Patient Info / Home Care Instructions

Home Care Instructions From Your Emergency Dentist in Chicago

What you do at home after a visit matters just as much as what happens in the chair. In Smyle Dental, the team patients turn to as their emergency dentist in Chicago, put together these home care instructions so you know exactly how to care for your teeth and gums after a cleaning, filling, extraction, or any other treatment. Read through the section that matches your recent visit, and keep this page bookmarked for quick reference whenever you need it.

Patient Info · Home Care

Caring For Your Smile After Treatment

Following dental treatment with the right home care makes all the difference in how comfortable your recovery feels and how long your results last. Whether you have just left our Lincoln Avenue office after a cosmetic reconstruction, a crown or bridge appointment, a tooth extraction, or a round of composite fillings, the instructions below will help you heal well and protect your new smile.

And if you ever feel something isn't right between visits, remember that In Smyle Dental is also the emergency dentist in Chicago our patients turn to when a problem simply can't wait. We'd rather hear from you and put your mind at ease than have you guess about what's normal.

Cosmetic Reconstruction Crowns & Bridges Extractions Composite Fillings

After Cosmetic Reconstruction

Remember that getting used to your new bite will take some time. It takes many days for the brain to perceive the unique position of your teeth or their thickness as usual when your bite is altered or their place is modified. Call our office at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 to arrange an adjustment appointment if you continue to notice any high spots or difficulties with your bite.

It's natural to have some sensitivity to heat and cold. For a few days, your gums may be painful. After tooth structure is removed, the teeth will take some time to heal and be sensitive. Pain and swelling can be reduced by rinsing with warm salt water three times a day (a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water). Any residual soreness should be relieved with a modest pain reliever (one Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin) pill every 3-4 hours).

If your speech is impacted during the first few days, don't worry. You'll rapidly adjust and resume everyday speech. You may notice an increase in salivation. This is because your brain reacts to your teeth's altered size and form. In approximately a week, things should be back to normal.

Brushing and flossing daily is essential for your new dental treatment. Plaque removal daily and frequent cleaning treatments are necessary for the long-term success of your new teeth.

Any meal that can crack, chip, or harm a natural tooth can also break, chip, or destroy your new teeth. Avoid sticky candies and hard foods and items (such as beer nuts, peanut brittle, ice, fingernails, or pencils). Foods that stain, such as coffee, red wine, tea, and berries, should be limited or avoided. Your new teeth will be spoiled if you smoke.

If you participate in sports, please let us know so that we can create a bespoke mouthguard for you. Wear the sleeping guard we've provided if you grind your teeth at night. It will take some time for you to get used to the sight and feel of your new grin. Please let us know if you have any problems or concerns. Your questions are always welcome.

Key Reminders

Expect an adjustment period: your brain needs time to get used to your new bite.
Warm salt water rinses: three times daily to ease soreness and swelling.
Protect what you've invested in: skip sticky candy, ice, and hard snacks.
Speak up: call us at (773) 915-6530 if your bite still feels off.

What To Watch For

A loose temporary: keep it in place and call us right away instead of leaving it out.
Chew on the other side: until your permanent restoration is cemented.
Floss gently: slide it out from the side rather than lifting it upward.
Mild sensitivity fades: most discomfort settles within a few weeks.

After Crown and Bridge Appointments

Temporary crowns or bridges are used to safeguard the teeth while permanent restoration is created. Crowns and bridges are usually completed in two or three appointments. The teeth are prepped, and mouth molds are taken during the first session. The mouth's tongue, lips, and roof may be numb because the teeth will be anesthetized. Please avoid eating or drinking hot beverages until the numbness has gone away completely.

A temporary crown may come loose from time to time. The temporary one must stay in place since it must prevent other teeth from moving and jeopardizing the fit of your final restoration. If this occurs, please get in touch with us at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 and bring the temporary crown with you so we can re-cement it.

If possible, avoid sticky foods (gum) hard foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth to keep your temporaries in place. Brush usually, but floss carefully, pulling the floss out from the side of the temporary crown rather than upon it, which could dislodge the temporary crown.

Following each consultation, some temperature and pressure sensitivity is to be expected. The sensitivity should go away a few weeks after the final restoration. As advised by our office, mild pain medicines may also be administered.

Don't hesitate to contact our office at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 if your bite feels uneven if you have recurrent pain, or any other questions or concerns.

After Tooth Extraction

After tooth extraction, a blood clot must form to stop the bleeding and begin healing. After your appointment, we advise you to bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes. If the bleeding or seeping continues, lay another gauze pad over the wound and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to repeat this process multiple times.

For the next 72 hours, do not rinse aggressively, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol, or clean teeth near the extraction site. These actions will cause the clot to detach or dissolve, slowing down the healing process. It is critical not to disturb or dislodge the blood clot after it has formed since it aids in healing. Avoid intense exercise for the next 24 hours because it will raise blood pressure and perhaps cause further bleeding at the extraction site.

You may have some discomfort and swelling after the tooth is pulled. Take your pain relievers precisely as directed. After 48 hours, the swelling typically goes down. Swelling can be reduced by applying an ice pack or unopened frozen peas or corn bag to the affected area.

Follow the directions on the pain medicine. If antibiotics are given, take them for the total duration of the prescription, even if the signs and symptoms of infection have passed. If antibiotics are offered, take them for the entire medicine period, even if the signs and symptoms of infection have died. If the medication isn't working, call the office at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530. On the extraction day, drink plenty of water and eat some nourishing soft food. As soon as you feel comfortable, you can resume regular eating habits.

