It can be easy to forget all the instructions that we give at the end of your dental appointment - so here's a handy guide to remind you!
After a Cleaning Appointment
If you've had fluoride treatment, do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after the appointment.
If your gums feel sore after the cleaning, you can rinse your mouth with salt water to help speed up healing.
If your teeth feel more cold sensitive after the cleaning, use a sensitive toothpaste (e.g. Sensodyne) to help reduce sensitivity.
After a Filling Appointment
You may eat or drink once the freezing (anesthetic) wears off.
If you've had a silver (amalgam) filling placed, avoid chewing on that tooth for 24 hours to allow the filling material to set completely.
If you've had a white (composite) filling placed, you may chew on that tooth right away.
Your tooth may feel temperature sensitive after the appointment. You can use an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the discomfort.
If your filling feels “high” (you can feel the filling when you bite), you must call the office for a quick adjustment appointment.
After a Crown or Bridge Preparation Appointment
It is common for the tooth to feel temperature sensitive after the appointment. You can use an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the discomfort.
If your gums around the tooth feel sore, you can rinse your mouth with salt water to help speed up healing.
You may eat or drink once the freezing (anesthetic) wears off. Do not chew hard or sticky foods on the temporary crown/bridge.
If the temporary crown/bridge comes off, please put it back on with some Vaseline or chapstick. Do not leave a temporary crown/bridge off of the tooth, even if it doesn’t hurt. If you are having trouble putting it back on, or if it is broken, please make an appointment to see us.
Brush your teeth as usual. When flossing around the temporary crown/bridge, pull the floss out towards the side - do not pull floss upwards or downwards.
Clean under a temporary bridge with the floss threaders provided to you.
After a Root Canal Appointment
It is common for the tooth to feel sore after the appointment. This tenderness is normal and may persist for several days as your body heals. You can use any over-the-counter painkiller to help with the discomfort.
Avoid chewing on the tooth until a crown has been placed, as its structure is weak and the tooth may fracture under normal chewing forces.
After a Tooth Extraction Appointment
Please click here for post-extraction care instructions.