Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Homecare Manual for Esthetic Dentistry

Once you have receive an entirely new smile from your Houston cosmetic dentist, remember that it is going to take some time for you to get used to your new bite. Believe it or not, esthetic dentistry home care is simple. It is not about doing something difficult or laborious—it’s simply about doing a few basic things consistently. This will make your new adjustment comfortable for you, and it will ensure the success of your new smile.

Anytime your bit is altered by esthetic dentistry, the position of your teeth change. This causes them to feel different for a few days. The brain will need some time to get used to the changes. If you detect noticeable irregularities in your bite, call us to schedule another adjustment.

Otherwise, expect your teeth to be somewhat sensitive to cold, heat, and pressure for a short period of time. This is because tooth structure must be removed to place restoration materials on your teeth. After several days, this sensitivity should go away. If it does not, call us for another appointment.

You may also notice that your gums appear a bit swollen, and they may feel sore for a few days after esthetic dentistry. The best way to handle this is to rinse three times daily with warm salt water. Use one teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. This should be all it takes to relieve the pain and swelling.

If salt water is not enough, then talk to your dentist about over-the-counter pain medication. This should be enough to dispel the rest of the pain.

You might notice that your speech is affected after an esthetic dentistry treatment. Do not be alarmed, because this is normal. You will find that you will soon be speaking normally again. Salivation may also be affected. Again, this is simply a matter of the brain needing some time to adjust. Within a week, excessive saliva should be gone.

If you play sports, ask your dentist to make you a custom mouthguard to protect your new smile.

Keep in mind that anything you chew on or eat that can damage or crack natural teeth will also damage cosmetic teeth restorations. You should avoid sticky candies and hard substances. Avoid popcorn hulls, peanut brittle, ice, and chewing on your nails.

Try to quit smoking if you do. Any esthetic dental work can be undone in a short period of time if you smoke. Cola, berries, strong coffee, teas, and red wines can also stain your new restorations. Brush and rinse thoroughly after drinking them.

In order to ensure the long-term success of esthetic dentistry, remove daily place with brushing and flossing. Also, see us regularly for professional cleanings.

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