After Care Instructions

Need to Know – After Care Instructions

It is difficult to cover every aspect of your after care in the summaries below. Always feel comfortable to contact us if you have additional questions. We are here to help!!

Fillings

  1. If dental anesthetic was used during your procedure, you will likely feel the effects from this for 2-5 hours. Soreness at the injection site is normal. Irritation and swelling are very common for 7-10 days following the procedure.
  2. With most fillings, eating is permitted immediately. Use caution if still under the effects of the anesthetic. Chewing soreness is normal for 1-2 weeks after a filling is placed. If you still have soreness after 2 weeks, please call our office to discuss whether a bite adjustment is needed.
  3. Temperature sensitivity is the most common annoyance after any dental work. The range of time sensitivity can be experienced is broad, weeks to months. As long as the sensitivity is limited to cold temperatures, no additional treatment is necessary. The best course of action would be to use a sensitivity toothpaste.

Crown/Bridge/Veneer

  1. If dental anesthetic was used during your procedure, you will likely feel the effects from this for 2-5 hours. Soreness at the injection site is normal. Irritation and swelling are very common for 7-10 days following the procedure.
  2. DO NOT CHEW—on the temporary. Obviously this is not always avoidable, use caution when chewing. Your temporary is made from an acrylic resin (a plastic) and can break under the pressures of chewing. Also, the adhesive used to place a temporary is weak and not meant for strong chewing forces. Often chewing on a temporary produces chewing pain due to the weak adhesion.
  3. DO NOT FLOSS—bet you thought you would never hear a dentist say that!! Flossing can put pressure on the temporary and dislodge it. If this happens, save the temporary and call our office.
  4. LOST/BROKEN—if your temporary comes off, breaks or you swallow it, do NOT PANIC!! The temporary is not protective and your tooth will not experience any harm as a result of the temporary being missing. Call our office and we will schedule you to fix the temporary.
  5. IT WILL HURT—dental procedures are intense experiences for both the tooth and the patient. Inflammation is common after the care provided to prepare your tooth/teeth for a crown. Inflammation can present as a strong toothache that requires over the counter medications to mitigate your symptoms. For 7-10 days after the procedure it may be necessary to take something on a regular schedule to tolerate the healing phase of your treatment. If you have questions about what and when to take medicine, please contact our office for more details.
  6. If your temporary falls off and you wish to place it back on yourself, you can do so using a denture adhesive. This product is commonly found in the dental aisle at grocery and drug stores.

Extractions

  1. If dental anesthetic was used during your procedure, you will likely feel the effects from this for 2-5 hours. Soreness at the injection site is normal. Irritation and swelling are not uncommon for 7-10 days.
  2. DO NOT SMOKE, this is to aid in healing and protect the clot.
  3. DO NOT exercise or use a straw for 72 hours. This is to prevent damage to the clot.
  4. Avoid chewing in the area of the extraction for about 7-10 days
  5. Avoid spicy and hot foods for several days
  6. Over the counter analgesics should be all that is needed to manage discomfort. If this is not working for you, please call us.

Biteguards, Sleep Apnea Devices and Retainers

  1. ALWAYS store in a proper case and in a drawer when not being worn. The number one reason we replace oral appliances is DOGS EATING them!!
  2. Wear your appliance daily as instructed.
  3. Clean your appliance daily using warm tap water and a clear liquid soap. Some appliances it is safe to use an effervescent cleaner often found in the dental aisle of grocery and drug stores

Scaling & Root Planing

  1. It may be necessary to use over the counter analgesics to mitigate pain and soreness after a deep cleaning.
  2. Avoid flossing or using your water flosser on the day of treatment.
  3. Use a warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day for several days after treatment. A half teaspoon of salt dissolved in a quarter cup of warm tap water is suggested.
  4. Follow specific instructions provided by your hygienist.