Tips on How to Maintain Your Oral Health at Home
Home Care Instructions
After Cosmetic Reconstruction
Following cosmetic dental surgery, 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, please contact us.
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 beginning. 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.
Don’t be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. Your speech will correct itself soon enough. You may also notice increased salivation. This is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should return 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. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.
After Crown and Bridge Appointments
Crowns and bridges usually take two or three appointments to complete. During 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 has 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 crown 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 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, it may dislodge the temporaries, pull the floss out from the side of the temporary crown.
It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after your crown and bridge appointment. The sensitivity should subside a few weeks after the final restoration placement. Mild pain medications may also be used as directed by our office.
If your bite feels uneven, you have persistent pain, or you have questions or concerns, please call our office.
After Tooth Extraction
After tooth extraction, the healing process begins with the formation of a blood clot which stops the bleeding. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times until the blood begins to clot.
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 delay the healing process. 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 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.
Use the pain medication as directed. Call our 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 once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean. However, avoid brushing the teeth close to the extraction site for 72 hours.
If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2 to 3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately.
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 and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or Aspirin (one tablet every 3 to 4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days, or sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office.
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 call our office at +91 94300 52186.