Anytime that you have a procedure that requires a recovery time at Hunsaker Dental we will send you home after carefully detailing special instructions on how best to take care of yourself. If you find that you forget, or need a reminder on a particular care instruction, please feel free to give us a call or look below for the instructions on your procedure!
AFTER COSMETIC RECONSTRUCTION
You must continue your normal oral health routine of brushing at least twice a day and flossing once. While your new cosmetic reconstructions are not natural teeth, they still need to be treated as though they are, more carefully in fact.
It is critically important to avoid chewing on hard things like ice or using your teeth to open the packaging. Your new teeth are brittle and can be chipped or cracked. Some of the foods that you might want to avoid chewing with your new teeth are:
- Sticky or hard candies
- Ice
- Hard nuts
- Peanut brittle
- Fingernails
- Pencils and pens
It is wise to refrain from foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth as they can have a similar but more pronounced effect on cosmetics. Things like coffee, red wine, and tea have a particularly strong staining effect on teeth and cosmetics.
When we make substantial or minor changes to the way your teeth look you should expect the sensation of the changes to feel large or awkward in your mouth for at least a few days. Consider that nothing has drastically changed in your mouth for many years, and when something does (like biting your cheek) your mouth tends to obsess over the new sensation. So when a tooth changes texture, size, and thickness it is very reasonable to expect it to be a point of annoyance for a few days, until your mouth gets used to it.
If after a week or so you still notice an irregularity in your bite or in a sensation that is problematic, contact us and we will be happy to schedule an appointment to make changes to the cosmetic reconstruction.
Another thing to expect for a couple of weeks while you get used to your new reconstructions is sensitivity to heat and cold. Teeth will require time and exposure to heal and get used to the new sensations and will be tender in the meantime. Gums will also take some time to cease feeling sore or minutely painful. These issues can generally be treated with a rinse of warm salt water a few times a day and after meals. Saltwater will help to reduce swelling and pain at the site. Light pain medications are fine to take and do a great job of reducing discomfort and swelling.
If your speech is affected by the introduction of a new reconstruction, there is a good chance that it will pass in a few days. Many people report that they tend to salivate more after cosmetic dental procedures – which is a normal response. Your brain thinks that something must be washed out of the mouth and is responding by flooding the mouth with excess saliva. This ought to subside in around a week.