Post-Op Instructions – Jacksonville, FL

Your Aftercare Guideline for When You’ve Undergone Dental Treatment

Once you’ve visited our team at Altenbach Dentistry, you might expect a wide variety of changes to your smile depending on the service(s) you underwent. That said, here are several things you’ll want to keep in mind after you’ve left our office. Give us a call if you have any questions or if you notice anything unusual after a few days following your visit.

Post-Op Instructions

What to expect after your dental appointment at Altenbach Dentistry:

  • AWARENESS: It is normal to have an increased “awareness” in the place we worked on for a short time. You did have something done in the area, so it might take a short while for you (and your tongue) to get used to it! A settling period is normal for any procedure done. Thin coats of our bonding material that might have hidden itself around an adjacent tooth or your gum tissue will brush away by itself! 
  • EATING: Avoid chewing on the numb side of your mouth following the procedure to prevent biting your cheek, lip, or tongue. Your fillings are set immediately after they are placed, so after the numbness wears off, you can chew as you normally would.
  • GUM DISCOMFORT: Following the procedure, your gums may feel tender. The anesthetic injection site may also feel sore. Rinse with warm salt water several times a day and take an analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil to help decrease any short-term discomfort.
  • SENSITIVITY: It is normal to experience some sensitivity to cold, hot, and pressure following the procedure. These symptoms will lessen within a few days to a few weeks. As long as the sensitivity continues to decrease, there is no need for concern.
  • TMJ: It is not uncommon for your jaw to be sore after dental treatment. Taking an analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil and placing ice or heat on the jaw can help. Avoid opening wide and cut your food up into smaller bites while the jaw is sore. It can take several weeks for your jaw to get back to normal.  
  • BITE:  After placing your new restoration, it may take a few days to get used to. If your bite feels uneven or “high” after a few days, please call our office to set up an appointment for a simple adjustment.
  • TEMPORARY CROWNS: It is important to avoid chewing gum and eating foods that are chewy, hard, or sticky as these can pull off the temporary crown. Patients should also chew on the opposite side of the mouth from where the crown is placed as much as possible. Tooth brushing should be done gently, and flossing directly around the temporary crown is not recommended. Temporary crowns can come off, and if this happens, do not be alarmed. You will not hurt or damage your tooth as long as you are careful with the area. Your tooth might be more sensitive to temperatures while the temporary crown is off, which is normal. You can use a drop of Fixodent (denture adhesive) and place the temporary back on. 
  • FINAL CROWNS: The crown is ready for normal use as soon as you leave our office. It is not uncommon for there to be a “settling period” when a new restoration is placed. You might have increased awareness or sensitivity in the area for a while, which is normal. Be gentle with the area and it should “settle in” just fine. 
  • HOME CARE: Although dental work is quite durable, the tooth itself is still vulnerable to decay. It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing as well as regular dental visits. This will increase the longevity of your new restoration.

Thank you for your trust in our office. Call us at 904-448-0441 if you have any questions!