Home Care Instructions
for Patients

After Cosmetic Reconstruction

Adjusting to your new bite may take some time. When the bite is altered, or the position of the teeth is changed, it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, please contact our office so that we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This is normal, as the teeth require some time to heal after the removal of tooth structure. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm saltwater rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times daily will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3–4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

Your speech may be affected for the first few days, but you’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation due to your brain responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.

Daily brushing and flossing are crucial for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments. Avoid hard foods and substances (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain, such as coffee, red wine, tea, and berries.

If you engage in sports, let us know, so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Crowns and dental bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and moulds of the mouth are taken. Temporary dental crowns or dental bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anaesthetized, the tongue, lips, and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.

Occasionally, a temporary crown may come off. Call us if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you, so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromise the fit of your final restoration.

To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods, hard foods, and, if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is essential to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss, which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.

It is normal to experience some temperature and 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.

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

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, a blood clot needs to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is essential not to disturb or dislodge the clot, as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush your teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

After the tooth is extracted, you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.

Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

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

After Composite Fillings (White Fillings)

After your appointment, it is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3–4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anaesthetic completely wears off since they are fully set when you leave the office.

We would be happy to answer any questions or concerns regarding your bite, persistent pain, or any other dental concern.