Some discomfort is to be expected with most of these procedures. But if you notice any visible swelling, please call our office immediately.

Please click on the aftercare advice you are interested in to jump directly to that section.

If you are having a true life-threatening emergency, please call 911.

• The gum tissue could have been irritated during the procedure and may be sore for a few days. The anesthetic injection site may also feel sore or bruised. You may take any over the counter pain reliever for tenderness or discomfort.
• It is normal to experience some hot, cold and pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Hot or cold sensitivity may linger for several weeks after the placement of the fillings. Usually these symptoms will subside over time.
• If your bite feels "off" or "not even," call us so we can make an appointment to adjust your bite. Biting too hard on this tooth can cause the tooth to ache. Please don’t feel that you can ‘just get used to it’! You may damage the temporary and the tooth!
• With silver fillings, you should not chew hard foods or chew directly on the new fillings for the first 24 hours. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. Composite (white) fillings set up right away and can be chewed on as soon as the anesthetic wears off. Avoid chewing until numbness has completely worn off. It is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while numb.

• Let the blood clot by biting on gauze for 30-45 minutes after the procedure.
• Avoid strenuous activity for the first 24-72 hours after extraction.
• Some swelling should be expected, but you can lessen it with cold packs, or even bags of frozen peas.
• You may experience a sore throat and cracked lips.
• If desired, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water, but avoid excessive rinsing or frequent spitting.
• Drink plenty of water, but do not use a straw.
• Eat high-calorie and high-protein foods, but only chew using teeth that are away from the extraction site.
• For pain, take your prescribed medication as directed.
• Do NOT consume liquids that are too hot or too cold.
• Do NOT rinse your mouth vigorously or spit frequently.
• Do NOT smoke or drink alcohol.
• Do NOT drink through a straw.
• Do NOT brush the teeth next to the extraction site for the first 24 hours. Brush gently when brushing resumes.
• If you experience nausea or vomiting, do not eat anything, or take medications, for an hour.

• Tenderness and swelling of the gums, and soreness in the jaw, are expected. Ibuprofen/anti-inflammatory medications are recommended to treat this discomfort.
• Avoid eating anything on the area being treated for two hours or until the dental anesthetic has worn off completely.
• Avoid any hard “chippy” foods such as tortilla chips, potato chips, popcorn, or seeds for the next several days.
• You may notice “spacing” between your teeth that wasn’t there before. This is because we cleaned away calculus and debris.
• To help soothe the area, rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with warm salt water rinses. Use one teaspoon of salt for every 3 ounces of water. If you are prescribed Peridex/Chlorhexidine, use as directed.
• Resume your homecare regimen of brushing twice a day and daily flossing immediately, but be gentle with the area recently treated. Your gum health must be maintained with proper homecare, as instructed, and regular dental visits.
• Refrain from smoking for 24 to 48 hours after scaling and root planing. Tobacco will delay healing of the tissues.

• Brush area well and keep the tooth as clean as normal. By not keeping the tooth clean will cause gum disease and bleeding. Rinse with warm, salt water if your gums are sore.
• You may experience some discomfort after the anesthetic wears off and your tooth may also feel sensitive to hot or cold until we get your permanent crown cemented in place.
• When flossing, pull floss through instead of pulling down and out – floss could take your crown out with it.
• NO hard, chewy or sticky foods on the side where the temporary is! Avoid: gum, caramels, carrots, apples, gummy bears, jolly ranchers, etc. If you have the temporary in the front, do not bite into any foods. Break or cut your food into chewable pieces.
• If your bite feels "off" or "not even" – call us so we can make an appointment to adjust your bite. Biting too hard on this tooth can cause the tooth to ache.
• Call us immediately if your temporary crown comes off. Although the tooth may feel “okay”, the tooth can shift (move) causing the permanent crown to not fit properly.
• Do NOT re-cement your temporary crown with Super Glue! Super Glue is very toxic and can ‘burn’ the tooth causing damage to the nerve. Super Glue can also cause the temporary crown to bond too well to the tooth and can cause the tooth to break when removing the temporary.