Home care, for a smooth recovery.

Crowns and bridges usually take two appointments. At the first, we prepare the teeth, take molds of your mouth and place a temporary crown or bridge to protect the teeth while your custom restoration is made.

Your tongue, lips and the roof of your mouth may be numb. Please don’t eat or drink hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.

Keeping your temporary in place

• If a temporary comes off, call us and bring it with you so we can re-cement it. It keeps your other teeth from shifting and protects the fit of your final restoration.
• Avoid sticky foods like gum, and hard foods. If possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
• Brush normally, but floss carefully — pull the floss out from the side instead of lifting it up, which can dislodge the temporary.

Some temperature and pressure sensitivity is normal after each appointment and should fade a few weeks after your final restoration is placed. Mild pain relievers can help, as directed by our office.

If your bite feels uneven, you have persistent pain, or you have any other concerns, please call our office.

After an extraction, a blood clot needs to form to stop the bleeding and start healing. Bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after your appointment. If bleeding or oozing continues, place a fresh pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may need to repeat this a few times.

Protect the clot for 72 hours

• Don’t rinse vigorously, drink through a straw, smoke or drink alcohol.
• Don’t brush the teeth right next to the extraction site.
• Limit vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours — it raises blood pressure and can restart bleeding.

Managing pain and swelling

Some pain and swelling is normal. An ice pack — or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn — helps keep swelling down, which usually subsides after 48 hours. Take pain medication as directed and call us if it doesn’t seem to be working. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, finish the full course even if symptoms are gone.

Drink plenty of fluids and eat soft, nutritious food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally once you’re comfortable, and resume brushing and flossing after 24 hours to speed healing.

Call our office right away if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, swelling that continues for two to three days, or a reaction to your medication.

If we used anesthetic, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid chewing and hot drinks until the numbness wears off — it’s easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you’re numb.

Some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity is normal, and the injection site may be sore. Ibuprofen, Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every three to four hours as needed) works well for tenderness. If pressure sensitivity lasts more than a few days, or sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.

Composite fillings are fully set when you leave the office, so you can chew on them as soon as the anesthetic wears off.

It takes a few days for your brain to get used to the new position and thickness of your teeth. If you still notice high spots or bite problems after that, call us to schedule an adjustment.

Hot and cold sensitivity is normal while your teeth heal, and your gums may be sore for a few days. Rinse with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day to reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain reliever — one tablet of Tylenol or ibuprofen every three to four hours — should ease any discomfort.

Your speech may be affected for the first few days, and you may notice extra saliva as your mouth adjusts to the new size and shape of your teeth. Both should return to normal within about a week.

Caring for your new smile

• Brush and floss every day — daily plaque removal and regular cleanings are critical for long-term success.
• Avoid hard foods and objects like nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails and pencils, as well as sticky candy.
• Minimize stain-causing foods and drinks like coffee, red wine, tea and berries. Smoking will stain your new teeth.
• Tell us if you play sports so we can make a custom mouthguard, and wear your night guard if you grind your teeth.