO try to adjust your partial denture yourself.
Over time, as you age and your mouth change, your removable partial denture may no longer fit well. It could also break, crack or chip, or one of the teeth could loosen. Sometimes dentists can make the repairs, often on the same day. Complex repairs may take longer.
Once your missing teeth are replaced, eating should be a much more pleasant experience. Since missing teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly, wearing a removable partial denture can help with that, too.
If you would like to explore your options to improve your smile, we encourage you to contact us today at (305) 935 - 4800.