At Generations Family Dentistry, we seek to educate you about your dental procedures from start to finish. Below is information for your at-home care following some of our most popular procedures. As always, if you feel you need attention, please do not hesitate to contact us.
After your cosmetic reconstruction procedure, it might take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When your bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed, it can take several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal.
However, if you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, contact our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
You also may experience some hot and cold sensitivity. Teeth require time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums may also be sore for a few days. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will help reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of acetaminophen or ibuprofen every 3-4 hours) should ease discomfort.
Your speech might be affected for the first few days, but you’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally soon. You may notice increased salivation because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside in about a week.
Continue daily brushing and flossing. Daily plaque removal is crucial for the long-term success of your new teeth, as are regular cleaning appointments.
Any food that can crack, chip or damage a natural tooth can do the same to your new teeth. Avoid hard foods and substances and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please contact us.
Crowns and bridges usually take two to three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are made. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.
Occasionally, a temporary crown may come off. Contact 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 compromising the fit of your final restoration.
To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky and hard foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth if possible. Continue to brush your teeth normally but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss. This could dislodge the temporary crown. Pull the floss through instead.
Experiencing some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment is normal. 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 you have any problems or concerns, please contact us.
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot 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 still 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 important not to disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this will increase blood pressure and could 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. 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 fluid and eat soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
Resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day.
After a few days, you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have any problems or concerns, please contact us.
After an anesthetic has been used during your dental filling procedure, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing and drinking hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off, as it is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
You may experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours) work well to alleviate tenderness.
You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office. If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us.
