Receiving a new dental crown or bridge is a significant step toward restoring the function and appearance of your smile. To ensure a smooth recovery and the long-term success of your treatment, it is important to understand how to care for your teeth during this transitional period. Following your dentist’s post-operative instructions will help protect your temporary restoration, manage any discomfort, and prepare you for your permanent new smile.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know after your initial appointment, from managing numbness to adjusting your diet and oral hygiene routine.
The Role of Your Temporary Restoration
After your tooth is prepared for a crown or bridge, a temporary restoration is placed. This temporary crown or bridge is not just for looks; it serves several critical functions. It protects the prepared, and now more vulnerable, tooth structure from damage and sensitivity. It also prevents surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space, which could compromise the fit of your final, custom-made restoration.
Think of your temporary as a placeholder. It is made from a less durable material than your final crown and is secured with a weaker cement. This is intentional, as it needs to be removed easily when your permanent restoration is ready. Because of this, it requires special care.
Immediately After Your Appointment
Your tongue, lips, and the roof of your mouth may be numb for a few hours following your procedure due to the local anesthetic. This is completely normal. To avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue, or burning your mouth, you should refrain from eating and drinking hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off.
It is also common to experience some sensitivity to temperature and pressure after the anesthetic subsides. This sensation is usually mild and should diminish over the next few days. If you experience discomfort, over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, can be effective. However, if your pain gets progressively worse or causes more than mild discomfort, it’s important to contact our office.
Your Diet for the First 24 Hours and Beyond
For the first 24 hours, you should stick to a diet of soft foods. This gives the temporary cement time to set properly and reduces the risk of damaging or dislodging your temporary crown.
Here are some examples of safe foods to eat:
- Jell-O or pudding
- Applesauce
- Greek yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Cooled soups
- Macaroni and cheese
- Ice cream or smoothies
- Finely chopped chicken or ground beef
After the first day, you can begin to reintroduce other foods, but you must continue to avoid anything hard, crunchy, or sticky. These types of foods can easily break your temporary restoration or pull it off the tooth. Examples to avoid include hard candies, nuts, popcorn, caramel, and chewing gum.
If your temporary crown is on a front tooth, it is recommended to cut up your food and chew with your back teeth. You should avoid biting directly into foods like apples, sandwiches, or corn on the cob.
Oral Hygiene: Brushing and Flossing
Maintaining your oral hygiene is crucial, but you need to be gentle around your new temporary. It is important to continue brushing regularly, at least twice a day. When cleaning around the temporary crown or bridge, use careful, gentle strokes.
Flossing requires a specific technique to avoid dislodging the temporary. Instead of pulling the floss back up between the teeth, you should gently slide it out to the side. Pulling the floss upward can catch the edge of the temporary and pop it off.
Your gums around the temporary crown may become sensitive or inflamed. If this happens, rinsing four times a day with a warm saltwater solution can help. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into a half cup of warm water, swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds, and spit it out. This simple rinse promotes healing and soothes irritated gum tissue.
What to Do If Your Temporary Comes Loose
Despite your best efforts, temporaries can sometimes become loose, damaged, or fall off completely. Your temporary plays an important role in protecting your tooth and holding the necessary space for your permanent crown. If it comes off, the underlying tooth is exposed and vulnerable, and other teeth may begin to shift.
Should your temporary restoration need recementing or become damaged, please contact our office right away. We will be happy to schedule a quick appointment to recement or repair it for you. Do not attempt to use household adhesives to fix it yourself, as this can damage the tooth and affect the fit of your final restoration.
Your Smile is Our Priority
Following these instructions will help ensure your recovery is comfortable and your final restoration fits perfectly. It is normal to experience some mild sensitivity, but this should subside a few weeks after the placement of your final crown or bridge.
At Sol Dental, we are committed to providing you with exceptional care every step of the way. If you have any questions about your aftercare, experience significant pain, or if your temporary restoration feels loose, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Contact our office for any assistance you need. We are here to help you on your journey to a healthy, beautiful smile.