HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

After crown and bridge appointments

Crowns and 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 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.

You may experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after the procedure. 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 419-3368.

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.

After Denture Insertion

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the feel of your new denture. Expect the first few weeks to be an adjustment period, during which time you will adapt to the feel of your new dentures, as well as learn how to manipulate your tongue and cheek muscles to keep them in place.

When the bite in your mouth 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 419-3368 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

It is normal to experience some sore spots on your gums from a new denture and often several adjustments are necessary. Please call the office to make an appointment for adjustments as needed. Warm salt water rinses (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) three times a day will reduce the discomfort on the gums. A mild pain medication should ease any residual discomfort until the adjustment appointment.

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 should subside to normal in about a week.

Your dentures are custom designed to fit your smile, but improperly caring for them can cause them to become distorted. Most removable dentures must maintain moisture to retain their shape. Be sure to wash them after eating, gently clean them once daily, and allow them to soak overnight in a denture soaking solution. This will keep your dentures clean and free of stains, which ultimately helps your smile look its best.

Remember not to sleep in your dentures.

After 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 appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at 419-3368.

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.

For amalgam fillings, chew on the side opposite the filling as it takes 24 hours for the filling to fully harden.

After Tooth Extractions

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 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 60 minutes or until the bleeding stops.

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 for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process

After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack (ice wrapped in a towel) applied to the area for the first 24 hours will keep swelling to a minimum.

Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office 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 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 twice a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at 419-3368.

After Root Canals

Most patients experience no or minimal discomfort after a Root Canal.

However some patients may have for the first few days and up to 14 days following the Root Canal some mild pain, soreness and sensitivity that can include throbbing and minor swelling while biting or chewing on the affected tooth. This can be especially pronounced if you had pain, swelling and/or infection prior to your treatment. This discomfort can be spontaneous beginning a few days after your treatment and may continue for 1-2 weeks or longer. If you have symptoms that persist for more than 14 days, please contact our office.

Take any medication that is prescribed for you according to instructions.

Usually a temporary filling has been placed on your tooth between the root canal visits. DO not bite or chew with the tooth while you are numb. Also, be very gentle with the tooth until the permanent restoration is placed. Try to chew on the opposite side. Do not eat anything sticky or chewy for the next few days.

Continue brushing and flossing as normal, being careful on the treated tooth as the temporary filling could dislodge.

Call our office at 419-3368 if you are in severe pain or experience swelling or if you have any questions.