After-Care Instructions

It takes a few days for your brain to recognize a new bite or the new shape of your teeth as normal. If you still notice high spots or bite problems after that, call us so we can schedule an adjustment.

Some hot and cold sensitivity is normal, and your gums may be sore for a few days. Warm salt-water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day help. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the label, should ease any discomfort.

Your speech may feel different for a few days and you may notice extra saliva. Both settle in about a week.

Brush and floss daily and keep your regular cleaning visits. Avoid very hard foods and objects (ice, hard candy, fingernails, pens) and sticky sweets. Coffee, red wine, tea, berries and smoking can stain. If you play sports, ask us about a custom mouthguard. If you grind at night, wear the night guard we made for you.

Crowns and bridges usually take two or three visits. A temporary protects your teeth while the final restoration is made. Avoid eating and hot drinks until the numbness wears off.

If a temporary comes off, call us and bring it with you so we can re-cement it. Keeping it in place stops neighboring teeth from shifting.

Avoid sticky and hard foods and chew on the other side when you can. Brush normally; when flossing, slide the floss out from the side instead of pulling up.

Some temperature and pressure sensitivity is normal and should fade within a few weeks of the final crown. Call us if your bite feels uneven or pain persists.

Bite on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes so a blood clot can form. If oozing continues, replace the gauze and bite firmly for another 30 minutes.

Protect the clot: for 72 hours, don’t rinse vigorously, use straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush right next to the site. Limit vigorous exercise for 24 hours.

Some pain and swelling is normal. An ice pack on the cheek helps, and swelling usually eases after 48 hours. Take medication as directed, and finish any antibiotics you are prescribed.

Drink plenty of fluids and choose soft foods on the first day. Resume gentle brushing and flossing after 24 hours. Call us right away for heavy bleeding, severe pain, swelling that lasts more than two or three days, or a reaction to medication.

If you had anesthetic, your lips and tongue may stay numb for a few hours. Avoid chewing and hot drinks until it wears off so you don’t bite or burn yourself.

Mild sensitivity to hot, cold and pressure is normal, and the injection site may be tender. Composite fillings are fully set when you leave, so you can chew normally once the numbness is gone.

If pressure sensitivity lasts more than a few days, sensitivity gets worse, or your bite feels uneven, call us.