• If you received anesthesia, please make sure that the local anesthetic has completely worn off before chewing. This is to prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks, or tongue.
• Now that your crown or bridge has been cemented, there are a few things to expect and care for. Initially, you may experience some sensitivity to cold as the tooth may be slightly irritated by the cement. Sensitivity toothpaste generally helps (i.e., Sensodyne or Crest for sensitive teeth).
• If after a couple of days your “bite” seems off, please call our office for a slight adjustment.
• It is extremely important to maintain excellent oral hygiene with your new crown or bridge. Some people have the misconception that a crowned tooth no longer needs to be maintained. Crowns and bridges are still susceptible to decay near the gum line, just like a natural tooth.
• Normal brushing and flossing are a must. Additional use of a fluoride rinse (i.e., Carifree or ACT) is great at preventing root decay. These additional aids are especially important for patients with a high decay rate and/or a history of periodontal disease.

• Please make sure that the local anesthetic has completely worn off before chewing. This is to prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks, or tongue.
• Do not drink anything hot until the numbness has worn off to avoid burning yourself.
• We only place tooth-colored resin-type fillings, and these fillings are completely hardened once the treatment is completed. You can eat on them as soon as the numbness wears off.
• Post-treatment cold sensitivity is not uncommon. This is usually a normal reaction of the nerve following the treatment.
• If sensitivity persists beyond a week or seems to worsen, please call our office.
• If your bite seems off or if you cannot bite normally, please call us so we can adjust your filling. Do not wait for it to wear down on its own, as the tooth may become tender.
• Proper brushing and flossing are important to prolong the longevity of your fillings and prevent recurrent decay around them.

Day of Surgery

• Do not disturb the surgical area. Bite firmly on a gauze pad for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to control normal post-extraction oozing. Replace with a clean gauze pad if needed. Oozing may continue for up to 24 hours. Do not keep gauze in your mouth without active bleeding.
• Avoid spitting, sucking on candy, or using a straw.
• Avoid rinsing your mouth vigorously, and do not brush or floss near the extraction site.
• Avoid tobacco products for at least 72 hours.
• To reduce bleeding, avoid vigorous activity and keep your head elevated when lying down. Once numbness has completely worn off, drink plenty of fluids, eat soft foods, and chew on the opposite side.
• Swelling and bruising are expected and usually peak within 48 hours. Apply cold packs or ice wrapped in a towel to the outside of the surgical area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24–48 hours. After 48 hours, switch to moist heat until swelling subsides. Jaw stiffness and difficulty opening the mouth may occur.
• Take a pain reliever before the anesthetic wears off or as recommended.

Next Day

• Eat nourishing foods that are comfortable to chew.
• Brush and floss as usual, but use caution around the extraction site for the first week.
• Continue all prescribed antibiotics for the full course, even if symptoms improve.
• Apply moist heat to swelling as needed.
• Rinse with warm salt water every 3 hours for the first few days, then 3–4 times daily for a week (½ tsp salt in 1 cup of warm water).
• Contact our office if you experience heavy bleeding, pain or swelling lasting more than two days, a bad taste in your mouth, or any reaction to medication.

If you received anesthesia, do not chew until the numbness has subsided. This helps prevent you from biting your lip, cheeks, or tongue.

• Avoid eating hard or sticky foods, such as chewing gum, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth when possible.
• Brush as usual, but floss with care. When flossing, slide the floss out from the side of the tooth rather than lifting it up.
• Use a desensitizing toothpaste if your teeth are sensitive to heat, cold, or pressure. Contact our office if sensitivity increases or persists beyond a few days.
• Contact us if the crown comes off, and save it so it can be re-cemented.
• It is important that the temporary crown stays in place to ensure the proper fit of the permanent crown.
• If your bite feels uneven, or if you have persistent sensitivity or discomfort, please call our office.

Please read these instructions completely and carefully.

• Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease. The purpose is to remove bacterial plaque and tartar from around the teeth and under the gum line, which can cause bone loss. The goal is to create clean, smooth tooth and root surfaces to promote healing of inflammation and infection.
• After treatment, avoid eating on the treated area for two hours or until the anesthetic has completely worn off.
• Avoid sticky, hard (such as ice, nuts, popcorn, chips), brittle, spicy, highly seasoned, or acidic foods. Softer foods like soups, pasta, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese are recommended. Maintain good nutrition and drink plenty of fluids.
• Rinse your mouth 2–3 times daily with warm salt water, especially after eating. Use one teaspoon of salt for every 3 ounces of water. If prescribed Peridex (Chlorhexidine), use as directed.
• Resume brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, but be gentle around treated areas. Mild bleeding during brushing for a few days is normal.
• Avoid smoking for 24–48 hours after treatment, as tobacco delays healing.
• You may take a non-aspirin pain reliever such as Ibuprofen (Advil) or Tylenol, unless contraindicated due to allergies or medical conditions.
• Some cold sensitivity is normal and should gradually subside within a few weeks. If needed, use desensitizing toothpastes such as Crest Sensitivity, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, or Sensodyne. Avoid whitening or baking soda toothpastes, as they may increase sensitivity.