Post-Dental Appointment Instructions
Serving Maple Ridge and Surrounding Areas
What to Expect After Fillings
If you will be receiving dental fillings in the near future from Westgate Dental Centre, we have information about what to expect.
Even though you can eat normally right after the procedure, we recommend waiting until all anesthetic has worn off, because you can often mistakenly bite your cheeks or tongue. You may notice sensitivity in your gums and teeth, but this should dissipate over time. If sensitivity persists over a few weeks, please contact us, and we can talk with you about possible solutions.
One thing to avoid after receiving a filling is chewing foods that are very hard, as this can crack the filling. If for any reason your filling has cracked, contact us to schedule a convenient appointment.
Maintaining Temporary and Permanent Crowns
If you have been administered temporary or permanent dental crowns, there are a few things to know about keeping them maintained.
Temporary crowns are not as durable as permanent crowns, and can break or come off. If this has happened to you, it is important to place it back on the tooth using a denture adhesive. Then call to set an appointment. If you were to leave the crown out, then your teeth have the chance to move, which could affect the fit of any permanent crowns.
With both temporary and permanent crowns, you may notice sensitivity for a few days after they have been administered. If you notice that your bite does not feel correct, let us know, and we can adjust the crown.
If you have had a permanent crown installed, it is recommended to not eat any hard or sticky foods within a 24-hour period in order to allow the cement that is used to set.
Normal brushing and flossing is also important to maintain a healthy mouth, but with temporary crowns, it is not recommended to floss around the crown.
Information on Veneers
Temporary veneers are provided before permanents can be put into place. With temporary veneers, chewing hard foods may damage them. Also hard brushing and flossing between the temporary veneers can loosen them, causing them to fall out.
If a temporary veneer has fallen out, we can quickly replace it. If you are unable to see us immediately, you can reapply the veneer with denture adhesive.
Remember that temporary veneers do not represent the look and fit of your permanent veneers, because they have not been custom made like your permanents will be.
Permanent veneers should be cared for as if they were your natural teeth. Regular brushing, flossing and dental visits are recommended. Over long periods of time, gum recession may occur. If this has happened to you, we can adjust the veneers so that no gaps between them and your gum line are showing.
Tooth Extractions
If you have received a tooth extraction, we recommend that you:
- Apply moist gauze and change as needed.
- Avoid smoking and drinking through a straw until fully healed.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, spicy foods and rinsing within first 24 hours after the procedure.
- After the first day, rinse with warm salt water a few times a day.
Any sutures used for the extraction should dissolve within 7 to 10 days.
