Home Care Instructions

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After Cosmetic Dental Reconstruction

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, call our office at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978 so we can schedule an adjustment appointment.

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 interim. 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. A mild pain medication (one tablet of Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) every 3-4 hours) should ease any residual discomfort.

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 is because your brain is responding to the new size and shape of your teeth. This should subside 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 (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils) and sticky candies. Smoking will stain your new teeth. Minimize or avoid foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, tea and berries.

If you engage in sports let us know so we can make a custom mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night, wear the night guard we have provided 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.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Dental crowns and dental 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 at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978 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.

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.

It is normal to experience some temperature and pressure sensitivity after each appointment. 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 The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978.

After Tooth Extraction

  1. Protection of the blood clot:
    Maintain gentle pressure by biting on the gauze sponge that has been placed over the surgical area, or by biting on a tea bag which has been gently moistened and wrapped in a piece of gauze. Keep steady, firm pressure for 45 minutes. Repeat as often as needed.
  2. Can I rinse after the tooth is extracted?
    Do not rinse or use a mouthwash for at least 24 hours. After 24 hours, a rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon table salt in 8 oz. warm water) every 1 to 2 hours is recommended. (The use of commercial mouthwash during the healing period is not encouraged.)
  3. Will I have pain after the extraction?
    Following dental surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. If medication has been given or prescribed, take as instructed. If using an over the counter pain reliever, you may use Tylenol or generic acetominophen, Advil or Motrin or generic Ibuprofen. Please, DO NOT Take Aspirin. Call our office at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978 if you have any question.
  4. Can I brush my teeth after an extraction?
    The toothbrush…may be carefully used in the area of the mouth not involved by the surgical procedure. A clean mouth heals faster.
  5. When can I eat again?
    Eating adequate food and fluid intake following oral surgery or extractions is most important. If you find that eating your regular diet is too difficult, you may stay on a soft diet for 24-48 hours or supplement your diet with liquids such as Ensure.
  6. What should I avoid after tooth extraction?
    Avoid all excessive oral activity. Avoid any contact around the surgical area. Do not consume liquids through a straw. Avoid alcoholic beverages and refrain from smoking until healing is well established. A clean mouth heals faster.
  7. When should I make a follow-up appointment? 
    If sutures were used, you must make sure that you have a follow-up appointment within a week. If you did not require sutures, your dentist will give you a specific follow up appointment.
  8. How to keep swelling at a minimum?
    Gently apply an ice pack to the area for periods of 20 minutes on and 10 minutes off. This practice should continue for only the first 24 hours. One of our caring Assistants will supply a Herald Square Dental & The Denture Center ice pack for your voyage home from our office in New York City.

Do not hesitate to call Herald Square Dental and the Denture Center, your top providers of tooth extractions and dental implants in NYC at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978 if you have any problem or questions!

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 & pressure sensitivity after your dental filling appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978.

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 The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978.

After Dental Implants

Please follow the following instructions as closely as possible. They have been designed to help you heal quickly, and comfortably, with minimal side effects and have proven to be very efficient.

FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS:

  1. Do not spit. Use a tissue to wipe your mouth as needed, or swallow your saliva. Spitting can dislodge the blood clot that is forming which in turn prolongs bleeding from the area.
  2. Do not use a drinking straw. Drink straight from a cup. Sipping or drinking through a straw can dislodge the blood clot that is forming as well.
  3. Do not smoke. Smoking increases the chance of infection.
  4. Keep fingers and tongue away from the surgical area.
  5. Do not consume Hot, Cold, or Spicy food. Hot or cold food can dislodge the clot also and spicy food will increase the chance of infection.

FOR BLEEDING:
Some minor bleeding is expected after implant surgery, It will usually subside quickly, and stop within an hour or two after surgery. A little oozing is normal and may persist for several hours. Upper implants may occasionally trigger some bleeding from the nose, this is normal and will stop quickly.

  1. Keep gauze on the surgical area with some pressure for 30 to 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the gauze after 30 to 45 minutes, and replace it with a new piece of gauze if you are still bleeding. It is important to make sure the gauze is directly on the surgical site. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding.
  3. If you find that this is not working after your third attempt, place a dry plain tea bag between two pieces of moistened gauze and keep on the surgical area with some pressure for 30 to 45 minutes. The tannic acid in tea will help to form a clot and stop the bleeding.
  4. If all else fails, call us at Herald Square Dental& The Denture Center at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978

EATING:

You may eat soft foods as soon as the anesthetic wears off. Try not to chew directly on the surgical site. You may resume a regular diet as soon as you feel up to it. Please stay well nourished and well hydrated, you will heal faster.

BRUSHING:

Starting right away, you must brush your teeth after every meal, be gentle avoiding the surgical area and do not spit or rinse forcefully.

RINSING:

Every day you must rinse gently after every meal (no spitting), the first 24 hours with water only, the second day and on with some warm salty water two to three times a day not more than 30 seconds. Do not use alcohol-containing mouth rinses for a few days.

Mouth rinse: Peridex or Periogard. Swish with one-half ounce not more than thirty seconds after breakfast and before bed time, and do not swallow it – gently spit it out. After this rinse do not eat or drink for several hours.

MEDICATIONS:

You were given one or more prescriptions for medications, and as directed on the bottle. Call us if you experience sever nausea, diarrhea, or if you cannot swallow your pills.

  1. Antibiotics: Continue until the bottle is empty. Do not quit halfway.
  2. Pain Medicine: Continue as necessary. Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, operating machinery, or alcoholic beverages while you are taking them.
  3. Use Peridex or Periogard as prescribed above under rinsing section.

If you-experience any complications, or have any further questions please call your top providers of dental implants at Herald Square Dental and the Denture Center immediately at The Denture Center Phone Number 212-256-9978