Dental Aftercare Instructions

Protecting the surgical area is especially important during the first days of healing. Follow any personalized instructions from your care team first.

• Keep the initial gauze in place for 30 minutes. Replace it as directed if bleeding continues or returns.
• Do not smoke for 72 hours.
• For the rest of the day, do not spit, rinse, use a straw, or sneeze with your mouth closed. These actions can disturb the blood clot.
• Do not brush the surgical area for 24 hours. Continue cleaning the rest of your mouth carefully.
• Choose foods that are soft and easy to chew. Avoid spicy, hard, chewy, or small-grained foods that could irritate the area.
• Use a cold compress for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off. After 48 hours, you may switch to a warm compress.
• Avoid vigorous exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours.
• Call us right away if bleeding, swelling, discoloration, or discomfort seems severe, or if your sutures come apart.

Your gums may feel tender after periodontal therapy. Consistent, gentle home care helps support healing.

• Some discomfort, light bleeding, or swelling can occur after treatment.
• Rinse with warm salt water two or three times a day for at least two to three days, unless your care team gives you different instructions.
• Follow the pain-relief guidance provided by your care team.
• For swelling or jaw stiffness, use a warm, moist towel for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
• Brush the treated area gently this evening and return to normal gentle brushing tomorrow.
• Wait about 48 hours before flossing the treated area.
• Choose soft foods for your next meal and avoid crunchy or hard foods for three to four days.
• Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours because tobacco can interfere with healing.

Consistent wear and careful cleaning help keep clear-aligner treatment on track. Follow the schedule provided specifically for you.

• Insert each aligner over the front teeth first, then gently press it into place over the molars with your fingers.
• Keep aligners in except while eating, brushing, or flossing. Remove them before drinking warm beverages.
• Store aligners in their case whenever they are not in your mouth.
• Clean aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste. The full PDF includes additional soaking guidance.
• Wear each numbered set in order for the amount of time directed by our office. Keep previous aligners and bring them to orthodontic appointments.
• Do not bite aligners into place or clean them with denture cleaner, alcohol, bleach, or hot water.
• If an attachment or tray is lost, call our office promptly. Wear the previous or next tray as directed until we advise you what to do.
• After treatment, wear and care for your retainers according to your personalized instructions.

A temporary crown or bridge protects your tooth while the custom restoration is being made. Keeping it secure helps preserve the fit of the final restoration.

• Wait until all numbness has worn off before eating or drinking hot beverages.
• Avoid sticky and hard foods while wearing a temporary restoration. Chew on the opposite side when possible.
• Brush normally, but floss carefully. Slide the floss out from the side instead of lifting it upward around the temporary restoration.
• If the temporary comes off, call us and bring it with you so we can evaluate and re-cement it.
• Some temperature or pressure sensitivity can occur after an appointment.
• Call us if your bite feels uneven, discomfort persists, or you have another concern.

Composite fillings are fully set when you leave the office, but your mouth may remain numb for several hours.

• Do not chew or drink hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.
• Some temperature or pressure sensitivity and tenderness at the injection site can occur after treatment.
• Follow the pain-relief guidance provided by your care team.
• Once the anesthetic has worn off, you may chew normally on the completed filling.
• Call us if your bite feels uneven, sensitivity increases, or discomfort persists.

Your teeth are more likely to absorb color during the first 48 hours after whitening. A few temporary changes can help protect your result.

• Do not smoke for 48 hours.
• For 48 hours, avoid deeply colored foods and drinks such as red sauce, blueberries, coffee, tea, and red wine.
• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold can occur. Contact us if sensitivity is severe or persists.
• If your gums feel sensitive, avoid brushing the affected area for a couple of days.
• The initial shade may soften slightly as your teeth rehydrate.
• Long-term results vary. Existing fillings, crowns, and bonding will not whiten.
• Ask our team for personalized guidance before beginning any touch-up treatment.