Post-Treatment Care at Our Practice
When you receive a dental restoration or a more complex procedure at Konstantinos Proussaefs DDS Inc., proper aftercare helps ensure that your mouth heals comfortably and your results last. We will help you understand what you need to do to achieve the best possible outcome after your treatment.
Dr. Proussaefs may have specific instructions based on your personal circumstances, but the guidelines below cover general post-treatment care for our most common procedures. Please contact us at 805-526-8296 with any questions or to schedule a follow-up appointment.
After a Cosmetic Restoration
In most cases, a cosmetic restoration will leave you with somewhat of a new bite. This may take some time to get used to as your brain recognizes your teeth's new position or thickness. If, after a few days, your bite does not feel like it is aligning properly, please contact our office to schedule a follow-up visit.
Restorations may also increase tooth sensitivity for a few days, as well as gum soreness. To ease any discomfort, simply rinse with a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt three times a day. You may also use a mild pain medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, if the salt water does not help.
Other common side effects of a new cosmetic restoration include:
- Slight speech difficulty: your speech may be affected for a few days as you get used to and learn how your new dental restoration feels in your mouth.
- Increased amounts of saliva: this is normal, as your body is simply responding to the new size or shape of your teeth. It will return to normal after a few days.
Continue regular brushing and flossing habits to keep your natural teeth and restorations in good condition. Avoid foods that can easily damage or crack your new tooth, and minimize your intake of substances that can stain your teeth (coffee, red wine, berries and tea). Be sure to protect your teeth during physical activity or at night with a mouth guard or night guard.
After Crown or Bridge Restorations
Dental crowns and dental bridges often take a few visits to complete. During your first visit, your teeth will be prepared, and you will receive temporary restorations until your customized ones are ready. This process involves numbing your mouth, so avoid eating or drinking hot foods until the numbness wears off. If your temporary restoration comes off, contact our office immediately to get it re-cemented. Also avoid sticky and hard foods.
While you wait for your final restorations, continue brushing and flossing as normal with your temporary crown or bridge. Be careful, though, not to pull too hard with the floss, as this can dislodge your temporary restoration. If you feel any sensitivity or pressure around the treated area, this is normal. However, if any pain continues, you may take mild pain relievers.
After Tooth Extractions
Once a tooth is extracted, it is important for the blood in that area to clot, as this will begin the healing process. To do this, our dentist will ask you to bite down on a gauze for about 30 to 40 minutes after your procedure. If bleeding persists after this amount of time, bite down on a new gauze square for another 30 minutes. This may take several times before the bleeding stops completely.
Once the blood clots, it is necessary to avoid disrupting the clot, as that will reopen the wound and halt healing. To do this, avoid sucking on straws, rinsing your mouth vigorously, drinking alcohol, smoking, or brushing the teeth next to the extraction site for at least 72 hours. Also avoid rigorous exercise for 24 hours.
If you experience any swelling or pain, you can hold an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables against your cheek. In most cases, swelling will subside after 48 hours. Only take pain medication as your dentist advises. If your pain medication does not work, please contact our office. Our dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to fight off any infection.
After your tooth extraction, continue your regular dental routine after 24 hours. Be gentle but thorough, ensuring that you still clean the whole of your mouth. If you experience any persistent pain, bleeding or swelling, please contact us right away.
After Composite Fillings
When you receive a dental filling, a portion of or your entire mouth will be numb. Avoid drinking hot beverages or chewing food until the numbness has worn off, as you may burn or bite your tongue or lip. For some people, fillings can cause an increase in tooth sensitivity, but it should wear off after a few days.
Injection sites may cause soreness, and our dentist may recommend pain medication, such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol, to ease your discomfort. If pain or discomfort is persistent, please contact our office.
You may chew on your new filling when you leave our office, as soon as your mouth is no longer numb. If your filling causes your bite to feel uneven, or if it gives you pain, please contact us.