Home Care Instructions
After Cosmetic Dental Reconstruction
Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new bite. When the bite is altered or the position of the teeth is changed it takes several days for the brain to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness as normal. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.
It is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. The teeth require some 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 reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.
Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. You’ll quickly adapt and be speaking normally. You may notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside to normal in about a week.
Daily brushing and flossing are a must for your new dental work. Daily plaque removal is critical 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 (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided for you. Adjusting to the look and feel of your new smile will take time. If you have any problems or concerns, please let us know. We always welcome your questions.
After Crown and Bridge Appointments
Dental crowns and dental bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. In the first visit, the teeth are prepared and molds of the mouth are taken. Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being made. Since the teeth will be anesthetized, the tongue, lips and roof of the mouth may be numb. Please refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness is completely worn off.
Occasionally a temporary crown may come off. Call us at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696 if this happens and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it. It is very important for the temporary crown to stay in place, as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration. There are some temporary dental cements available at your local pharmacies, in the event of an emergency where you are unable to come in to our office to recement your temporary crown. Please use carefully, as directed on the instructions, and call us as soon as possible so we can check your crown to make sure that you have recemented it properly.
To keep your temporaries in place, avoid eating sticky foods (gum), hard foods, and if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. It is important to brush normally, but floss carefully and don’t pull up on the floss which may dislodge the temporary but pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. 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 your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696.
After Tooth Extraction
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 60-90 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.
Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. The lack of formation of a stable blood clot following extractions is known as a “Dry Socket“. Dry Sockets develop 2 to 3 days after the tooth is extracted and are increasingly painful. Please contact our office if you suspect that you have a Dry Socket.
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. Apply the ice pack for 10 minutes to the area, then remove the ice pack for 10 minutes. Alternate this on/off application for the first 30-60 minutes. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696 if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. 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 nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction.
You may also rinse with very lightly with warm salt water 24 hours after your extraction to help reduce any swelling in the area and to aid with healing. Add one level teaspoon of table salt to 8 ounces of warm water in a glass, stir and rinse gently for 30 seconds, one to two times daily for 3-5 days.
Avoid eating on the side of the extraction for 3-5 days to allow for initial healing to occur. Eat softer foods for 3-5 days on the opposite side of your mouth to prevent food from getting into the extraction site, and to avoid any sutures (stitches). Then, you can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you will feel fine and can gradually resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696.
After Composite Fillings (White Fillings)
When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.
It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your dental filling appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 4-6 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696.
Avoid chewing on your new fillings as much as possible for the first 24 hours so that the injection site and gum tissue will not be irritated. Chew soft foods, on the opposite side of the new fillings for 24 hours. You may resume normal chewing the following day.
If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at Chicago Office Phone Number (773) 637-8696.