AT-HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
After Cosmetic Dental Reconstruction in Mayfield Heights, OH
Congratulations on your new smile! To ensure your results last and your recovery goes smoothly, please follow these important post-treatment dental care instructions.
Adjusting to Your New Bite
After your cosmetic dental reconstruction, it may take several days for your bite to feel “normal.” When your bite or tooth position changes, your brain and muscles need time to adapt.
You may also notice:
Mild to moderate sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
Temporary changes in speech
Increased saliva production
These side effects are completely normal and should resolve within a few days as your mouth adjusts. Continue your regular brushing and flossing routine to maintain your new dental work and keep your gums healthy.
Caring for Your New Dental Work
Your new porcelain crowns, veneers, or restorations are durable but not indestructible. Treat them with care just as you would your natural teeth. Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pens, or fingernails.
If you:
Play sports, ask our Mayfield dentists about a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth.
Clench or grind your teeth, wear the custom night guard we’ve provided to prevent damage to your new smile makeover.
After Crown and Bridge Appointments
Most dental crown and dental bridge treatments are completed over several appointments at our Mayfield Heights practice.
What to Expect
During your first visit, we’ll prepare the teeth and take precise impressions to design your permanent crowns or bridges.
Temporary crowns or bridges are placed to protect your teeth and gums in between appointments. Local anesthesia will be used—avoid hot foods and drinks until the numbness completely wears off.
Caring for Temporary Crowns or Bridges
If your temporary crown or bridge becomes loose or comes off, contact our Mayfield dental office immediately. It’s important to have it re-cemented quickly to prevent your teeth from shifting.
To protect your temporary restoration:
Avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods.
Brush gently and floss side to side—do not pull upward, as this can dislodge the temporary crown.
After Tooth Extractions in Mayfield, OH
Proper tooth extraction aftercare is crucial for healing. When a tooth is extracted, a blood clot must form in the extraction site to stop bleeding and begin the oral healing process.
For the first 72 hours of healing time, avoid:
Using straws
Smoking or sucking motions
Drinking alcohol
Brushing near the extraction site
Use ice packs for the first 24–48 hours to reduce post-surgical swelling. After 24 hours, resume routine brushing and flossing to maintain oral hygiene.
After Composite/White Fillings
If you received composite or tooth-colored fillings, your mouth may remain numb for a few hours due to local anesthesia.
Until the numbness fully wears off:
Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
Be cautious with hot foods and drinks.
Some mild pressure or temperature sensitivity is normal and should resolve quickly. If discomfort persists or you experience sharp pain when biting, please call our Mayfield dental team for a simple adjustment.
Committed to Clean & Safe Care
Mayfield Smiles strives to provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment that protects clients and team members alike and helps control the spread of infections. Patients can rest assured that we follow the guidelines from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),and the Ohio State Dental Board, as well as others to ensure the safest, most comfortable environment possible.