HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

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 Kwong Dental Care Phone Number 775-323-3892 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.

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 Kwong Dental Care Phone Number775-323-3892 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 Kwong Dental Care Phone Number 775-323-3892.

After an extraction, it is important for a blood clot to form and stop the bleeding to begin the healing process. You should have very minimal bleeding shortly after the procedure. We have either placed an absorbable gauze dressing OR placed a piece of artificial bone graft. Both of these coagulate the blood faster and work within 30 seconds of being placed to stop the bleeding. It also reduces infection as it provides a barrier over the extraction site.

It is very important to protect the blood clot for two to three weeks. NO negative pressure going in or out of the mouth. This means NO smoking, spitting, or sucking thru a straw for at least two weeks. DO NOT rinse or swish your mouth vigorously and DO NOT use your toothbrush on the extraction site(s). All of these activities can slow down the healing process. These activities can also cause dry socket, which can be very painful and require an office visit with an additional charge of $25. Limit yourself to calm activities for three days minimum. This will keep your blood pressure down as well as help reduce any bleeding to occur and speed up the healing process. After the numbing wears off, you may begin to have some pain and swelling occur. You can use an ice pack to keep this to a minimum for the first two hours only. After that, use a warm compress (such as a warm towel) as it brings the blood flow to the area and helps accelerate healing.

When it comes to eating, stick with soft and nutritious foods for a minimum of two weeks. Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. NO drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages and NO spicy or hot food for those two weeks. After eating, gently rinse with warm salt water. You will turn your head side to side and let it all fall out. DO NOT swish or spit. One teaspoon of salt in 6 oz of water. It is very important to resume your normal dental routine as it speeds up the healing and helps keep your breathe fresh after. Again- DO NOT brush on the extraction site(s).

If you had a sinus closure performed in surgery today, all of these instructions apply but you will follow them for a minimum of one month. In addition to these, you have a few more instructions to follow. NO blowing your nose. NO sneezing OR coughing with your mouth closed. BOTH of these are for one month.

Use pain medication only as directed; please call the office if it doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics, steroids, affrin spray, or Sudafed are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all signs of infection are gone. The pharmacist will go over each prescription and how to properly take each one.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the office at 775-323-3892. For emergencies, you may reach out to Dr. Kwong at any time on his personal line at 916-233-7867; texting is usually the best way to get ahold of him. We hope you have a quick and easy recovery!

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 fillings 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 Kwong Dental Care Phone Number775-323-3892.

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