Home Care Instructions

Remember that it will take time to adjust to the look and feel of your new teeth. When your bite is altered or the position of your teeth is changed, it may take several days for your brain to recognize the new position and thickness of your teeth. If you continue to detect any high spots or problems with your bite, call our office so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

After dental treatment, it is normal to experience some hot and cold sensitivity. Your gums may also be sore for several days. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) at least three times daily will reduce pain and swelling. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or ibuprofen (Motrin) every three to four hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

Do not be concerned if your speech is affected for the first few days. Most patients quickly adapt and begin speaking normally. You may also notice increased salivation that will likely. subside.

Daily brushing and flossing are especially essential after recent dental treatment. 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 nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, pencils, and/or sticky candies. Smoking may stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea, and certain berries.

If you engage in sports, let us know so that we can discuss a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth, a night guard may be recommended 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.

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 made. Provisional (temporary) crowns or bridges are placed to protect the teeth while the custom restoration is being fabricated.

Ideally, avoid all sticky, tacky foods like gummy bears, caramels, gum, and taffy.

Also avoid hard foods and substances like nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails and candy. This protocal will help prevent the provisional crown from being damaged or coming loose.

If a provisional crown does come off, please let us know as soon as possible, so it may be recemented. Shifting of the prepared tooth can occur without a temporary crown to stabilize it, potentially compromising the fit of the final crown.

Brushing and flossing are important to the health and healing of the gum tissue surrounding a prepared tooth. Continue your usual hygiene routine such as brushing, flossing, water pics and ultrasonic brushes. When flossing, let go of one end of the floss and pull through the side, rather than back through the contact between your teeth.

Your gum tissues may normally be tender for a few days. Saltwater rinses with gentle brushing will help. You may find that taking Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin before the anesthetic wears off will be helpful also.

You may experience cold or heat sensitivity with a provisional crown. This is normal, and should improve once the final crown is placed.

Do not chew food until the local anesthetic has completely worn off, to avoid biting yourself. Be careful chewing during your first couple meals, allowing your tongue, lip, and cheek to adjust to the new contours of the provisional crown.

As always, feel free to contact our office with any additional questions or concerns.

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 lips 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 three to four hours as needed for discomfort) works well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, please contact our office.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off. Composite fillings are fully set when you leave the office. As always, feel free to contact our office with any additional questions or concerns.

Be careful with your lip, tongue, cheek, while you are numb. Do not eat until the anesthetic has worn off completely to avoid biting yourself. (Its easy to do when your mouth is numb!)

When you are ready for your first meal, make it a soft one. Do not eat foods that are hard or crunchy for a 24-hour period. Try to eat on the opposite side of your filling for that first 24 hours.

Something to drink right away is ok, but be careful with hot beverages!

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 three to four hours as needed for discomfort) works well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, please contact our office.

• The maximum amount of swelling or discomfort usually occurs within the first 3 days following surgery. Use ice packs continuously (if possible) to control swelling for the first 3-4 days. It is normal to see more swelling or bruising on the second or third day.
• Slight bleeding may normally continue for 3 days. To control bleeding and to protect the blood clot, maintain gentle pressure by biting on the gauze sponge that has been placed over the surgical area. Keep steady pressure for 45 minutes and change the gauze as needed. You may remove the gauze once the bleeding has stopped. Repeat as often as needed. If the surgical site continues to bleed, place a gauze sponge or moistened tea bag, in a gauze sponge, over the area and repeat the above directions. You may remove the gauze prior to sleeping.
• For proper healing, it is very important that your intake of food and water be adequate. You should not chew solid foods of any nature, for several days or longer. Avoid hot food and drink while you are still “numb.” Follow a nutritionally balanced liquid and soft food diet. Soft foods such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, jello, soup, ice cream, milkshakes, baby food, eggs, blenderized foods, Carnation Instant Breakfast and other liquid nutritional supplements (i.e. “ENSURE”) are ideal for the first 3-7 days.
• Avoid all excessive activity. Do not disturb the surgical area. Do not consume liquids through a straw. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Avoid all forms of tobacco for at least one week and until healing is well established. DO NOT SPIT. Let saliva drool from your mouth. Do not blow your nose. You may need a decongestant to keep your sinus and nasal passages clear. You may continue to use your usual medications, or inhalers, as prescribed. Unless instructed otherwise, you may continue to use your dentures, partials, splints or retainers.
• Following dental surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. Even before discomfort develops, it is helpful to start taking the recommended dose of any of the following over-the-counter pain medications: Ibuprofen (i.e. generic, Motrin or Advil), Aleve, Aspirin or Tylenol. Then, if necessary, you may supplement these medications with your prescribed pain medication. Your local anesthetic (numbness) may last over 24 hours and you should not be alarmed.
• Do not rinse or use a mouthwash for at least 24 hours. After 24 hours, rinse gently, several times a day, with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water) or your prescribed rinse (i.e. Peridex), to promote healing. If a periodontal packing (dressing) has been placed, leave this intact until you return for your follow-up appointment. If this packing becomes loose sooner, just leave it off and continue to use your prescribed rinse.
• Continue with your oral hygiene program (brushing, flossing and toothpicks) but do this very carefully around the surgical sites. A clean mouth heals faster.
• If sutures were placed, they may need to be removed in 7-14 days. It is necessary to keep your appointment in order to avoid infection. Some sutures will dissolve spontaneously.
• If you have any allergic reactions, generalized rash, or other complications, call our office immediately Loveland Office Phone Number 970-663-1000) or the hospital emergency room.

