Home Care Instructions

When you dental work done there are typically certain care instructions you need to follow once you get home. We have included a variety of dental procedures and the most common home instructions for a full and safe recovery.

Home Care After Cosmetic Reconstruction

After undergoing cosmetic reconstruction it will take some time for your new bite to feel ‘normal’ and your brain is partly to blame for that. It has to recognize and adapt to your teeth’s new position or thickness. If your bite does not feel right just give us a call and we will schedule a time to make an adjustment.
Most patients will experience sensitivity to hot and cold but this will subside in a few days once your teeth have healed. You might also experience gum soreness for a couple of days. You can take over the counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen, and any prescribed medication as directed. This can help ease the pain, swelling and discomfort. Rinsing with warm salt water up to three times a day can also help lessen any present pain or swelling.
If you feel that you aren’t talking correctly after cosmetic reconstruction do not be alarmed. It will take just a short time to adapt and then your speech will become normal again. Some patients experience more saliva which typically goes away within a week.
Resume your normal brushing and flossing every day to properly care for your teeth. Eliminating this daily plaque build-up is critical in preventing diseases and ensuring the longevity of your new teeth. Don’t forget to call us and schedule a cleaning appointment regularly throughout the year.

Home Care After Bridge and Crown Appointments

When you have bridge or crown work done you can expect to have up to three visits. We must take moulds of your mouth and prepare your teeth. We can then place a temporary crown or bridge to continue protecting your teeth while your custom restoration is crafted. You will likely experience numbness In the roof of your mouth, your tongue and even your lips due to the anesthetic applied to the teeth. Avoid any hot drinks or food until the numbness has entirely subsided.

Sometimes a temporary crown can come off and if this happens all you need to do is phone us and bring it with you to your appointment. We will put it back in and need to do it right away. If you wait too long after it has fallen off to see us the teeth won’t be able to move and your final restoration would be compromised.

We have stressed the importance of your crowns staying in place and while they occasionally come off we have provided the following tips to help keep them in place.
Do not eat hard or sticky foods while you have a temporary crown.
Chew on the opposite side of the mouth; not where the temporary crown is.
Brush as your normally do but be very careful when flossing around the crown.
If you experience sensitivity to pressure or temperatures after your appointments do not be alarmed. When your final restoration is placed you will notice the sensitivity subside within a few weeks. Take any prescribed pain medication as directed during this time.

Home Care After Tooth Extractions

When you have a tooth extracted the first focus is stopping the bleeding so the gums can heal. We will place a piece of gauze in your mouth after we have removed the tooth. You will need to leave the gauze in place for up to an hour after your appointment. If you are still experiencing bleeding simply put a clean piece of gauze in and bite down until the bleeding stops. Some patients will have to do this several times before the bleeding completely resides.
A blood clot will form and you will want to leave it alone as it is part of the healing process. While it’s healing you want to avoid sucking on anything, drinking alcohol, smoking, or brushing next to the site for 3 days. If you do any of these you risk contacting the blood clot which will hinder the healing. You should also avoid any vigorous exercise for a day or so as this can increase the bleeding.
Slight pain and possible swelling might occur after a tooth extraction but can be relieved with an ice compress (bag of frozen peas works well too) on the area. This will help reduce swelling and ease the pain. You can take ibuprofen and any prescribed medications to also help with pain relief at home. Your swelling should disappear within two days.
Prescribed Pain Medication & Antibiotics
It’s important that you take your medicine exactly as directed by your dentist. If you aren’t getting any relief from the medicine just give us a call. If you were prescribed antibiotics as well you should continue taking those as directed. Should your symptoms subside and you begin to feel better it’s important that you continue taking the antibiotics. Eat a soft food diet while you’re healing and drink a lot of fluid; especially while taking the antibiotics.
Resume Normal Oral Care Routine
After 24 hours you can start your oral care routine again, brushing and flossing just as before. This can actually help you heal faster and continue to keep the bacteria away. It typically takes a few to several days to feel well enough to resume daily activities.
Should you still have swelling of the area, excruciating pain or intense bleeding after a few days call our office right away so we can get you in. If you have a bad reaction to the medication or antibiotics prescribed call us right away.

Home Care After Composite Fillings

When you have composite fillings (white fillings) you will likely be numb in the mouth for several hours afterwards. During this time you don’t want to chew and you don’t want to drink hot liquids. When your mouth is numb you risk biting your tongue or worse yet, burning it.
Sensitivity to pressure, hot or cold temperatures is also normal. You might be sore where anesthetic was injected but this pain can be relieved with over the counter pain relievers. If you are still in pain or the sensitivity hasn’t subsided, or has increased after several days, call our office right away.
You will be able to resume chewing again once all signs of the anesthetic have been erased. Your fillings are completely set by the time you leave here but it’s important to wait for the numbness and anesthetic to wear off first.
We encourage you to call us if your bite doesn’t feel quite right or you continue to be in pain after some time. We will schedule a visit to assess your concerns and find a solution.