After Cosmetic Reconstruction
It may take time to adjust to the feel of your brand-new bite. When the position of the teeth is changed or the bite is altered, it takes many days for the “brain” to recognize the new position of your teeth or their new thickness as normal. If you continue to feel any issues with your bite or detect any high spots, call us so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
Removing any tooth structure and placement of new materials may result in an adjustment period. It is normal to experience some pressure sensitivity, as well as cold and hot sensitivity. Your gums may be sore for many days. Be sure to rinse 3 times a day with a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, with the rinse-swish-spit routine to reduce swelling and pain. During your adjustment period, mild pain medication may be utilized if you experience any kind of discomfort.
As well, do not be alarmed if your speech is affected for the first few days. You will adapt quickly and be speaking normally in no time. You may notice increased salivary flow as your brain may respond to the new shape and size of your teeth by increasing salivary flow. Within a week or two, this should subside to normal.
Removing plaque on a daily basis is critical for the long term success of your dental work. Keep a regular oral hygiene routine as part of your daily maintenance. Brushing and flossing every day is extremely important. Regular cleaning appointments in our office are also exceptionally important. We have the appropriate cleaning techniques and abrasives for your particular cosmetic work.
In order to protect your new teeth, it is important to change habits. For instance, any food that could crack, damage or chip your natural teeth can do the same to your new cosmetic restorations. Avoid any unusually hard foods or sticky candies and substances such as ice, peanut brittle, pencils or fingernails. Minimize or avoid the use of foods that stain including berries, red wine, tea and coffee. Smoking will quickly turn your teeth yellow.
Adjusting to the feel and look of your new smile will take some time. If you have any concerns or problems, we always welcome your questions. If you engage in sports or grind your teeth at night, please let us know so we can customize a mouth guard for you.
After Crown and Bridge Appointments
It is normal for bridges and crowns to take 2 or 3 appointments to finish. The initial appointment is for preparing the teeth. Temporary bridges or crowns are placed in order to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. It is common for your teeth, lips and tongue to be numb for many hours after the appointment due to the anesthetic; therefore, avoid any chewing until the numbness has totally worn off. There are rare occasions when temporary crowns fall off. If this happens, keep the temporary so that we can re-cement it on to your tooth. It is important for the correct fit of your final restoration that temporaries stay securely in place.
After each appointment, it is common to experience some pressure, cold and hot sensitivity. Your gums may be sore for a few days as well. Rinse 3 times a day with warm salt water. Use a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water with a rinse-swish-spit routine in order to help reduce any swelling or pain. Only use medication as directed.
In order to help keep your temporary crown in place, avoid eating sticky, chewy foods, especially gum. Also avoid hard foods for the first few days and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth if you can. It is vital to keep brushing normally after the procedure, however, make sure to floss very carefully. Remove the floss from the side in order to prevent accidentally removing the temporary crown.
If you have any concerns or questions, or if your bridge feels uneven in any manner, please call our office and we will make sure that everything is fitting correctly and is comfortable.
After Fillings
It is common for your tongue, teeth and lips to be numb for several hours after the appointment if anesthetic has been used. Be sure to avoid chewing until the numbness is completely subsided. As well, it is common to experience some cold, hot and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Additionally, your gums may be sore or tender for many days. In order to help with any discomfort, rinse your mouth 3 times a day with warm salt water to reduce swelling and pain. Using a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and doing the rinse-swish-spit routine should do the trick.
It is important not to chew directly on your new silver fillings and not to chew hard foods for the first 24 hours. Be sure to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. On white fillings, it is possible to chew right away as they completely set on the day of your appointment.
If you have persistent pain or your bite feels uneven, or if you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to call our office.
After Root Canal Therapy
It often takes 2 or more appointments to complete root canal therapy. A temporary crown or filling is placed to protect the tooth between appointments. After any appointment where anesthetic has been used, your tongue, lips and teeth can feel numb for several hours after the appointment. Be sure to avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off, or you may accidentally bite your tongue badly.
Occasionally, between appointments, it is common for a tiny portion of your temporary filling to break off or wear away. If a temporary crown comes off or the entire filling falls out, please call us right away so that it can be replaced.
After a root canal appointment, it is common to experience some discomfort for several days afterwards, particularly when chewing. In order to control any discomfort, take pain medication as recommended by the Dentist. Try rinsing your mouth 3 times a day with a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water to help reduce swelling and pain. The rinse-swish-spit routine works well.
If the Dentist has prescribed antibiotics, continue to take them as prescribed, even if all signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Avoid eating all sticky foods, particularly gum, in order to help keep your temporary filling in place and help protect the tooth. Continue to floss and brush your teeth normally, as maintaining your dental hygiene is vital to keeping your mouth healthy.
Generally, the last step after root canal treatment is placing a crown on the tooth. A crown protects and covers the tooth from breaking in the future. If you have any persistent pain or swelling or if your bite feels uneven, or if you have any other concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office.
After Tooth Extraction
It is important for a blood clot to form in order to stop the bleeding after an extraction. This is the beginning of the healing process. The clot formation is extremely important and this is why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad. If oozing or bleeding continues after the gauze pad is removed, place another gauze pad and bite down firmly for another 30 minutes. Some patients need to repeat this process several times. Once the blood clot forms, it is important to protect it for the next 24 hours.
In order to protect your blood-clot do not do any of the following:
- Smoke
- Rinse your mouth vigorously
- Suck liquids through a straw
- Clean the teeth next to the extraction site
Any of the above mentioned activities can actually dislodge the clot and greatly slow down the healing process. Stick to calm and relaxing activities for the first 24 hours, as this reduces bleeding and keeps your blood pressure lower so the healing process goes smoothly. You may experience some swelling or pain after the tooth is extracted. Some patients find utilizing an ice bag can keep discomfort to a minimum. Typically, the swelling starts to subside after 48 hours.
Be sure to use pain medication only as directed. If it does not seem to be working, please call our office at 705-748-2454. If antibiotics have been prescribed, continue taking them for the indicated amount of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Eat only soft and nutritious foods and drink lots of fluid on the day of the extraction. Avoid spicy and hot foods as well as alcoholic beverages. You can start eating normally the following day or as soon as it feels comfortable.
Starting the day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with salt water. Use a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse-swish-spit to cleanse. It is wise to gently rinse after meals in order to keep food out of the extraction site. It is extremely important to resume your regular dental routine after 24 hours, including brushing your tongue and teeth and flossing daily. This speeds healing and ensures that your breath and mouth stay fresh.
If you experience any severe pain, heavy bleeding or continued swelling after 2 or 3 days or have any reaction to the medication, call us immediately at 705-748-2454. After a few days you will be feeling great and be able to resume your normal activities.