• Usually, the maximum amount of swelling or discomfort occurs within the first 3 days following surgery. Use ice packs continuously (if possible) to control swelling for the first 3-4 days. It is normal to see more swelling or bruising on the second or third day.
• Slight bleeding may normally continue for 3 days. For the first 24 hours, keep your dentures in and try not to remove them. After 24 hours, you may start removing your dentures to clean them and rinse your mouth. Then, immediately put your dentures back in place.
• For the first week your dentures may be worn all day except to remove for cleaning. After the first week, only wear your dentures during the day and leave them out at night to allow your tissues to heal properly. We may modify this protocol depending on your specific situation.
• During your healing process, your dentures may become loose. This is normal and soft relines may need to be added periodically. Be gentle when cleaning these soft relines as they may become damaged. To ensure that your dentures do not break, make sure when cleaning your dentures that the basin of your sink is partially filled with water. Also, use only products that are made to clean dentures. Bleach and other harsh chemicals can permanently damage your denture.
• For proper healing, it is very important that your intake of food and water be adequate. You should not chew solid foods of any nature, until you feel comfortable. Healing varies with every individual, so do not get discouraged if it takes several months before you can eat solid food. Avoid hot food and drink while you are still numb. Follow a nutritionally balanced liquid and soft food diet. Soft foods such as yogurt, pudding, jello, soup, ice cream, milkshakes, baby food, eggs, blenderized foods, Carnation Instant Breakfast and other liquid nutritional supplements (i.e. Ensure) are ideal.
• Avoid Excessive activity. Do not disturb the surgical area for the first 24 hours after surgery, including rinsing. After 24 hours, rinse gently, several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water) or your prescribed rinse (i.e. Peridex), to promote healing. A clean mouth heals faster. Do not consume liquids through a straw. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Avoid all forms of tobacco for at least one week and until healing is well established. Do not spit. Let saliva drool from your mouth (you may notice excessive saliva with your new dentures). Do not blow your nose. You may need a decongestant to keep your sinus and nasal passages clear. You may continue to use your medications, or inhalers, as prescribed.
• Following dental surgery it is normal to experience some discomfort. Even before discomfort develops, it is helpful to start taking the recommended dose of any of the following over the counter pain medications: Ibuprofen (i.e. generic, Motrin, or Advil), Aleve, Aspirin or Tylenol. Then, if necessary, you may supplement these medications with your prescribed pain medications. Your local anesthetic (numbness) may last over 24 hours and you should not be alarmed.
• If sutures were placed, they may need to be removed. Some sutures dissolve spontaneously.
• If you have any allergic reactions, generalized rash, or other complications, call our office immediately Loveland Office Phone Number 970-663-1000) or the hospital emergency room.

• Initially, you may not notice much change in your symptoms and/or experience difficulty falling asleep. This is normal and will change as you get use to your appliance and treatment progresses.
• Excess saliva may occur and will diminish.
• You may experience some tooth or gum discomfort. This is normal and will subside with time.
• It is not uncommon to experience some jaw joint pain and/or teeth movement. In order to minimize these symptoms, make sure to do your jaw exercises as instructed every morning.
• Make sure to keep your appliance clean by brushing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Do not use any products on your appliance that are not otherwise indicated.
• Keep your dental appliance away from pets.
• Do not leave your appliance in direct sunlight or any hot areas.
• If any dental work is done on your teeth, an adjustment may be needed on your appliance. Please contact us if this occurs.
• Never use your bite forces to put your appliance into place. This may cause permanent damage. Always use gentle finger pressure to seat your appliance into place.
• Make sure you use proper sleep oral hygiene as outlined in our brochure.