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Modern tooth-colored fillings set quickly, so recovery is usually simple. A little sensitivity as the numbness wears off is normal.

While You’re Numb

• Avoid chewing until the numbness fully wears off to prevent biting your cheek, lip, or tongue.
• Stick to lukewarm foods and drinks — you won’t sense hot temperatures accurately yet.

Sensitivity

It’s common to feel some sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure for a few days to a couple of weeks. This typically fades on its own. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used as directed if needed.

Eating & Care

• You may eat as soon as the numbness is gone; start with softer foods if the area feels tender.
• Brush and floss normally right away to keep the area clean.
• If your bite feels uneven or high once the numbness wears off, call our office for a quick adjustment.

When to Call Our Office

• Sharp pain when biting that does not improve
• Sensitivity that worsens or lasts beyond two to three weeks
• A filling that feels loose, cracked, or falls out

If a temporary crown was placed while your permanent crown is made, a few precautions will keep it comfortable and secure.

Caring for a Temporary Crown

• Avoid sticky or chewy foods (gum, caramel, taffy) that can pull the temporary off.
• Avoid hard foods that could crack it; chew on the opposite side when possible.
• When flossing, slide the floss out sideways rather than lifting up, so you don’t dislodge the temporary.

Sensitivity & Comfort

Some sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure is normal after crown preparation and usually eases within a few days. Warm salt-water rinses can soothe tender gums. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used as directed.

After Your Permanent Crown

• Sensitivity should settle within a few days once the final crown is cemented.
• Resume normal brushing and flossing — caring for a crowned tooth is just like a natural tooth.
• If your bite feels high or uneven, call us for a simple adjustment.

When to Call Our Office

• A temporary or permanent crown comes off (save it and call us)
• Persistent pain or throbbing
• A bite that feels off after a few days

After a tooth is extracted, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. We’ll have you bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes after your procedure.

Blood Clot Formation — The Key to Healing

• If bleeding or oozing persists, place a fresh gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes; you may need to repeat this several times.
• Once the clot forms, it’s extremely important not to disturb or dislodge it, as it’s critical to healing.

What Not to Do

• Do not rinse vigorously.
• Do not suck on straws.
• Do not smoke for 72 hours.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not brush on the extraction site — but do brush all the teeth around it.
• Do not exercise vigorously for the next 24 hours.

Dry Socket

Without the protection of a blood clot, the bone and nerve endings become exposed to air, food, and liquids. The resulting “dry socket” is very painful and delays healing. Following the instructions above minimizes your chances of this painful condition — if you suspect a dry socket, please call our office.

Pain and Swelling

• Use the pain medication we’ve recommended, prescription or over-the-counter, as directed.
• If antibiotics were prescribed, take the entire course even if symptoms are gone.
• Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction; eat normally once comfortable.
• Resume your normal routine after 24 hours — brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, except right at the extraction site.
• A little bright-pink blood when you rinse on the first day is normal.

When to Call Our Office

• Heavy bleeding
• Severe pain
• Continued swelling for 2–3 days
• A reaction to prescribed medication

Care in the immediate postoperative period helps your implant heal well. Aside from normal hygiene, it’s best to leave the implant alone for the first two weeks, limiting harder foods and chewing away from the area during the 10–12 week integration stage.

Bleeding

Minimal bleeding is expected and may continue for several hours. Fold two pieces of damp gauze over the site and gently bite for 30–60 minutes with steady pressure; rest with your head elevated. Pink or blood-tinged saliva for 2–3 days is normal. Sutures may last 2–3 days — leave them alone and do not pull or cut them yourself.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal reaction to surgery. It appears around 24 hours after surgery and peaks at 2–3 days, then decreases over 7–10 days. Apply ice packs to the outside of the face 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off while awake for the first 24 hours. After 48 hours, switch to a warm, moist compress.

Medication & Pain

• If you have no allergy to NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil), take some before the local anesthetic wears off.
• Alternate ibuprofen (three 200mg tablets) with extra-strength Tylenol every 3–4 hours as needed.
• Use any prescribed antibacterial rinse twice daily for the first two weeks.
• Never exceed the recommended dosage. If you take Plavix or Coumadin, do NOT take ibuprofen or aspirin products.

Diet, Hygiene & Activity

• While numb, avoid hot liquids and foods; applesauce, pudding, and jello are fine. Progress to solid foods once numbness wears off, chewing away from the site.
• Keep your mouth clean — clean thoroughly after each meal starting the day after surgery with a soft toothbrush. Do not rinse the day of surgery.
• Rest with no physical activity for the first 48 hours, then resume activity as tolerated.
• Avoid carbonated beverages and hot liquids for 48 hours.

Healing

Bad breath is common and disappears as healing occurs. White or firm tissue at the site after 2–3 days signifies normal healing, and it’s not unusual to see the silver healing cap through the gum tissue.

It’s normal to feel mild-to-moderate soreness or tenderness for a few days, sensitivity to pressure or chewing, and slight swelling or jaw stiffness from keeping your mouth open. These symptoms typically improve within 2–5 days.

Pain Management

• Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed.
• For mild-to-moderate discomfort, over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be used unless otherwise advised.
• Avoid aspirin if you are prone to bleeding or have been told not to take it.

Eating & Chewing

• Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has been fully restored with a permanent filling or crown.
• Stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours.
• Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that could damage a temporary filling.

Temporary Filling & Oral Hygiene

• A temporary filling may feel slightly raised at first; avoid gum and sticky foods that could dislodge it.
• Continue brushing and flossing as normal, being gentle around the treated area.
• Rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon in 8 oz warm water) 2–3 times daily to reduce inflammation.

Follow-Up & Final Restoration

A permanent crown or filling is usually required to protect the tooth. Delaying the final restoration increases the risk of fracture or reinfection, so please keep all follow-up appointments as scheduled.

When to Call Our Office

• Increasing swelling after 48 hours
• Fever
• Severe or persistent pain not relieved by medication
• A bad taste, drainage, or pus

Professional whitening brightens your smile safely. Some temporary sensitivity is normal — these steps keep you comfortable and protect your results.

Managing Sensitivity

• Mild tooth or gum sensitivity for 24–48 hours is common and temporary.
• Use a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth before and after treatment.
• If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and space out whitening sessions.

The First 48 Hours — Watch the “White Diet”

Your teeth are more porous right after whitening, so avoid staining foods and drinks for at least 48 hours.

• Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, cola, and dark juices.
• Avoid tomato sauce, berries, soy sauce, and other deeply colored foods.
• Avoid tobacco products, which quickly reverse your results.
• Stick to lighter foods — water, milk, plain yogurt, chicken, rice, and pasta.

Maintaining Your Results

• Brush twice daily and floss once daily to prevent new stains.
• Rinse with water after consuming staining foods or drinks.
• Use a straw for dark beverages when possible.
• Keep up regular cleanings and touch-ups as recommended.

When to Call Our Office

• Sensitivity or gum irritation lasting more than a few days
• Sharp or persistent pain
• Uneven or blotchy results you’d like us to review