Treatment guide

Your detailed guide to dental treatment: everything you need to know before and after your visit

General preparation and advice for all patients

Psychological preparation: how adults can cope with anxiety

A calm mindset before the visit

Talk to yourself about the visit as a normal and helpful step for your health, not as something frightening. Do not work yourself up before the appointment, do not read scary stories, and do not postpone treatment because of anxiety. If you feel nervous, tell your doctor right away: they will explain each stage, work calmly, and pause if needed.

Preparing a child: tips for parents to create a positive experience

Without pressure

Before the visit, do not promise your child that «nothing will happen» or that «it will not be scary at all». It is better to say honestly and calmly that the doctor will get to know them, look at their teeth, and help keep them healthy. Do not pass your own anxiety on to the child: when parents speak calmly and confidently, the child also feels more at ease.

Your role before the visit

Positive wording

Talk about the visit as something interesting but ordinary. Avoid trigger words such as «pain», «injection», «drilling», or «scary». Use playful wording: the doctor will «count the teeth», «clean away the little germ monsters», and «put on a sticker» instead of a filling.

Your role during the visit

Calm presence

Stay nearby, but do not overwhelm the child with too many words, advice, or emotions. Speak calmly, briefly, and supportively, do not interrupt the doctor, and do not show your own anxiety. It is important for the child to feel that there is an adult nearby who is calm and trusts the process.

Physical preparation: nutrition, hygiene, and key restrictions

Basic preparation for the visit

Before the appointment, it is advisable to eat, unless your doctor has given you other instructions, and to follow your usual oral hygiene routine. Do not come exhausted, hungry, or immediately after drinking alcohol. If you have a procedure planned with specific restrictions, be sure to follow your doctor’s individual recommendations.

An important conversation with the doctor: what you need to disclose

Honestly and without “it does not matter”

Before treatment, it is important to briefly tell the doctor about anything that may affect the procedure: how you are feeling, chronic conditions, medications, allergies, pregnancy, previous treatment experiences, or fear. Even things that seem minor may be important for safety and for the right treatment plan.

Checklist: what you absolutely need to tell the doctor before any procedure begins

What must not be left unsaid

Be sure to report allergies, chronic illnesses, medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, high blood pressure, diabetes, blood clotting problems, recent surgeries, feeling unwell, fever, or any flare-up of a medical condition. It is also worth mentioning if you feel very anxious or had a negative treatment experience in the past.

Medical conditions requiring special attention

When a special approach is needed

Some illnesses and conditions require additional attention before dental treatment. In such cases, the doctor may change the treatment plan, postpone the procedure, or give additional recommendations for your safety. That is why it is important to inform the doctor in advance about all health-related issues, even if they do not seem connected to your teeth.

Contraindications and conditions requiring caution

Acute infectious diseases (ARVI, herpes)

Why is this important?

During an acute infection, the body is weakened, and the risk of spreading the virus or feeling worse is higher. If you have active cold sores on your lips or pronounced cold or flu-like symptoms, it is better to postpone a planned dental visit.

Recommendations

Be sure to inform the doctor about fever, cough, a runny nose, rashes, or herpes before the appointment begins. Planned treatment is best carried out after recovery, and in the case of herpes, when the lesions have dried out or disappeared.

Not allowed

Do not hide symptoms of infection and do not come to a planned appointment with active herpes lesions or severe malaise.

Cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, after a heart attack or stroke)

Why is this important?

With uncontrolled blood pressure, as well as after a recent heart attack or stroke, dental treatment may require extra caution, a change in the treatment plan, or prior approval from your physician. For patients with elevated blood pressure, the ADA recommends rechecking blood pressure, and if confirmed readings are above 160/100, postponing planned treatment and consulting a doctor.

Recommendations

Before your visit, inform the doctor about hypertension, a previous heart attack or stroke, the medications you are taking, and any changes in how you feel. After a heart attack or stroke, planned invasive procedures should only be carried out after coordination with your physician.

Not allowed

Do not withhold a cardiovascular diagnosis, high blood pressure, or a recent hospitalization. Do not plan invasive treatment without prior approval if your blood pressure is unstable or if only a short time has passed since the cardiovascular event.

Diabetes mellitus

Why is this important?