It's critical to get back to your regular dental routine after 24 hours. This routine should be brushing and flossing your teeth at least once daily. This will hasten the healing process while keeping your tongue fresh and clean.

You will feel fine after a few days and be able to resume your daily activities. Call our office In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 if you have extensive bleeding, severe pain, or swelling that lasts longer than 2-3 days, or if you have a response to the medication.

Healing Checklist

Bite firmly on gauze: 30-45 minutes right after your appointment.
Skip straws and smoking: for 72 hours to protect the healing clot.
Ice for swelling: during the first 48 hours after the procedure.
Resume brushing at 24 hours: gently, away from the extraction site.
Call promptly: for bleeding, severe pain, or swelling past 2-3 days.

Good To Know

Watch the numbness: wait until it fully wears off before eating or drinking hot beverages.
Fully set and ready: composite fillings can be chewed on as soon as the numbness fades.
Mild sensitivity is normal: ibuprofen or Tylenol can ease any tenderness.
Uneven bite? let us know so we can make a quick adjustment.

After Composite Fillings (White Fillings)

While sedated, it is easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip. Your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after an anesthetic has been administered. Chewing and drinking hot beverages should be avoided until the numbness has gone away completely.

You may notice some hot, cold, or pressure sensitivity following your appointment. The injection sites may be painful. Tenderness can be relieved with ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol, or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for discomfort). Contact our dental office at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 if pressure sensitivity persists for more than a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases.

Because your composite fillings are fully set when you leave the office, you can chew on them as soon as the anesthetic wears off.

Please contact our office at In Smyle Dental Phone Number (773) 915-6530 if your bite feels uneven, if you have recurrent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns.

Peace Of Mind

When Something Doesn't Feel Right

Most recovery from dental treatment is predictable and manageable with a little patience and the steps outlined above. But dental emergencies do happen, and knowing when to pick up the phone matters just as much as knowing how to care for your mouth at home. As a trusted emergency dentist in Chicago, we would much rather get a call from a cautious patient than have someone wait out a problem that needed attention sooner.

If you're ever unsure whether what you're experiencing is a normal part of healing or something that needs our attention, reach out. We keep our office at 3514 N Lincoln Ave easy to reach by phone, and we'd rather talk you through it than have you guess on your own.

Bleeding that won't slow down even after following gauze and pressure instructions.
Pain that gets worse instead of gradually improving after 48 to 72 hours.
Swelling that lingers past 2-3 days or spreads toward your face or neck.
A bite that still feels uneven after a crown, bridge, or cosmetic reconstruction appointment.
A reaction to medication or pain that isn't responding to what's been prescribed.

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A Few More Pointers

Good Habits That Support Every Recovery

No matter which treatment brought you in, a handful of simple habits make healing easier across the board. Think of these as the common threads that run through every set of instructions above.

Mind The Numbness

Wait until feeling returns fully before eating, drinking anything hot, or chewing, so you don't accidentally bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.

Go Easy On Food

Soft, nourishing meals and chewing on the opposite side of a treated area protect new work and tender gum tissue while things settle.

Keep Brushing And Flossing

Gentle, consistent oral hygiene speeds healing and protects the long-term success of any new filling, crown, bridge, or reconstruction.

Call Before You Worry

If anything feels off, from an uneven bite to lingering pain, a quick call to our office saves you from guessing about your own recovery.

If you're getting ready for an upcoming appointment, take a look at our First Visit and New Patients pages for what to expect beforehand, or visit our Virtual Consultation page if you'd rather have a quick conversation with us before coming in.

Questions, Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my mouth feel numb after a filling or crown appointment?

Numbness from local anesthetic usually lasts a few hours, though it can vary from patient to patient. During that time, avoid chewing, drinking hot beverages, or testing your bite, since it's easy to bite your tongue, lip, or cheek without realizing it. Once the feeling fully returns, you can eat and drink normally again.

What should I do if my temporary crown comes loose?

Keep the temporary crown if you can and call our office at (773) 915-6530 right away. The temporary is doing important work in the meantime, keeping surrounding teeth from shifting and protecting the fit of your final restoration, so it's worth having it re-cemented as soon as possible rather than leaving the space open.

How do I know if dry socket is developing after a tooth extraction?

Some discomfort and swelling is expected for the first 48 hours after an extraction and should steadily improve. If pain instead gets worse a few days in, or you notice an unpleasant taste or odor, the healing clot may have been disturbed. Call our office promptly so we can take a look and get you comfortable again. This is exactly the kind of concern our emergency dentist in Chicago sees patients for.

Is it normal for my bite to feel different after cosmetic reconstruction?

Yes, to a point. Your brain needs time to get used to the new thickness and position of your teeth, and that adjustment can take several days. If you still notice high spots, discomfort while chewing, or a bite that doesn't feel balanced after that window, call our office at (773) 915-6530 so we can schedule a quick adjustment.

What foods should I avoid after dental work?

In general, steer clear of sticky candies, hard foods like nuts or ice, and anything you'd normally use your teeth to open, such as packages or fingernails. After an extraction, also avoid using a straw for 72 hours. Soft, nourishing foods are your friend in the first day or two after any procedure, no matter which treatment you had.

When should I call In Smyle Dental about a home care concern?

Call us at (773) 915-6530 any time you notice bleeding that won't slow down, pain that's getting worse instead of better, swelling that lasts more than a couple of days, an uneven bite, or any reaction to prescribed medication. We would much rather answer a question early than have you manage a problem alone.