Home Care Instructions

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

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 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 Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165 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 Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket. This clot is part of the normal healing process. It is important to avoid activities that might disturb the clot. Here’s what you can do to protect it:

• Do not smoke, rinse vigorously, or suck on straws for 24 hours. These actions create a suction in the mouth which could dislodge the clot and delay healing.
• Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. You should, however, brush and floss your teeth thoroughly.
• Limit strenuous activity for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form.

Following the extraction some bleeding is expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over the bleeding area and bite firmly for one-half hour. Repeat if necessary for a total of 2-4 hours. If there is an excessive and constant bleeding, please call our office immediately.

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. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours. Use the pain medication as directed. Call the office (Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165) if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. Note: nausea is usually a side effect and NOT an allergic reaction. 

A soft, light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. The day after the extraction, drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious food. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids. You can eat normally as soon as you can chew comfortably. 

The day after the extraction, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in one glass of warm water. Rinsing after meals is important to keep food particles our of the extraction site, but remember to not rinse vigorously.

Small, sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. these are not roots’ if annoying, you may need to return for a simple removal.

After a few days you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, a reaction to the medication, or other unusual symptoms, call our office immediately at Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165.

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 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 Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165.

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 Lynnwood Family Dentistry Phone Number 425-771-0165.

After Periodontal Therapy (Gum Therapy)

Rinse your mouth 4 – 5 times per day with warm (coffee temperature) salt water. One tsp. salt/8 oz. water. Start home care as instructed, immediately. In the beginning you may have to be gentle. 

Your gums may become “achy” and a couple of aspirin of Tylenol will eliminate any discomfort. Sensitivity to cold may temporarily occur. Removing plaque from the tooth a placing a dab of “sensitive teeth” toothpaste on the “touchy” area will stop cold or touch sensitivity in a few days. Your next meal should be soft. Avoid any hard “chippy” foods such as chips, popcorn, etc. for the next 3-4 days. Very seldom does swelling or jaw stiffness occur, however if it does, place warm moist towels to the face in the area of stiffness.

Please do not smoke following scaling and root planning procedures. Tobacco smoke is an irritant to healing. Refrain from smoking for the next 24 hours or longer. 

PLEASE USE AS DIRECTED ANY ORAL RINSES SUCH AS PERIOMED OR CHLORHEXIDINE, IF PRESCRIBED. 

If any problems arise please feel free to call our office at (425)-771-0165.