Your treatment today involved exposing your cold sore to heat using a soft tissue laser.

 

Bleeding

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• Bleeding may occur after the procedure, especially as the healing process progresses. 

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• Use gauze to lightly blot the area, but be careful not to touch other parts of the lips or face, and wash hands thoroughly before and after.

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Pain & Discomfort

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• Take pain medications as prescribed. Do not take medications that you are allergic to.  If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

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• Consider using a topical pain reliever to help ease your symptoms. You may also use a cold or warm compress.

 

• When the crusted blister scabs over, try using emollients containing zinc oxide or aloe vera to keep the scab soft and to reduce irritation.

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• If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, please call our office immediately.  

 

Diet

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• Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the procedure. Avoid foods and drinks that are hot in temperature for 48 hours. 

 

• Avoid spicy foods, salty foods and citrus until healing is complete.

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Oral Hygiene

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• It is important to maintain your normal dental routine. This should include gentle brushing with an ultra soft brush and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. 

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• No commercial mouthwash is to be used during this time (as it is very irritating) but an antibacterial rinse may be prescribed by your dentist if necessary. 

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Activities

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• Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights if you do not have any physical limitations.

 

• Sleep with your head in an elevated position for the first few nights if you do not have any physical limitations.. 

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• Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco until site is completely healed.

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• Do not drink any alcoholic beverages while taking the prescribed medication.

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• Avoid picking at the sores. Picking can cause the condition to worsen or spread. It can also create a bacterial skin infection.

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• Avoid sharing utensils and hygiene products.

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• Avoid physical contact with another person while the sores are present.

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• Don’t share products you use to treat the cold sores.

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• Wash your hands after treating a cold sore. 

 

Follow Up Treatment

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• The initial treatment may not produce the expected results and a second treatment may be necessary.

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The success of your treatment depends on keeping all of your scheduled appointments and maintaining your home care as explained by your dentist.  Failure to follow these instructions will result in serious complications that will require further treatment and incur additional fees.

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Following most dental procedures there may or may not be pain, depending on your threshold of pain.  You will be provided with a prescription for appropriate medication for discomfort.  In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen will be given consisting of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil).  If a narcotic has been prescribed, follow the directions carefully.  If you have any questions about these medications interacting with other medications you are presently taking, please call our office, your physician and/or your pharmacist.

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IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CONDITION, NOTIFY DR MORRIS OR A MEMBER OF OUR OFFICE STAFF IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING THE NUMBERS BELOW IN THE ORDER LISTED.

 

Office (780) 962-3414

The cell number provided by your primary dentist at our office

WestView Health Centre (780) 968-3600 or your nearest hospital