With unstable or high glucose levels, wounds may heal more slowly, and the risk of infection after oral surgical procedures increases. That is why, before tooth extraction, implantation, and other invasive procedures, it is important for the doctor to know about your diagnosis and current condition.

Recommendations

Before treatment, be sure to inform the doctor about your diabetes, the medications you take, and any changes in how you feel or in your glucose levels. Planned surgical procedures are best performed when diabetes is under control, and if necessary, after additional coordination with your physician.

Not allowed

Do not hide the diagnosis or fail to mention changes in your condition or unstable blood sugar levels. Invasive dental procedures should not be planned without prior coordination if the condition is decompensated or if you are feeling unwell.

Cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy

Why is this important?

During chemotherapy or radiation therapy, healing may worsen, and the risk of infection, dry mouth, ulcers, and mucosal irritation may increase. Special attention is required for patients who are currently undergoing treatment or have only recently completed it.

Recommendations

Be sure to inform the doctor about the diagnosis, current treatment, the date of the last course, and the medications you are receiving. If an invasive procedure is planned, it should only be done after coordination with your oncologist or with current test results, if required.

Not allowed

Do not hide the fact that you are undergoing or have recently undergone cancer treatment, and do not plan extractions, implantation, or other traumatic procedures without prior approval if active therapy is ongoing or if you are feeling unwell.

Blood disorders, use of anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications)

Why is this important?

Such conditions and medications may increase the risk of bleeding during and after dental procedures. At the same time, most dental procedures can often be performed safely if the doctor knows about your condition in advance and plans the treatment properly.

Recommendations

Before the appointment, inform the doctor about blood disorders and about taking warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel, aspirin, or other similar medications. If you have test results or recommendations from your specialist, it is also worth bringing them with you.

Not allowed

Do not stop taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications on your own before dental treatment. Such decisions should only be made after consultation with the doctor who prescribed the medication.

Taking bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis, cancer)

Why is this important?

Bisphosphonates are associated with a rare but serious risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, especially after tooth extraction and other invasive procedures. The risk is higher with cancer treatment regimens, long-term use, and high doses.

Recommendations

Be sure to tell the doctor which medication you are taking, for how long, and for what reason. Before surgical treatment, the dentist may change the treatment plan or recommend additional coordination with your physician.

Not allowed

Do not fail to disclose bisphosphonate use and do not stop the medication on your own before a dental procedure. Any decision about changing or pausing treatment should only be made together with the doctor who prescribed it.

Epilepsy, mental health disorders

Why is this important?

With epilepsy, it is important for the doctor to know about seizures, triggers, and medications in order to make the appointment safer and calmer. With mental health disorders, treatment may be affected by anxiety, sensitivity to stress, communication difficulties, and side effects of certain medications, including dry mouth.

Recommendations

Before the visit, inform the doctor about the diagnosis, the frequency of seizures or flare-ups, triggers, medications, and what helps you feel calmer during treatment. If needed, the doctor may choose a more comfortable appointment format or recommend treatment in a specialized care setting.

Not allowed

Do not hide seizures, panic attacks, episodes of loss of consciousness, or psychiatric medications. Do not stop your regular treatment on your own before a dental appointment.

Instructions for specific dental procedures

Therapy: placing a filling

Before the procedure:

Before treatment, follow the general recommendations: it is advisable to eat, unless your doctor has given other instructions, to brush your teeth, and to inform the doctor about medications, allergies, and health-related concerns.

After the procedure:

After a filling is placed, it is important to let the tooth adapt calmly and to follow simple recommendations during the first hours and days after the visit.

Immediately after the visit:

Do not eat until the numbness from the anesthesia has completely worn off, so that you do not accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue. During the first few hours, it is also better not to chew gum, bite hard foods, or test the filling with your tongue.

Nutrition after a filling:

Modern composite fillings harden immediately after curing with a light, so you can usually eat once the numbness from anesthesia has completely worn off. During the first day, it is better to be more careful with food, especially if the tooth is still sensitive.

Avoid:

During the first 24–48 hours, it is advisable not to eat very hard, sticky, very hot, or very cold foods. It is also better to limit foods and drinks that stain strongly: coffee, strong tea, red wine, berries, and brightly colored sauces.

