Adjusting to your new smile following your procedure may take some time. One’s brain may require a few days to recognize the new location of your teeth when the bite has been changed. Consequently, you may notice a change in your speech for a couple of days, but your normal speech will soon return. You might also notice an increase of saliva. Again, normal function should return within only a few days.
You may also, following your procedure, experience some tooth sensitivity and sensitive gums. A warm salt water rinse used three times a day may reduce discomfort and swelling. Over the counter medications such as Tylenol or Motrin may also alleviate any discomfort.
To help ensure a prompt return to your normal routine, we recommend that you follow the instructions from our office as closely as possible. Since hard foods may damage your new teeth, avoid eating nuts, peanut brittle, sticky candies, and ice (if these are your guilty pleasures, imagine how nice it will be once you return to them). Also minimize consumption of food and drink, such as red wine, coffee, berries, and tea, which may stain your teeth. Smoking can also stain teeth, so consider eliminating that activity (that’s just one more good reason to ‘kick the habit’). As always, regular brushing and flossing helps prevent plaque buildup, which because of exposed tissues, can do even more harm while recovering from a dental procedure.
If you notice any problems with your new bite, contact our office at (516) 500-2244 to schedule an adjustment appointment. For those who engage in sports, we can create a custom mouth guard per your request. We can also provide you with a night guard if you regularly grind your teeth during sleep. Just give us a call, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure your comfort, health, and wellbeing.