Home Care Instructions

Remember that it can take some time to adjust to the feel of your teeth after certain dental procedures. Here are some information and care instructions for you after you have any of the following procedures. It can take several days for your brain to recognize a new position or change in thickness in your teeth. If you continue to have problems with your bite, call PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600 and we’ll schedule an adjustment appointment. 


Composite Fillings (white fillings)

If an anesthetic was used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid hot beverages and chewing until the numbness completely wears off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb. You may chew on your new fillings after the numbness wears off completely. They have already set when you leave the office.

Some sensitivity to heat, cold or pressure is normal.  Injection sites might also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well. If your bite feels uneven, pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days, or if sensitivity increases, call us at PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600.


Cosmetic Reconstruction

It can take several days to get used to a change in your teeth’s position or thickness. Some sensitivity to heat and cold is normal. The teeth require some time to heal after removal of tooth structure and will be sensitive in the interim. Your gums might 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 be back to normal in about a week.

Care for your dental work. 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 play sports or grind your teeth at night, let us know. We can make a custom mouth guard.


Crowns and Bridges

Crowns and 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.

If anesthetic is used, your 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 PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600 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; it prevents 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.

Some sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure is normal after each appointment. It 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 PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600.


Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That’s why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times.

After the blood clot forms, it is important not to disturb or dislodge the clot as it aids healing. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities will dislodge or dissolve the clot and retard the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.

Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until any numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the prescribed length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone.

Drink lots of fluid and eat nutritious soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.

You may experience some pain, sensitivity to heat and cold, and swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Swelling usually subsides after 48 hours. Take pain medications as prescribed. Call the office at PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600 if the medication doesn’t seem to be working.

After 24 hours, it is important to resume your normal dental routine, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.

After a few days, you will feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at PARKWAY FAMILY DENTAL Phone Number 843-706-9600.