Prefer:

It is better to choose soft, neutral foods that do not place extra stress on the tooth: yogurt, porridge, rice, potatoes, pasta, eggs, soft meat, fish, and warm soups. If the tooth reacts to temperature, food and drinks should be comfortably warm.

What is normal, and when should you call your doctor?

After a filling is placed, temporary discomfort is possible. This is a normal reaction of the tooth and gums after treatment. But if the symptoms get worse, do not go away, or interfere with chewing, you should contact your doctor.

Normal

Temperature sensitivity:

After treatment, the tooth may react for some time to cold, hot, or sweet foods. This sensitivity usually gradually decreases over several days or within 1-2 weeks.

Mild discomfort when biting:

A slight soreness during chewing or pressure may remain for a short time after the procedure. This usually goes away as the tooth adapts after treatment.

Mild gum sensitivity:

If additional instruments were used near the gums during treatment, slight soreness or minor bleeding in that area is possible. This is temporary.

Not normal - contact your doctor

The filling interferes with your bite:

If, after the numbness has completely worn off, you feel that your teeth close differently or the filling feels «too high», it needs to be adjusted. These issues are usually corrected quickly.

The pain is getting worse:

If the pain does not decrease but becomes stronger, throbbing, or interferes with eating and sleeping.

The sensitivity does not go away:

If the sensitivity lasts longer, does not decrease, or becomes stronger, you need to contact your doctor for an examination.

Patient memo after a filling

First 2-4 hours

Nutrition

Do not eat until the numbness from the anesthesia has completely worn off, so that you do not accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.

Sensations (normal / not normal)

Numbness of the cheek, lip, or tongue is normal.

Hygiene and care

Maintain your usual hygiene, but do not test the filling with your tongue and do not chew on that side until sensation has returned.

First 1-2 days

Nutrition

If the tooth is still sensitive, choose soft foods at a comfortable temperature. It is better to temporarily avoid very hard, sticky, overly hot, or cold foods; if aesthetics matter, it is also worth being more careful during the first day with foods and drinks that stain strongly.

Sensations (normal / not normal)

Mild sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods, as well as slight discomfort when biting during the first few days, is normal.

Hygiene and care

Continue your usual oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.

Up to 1-2 weeks

Sensations

Sensitivity and mild discomfort should gradually decrease. If the filling «gets in the way», your teeth close unusually, the pain gets worse, or becomes throbbing, you should contact your doctor.

Hygiene and care

Do not overload the tooth with very hard foods if there is discomfort, but your normal care and daily hygiene should be maintained.

Long-term care

What matters going forward

Take care of your teeth in your usual way: brush them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and come for regular preventive check-ups. If the filling chips, cracks, falls out, or the tooth starts to hurt, do not postpone a visit to the dentist.

Endodontics: root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is a procedure during which the doctor cleans the infected canals of the tooth and seals them tightly. After such treatment, the tooth and the tissues around it need time to recover, so mild discomfort during the first few days is possible.

Before/After the procedure

Before the procedure:

Before treatment, follow the general recommendations: it is advisable to eat, unless your doctor has given other instructions, and to inform the doctor about medications, allergies, and health-related concerns. It is also worth being prepared for the fact that root canal treatment may sometimes require several visits.

After the procedure:

After root canal treatment, moderate sensitivity, aching pain, or discomfort when biting for a few days is usually a normal reaction. These sensations should gradually decrease.

Temporary filling and anesthesia:

Do not eat until the numbness from the anesthesia has completely worn off, so that you do not bite your cheek, lip, or tongue. If the tooth is covered with a temporary filling, do not chew on that side and do not load the tooth with hard or sticky foods until the permanent restoration is placed. A temporary filling is not intended for long-term use, so the follow-up visit and final restoration of the tooth should not be postponed.

Pain and discomfort:

Normal sensations:

Aching pain in the tooth and discomfort when biting for several days, sometimes up to a week, is normal after treatment.

How to relieve the condition:

Take the pain medication recommended by your doctor, for example one based on ibuprofen or nimesulide.
Limit chewing load on the treated tooth.

Strictly prohibited:

Do not warm the cheek on the side of the treated tooth.
Do not rinse your mouth with alcohol-containing solutions.
Do not try to remove the temporary filling yourself.