Home Care Instructions

If you have any issues or experience any symptoms associated with your treatment, please don’t hesitate to call us.

Cosmetic Reconstruction Aftercare

It takes a few days for your brain to adjust to your new smile’s shape after a reconstructive procedure. Your teeth will be more sensitive to things like hot & cold. Your gums may also be sore for a few days depending on what was done.

• Rinse with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in warm water) three times a day to reduce pain & swelling.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to deal with any discomfort.

• Regular brushing & flossing is a must. 
• Continue with regular cleaning appointments every 6 months.

• Avoid hard foods & substances such as hard candy to prevent tooth damage.
• Drop any bad habits like chewing on your pen! 
• Avoid smoking or excess amounts of drinks like coffee or wine to prevent stains.

You may also find you have difficulty speaking as you normally would. Again, your brain is adjusting to the changes from your procedure & this will wear off quickly.

If you’re especially active in more contact activities, we’re happy to make a mouthguard that is custom fit for your new smile.

Crown & Bridge Aftercare

Crowns & bridges can take 2–3 appointments to complete. You may experience numbness just after a treatment.

• Avoid food & drink that is especially hot or cold.

• Avoid sticky food to maintain your crown, especially if you are wearing a temporary one between procedures. 
• Favoring the affected side of your mouth can also help at this stage. 
• Brush normally, but floss carefully & don’t pull up on the floss. Doing so may dislodge the temporary crown. Pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown instead.
• In the unlikely event that a crown falls off, contact us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. If you can, lean the crown & keep it in a safe container to bring to the office. We may be able to reattach it.

It is normal to experience some temperature & pressure sensitivity after each appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the placement of the final restoration. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.

After Tooth Extraction

• After tooth extraction, bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes after the appointment. This will help a clot form to begin the healing process. You may need to do this a few times.
• After the clot forms, don’t disturb or dislodge it. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. Doing so will dislodge or dissolve the clot & slow the healing process.
• Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure & may cause the site to reopen.

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain & experience some swelling. 

• Use an ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen food to keep swelling to a minimum. 
• Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after two days.
• If antibiotics are prescribed, take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs & symptoms of infection are gone. 
• Drink lots of fluid & eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
• Resume a healthy regular dental routine after 24 hours. This will speed healing & help keep your mouth fresh & clean.

After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2–3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.

After Composite Fillings (White Fillings)

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips & tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment.

• Avoid food & drink that is especially hot or cold
• You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

Injection sites may also be sore & you may feel some sensitivity to pressure.

• Use over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate the tenderness. 
• If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office.