Teeth will age with us, and as we age, it’s possible that your teeth encounter some endeavors where they may have to be removed or the dental work that came before is simply wearing off. Bridges and Crowns are important for the rehabilitation of your teeth, post tooth loss or replacing those old fillings. The one thing these two procedures have in common is that first appointment: a mold is taken of your teeth and a temporary Bridge or Crown will be applied to the area of operation. Where things get tricky is when we send you home. Your mouth is anesthetized, there’s an odd pressure occurring on the area, and slightly distressing: there may be some sensitivity. Here’s what to avoid after that initial Bridge or Crown appointment.
Your diets and habits may be going through a slight change while the temporary appliances hold everything in place. The obvious is to be avoided (smoking) but we recommend that sticky substances be avoided too – such as gum. The main types of food you should avoid are the hard kinds. Leave the chips, any kinds of nuts, or frozen food in the fridge until after the full restoration is complete in the second appointment. Concerning brushing and flossing, it’s important to go back to a repeated tip: brush with as little pressure as you can; and when flossing around the temporary Bridge or Crown, be extra careful not to dislodge them.
Once the time comes for the follow-up, the restoration will be complete and following a few days to a week of recovery, everything may go back to normal. Please note, that the pressure and sensitivity are natural – and the pain may be taken care of via pain medication as instructed by our offices. However, if there’s continuous pain, an uneven bite, or should the temporary Bridge or Crown come out – we ask that you call our office immediately: 830-629-8011.