Esthetic dentistry can change your life for the better by changing your smile.  However, keep in mind that in order to maintain the benefits you receive from it, you need to practice sound and consistent homecare.  Awareness of certain changes that will occur in your mouth, along with knowledge of what needs to be done on your part, will ensure that the investment you have made in esthetic dentistry will continue to produce lasting aesthetics and bring you true medical benefit as well. 

After receiving an entirely new smile from your Houston cosmetic dentist, remember that it will take some time getting used to your new bite.  Believe it or not, esthetic dentistry home care is easy.  It has nothing at all to do with anything difficult or laborious.  Instead, it is all about doing a few basic things consistently.   

Things to be Aware Of

Understand that anytime your bite is altered by esthetic dentistry, your teeth are going to change in position.  They will naturally feel different for several days.  During this time, the brain will adjust to the new changes, and eventually you will feel no discomfort.  However, if you continue to detect noticeable discomfort after several days, call your dentist to schedule another adjustment. 

Also expect your teeth to be somewhat sensitive to cold, heat, and pressure for a few days after a visit to an esthetic dentist.  This is due to the fact that tooth structure has to be removed in order to place tooth restorations in the first place.  After a few days, this sensitivity should go away, however.  If it does not, call your dentist for another appointment.

You may experience altered speech after an esthetic dentistry treatment.  Do not be alarmed, because this is normal.  You will find that you will soon be speaking normally again. 

Some patients also report increased salivation.  Again, this is simply a matter of the brain needing some time to adjust.  Within a week after an esthetic dental procedure, excessive saliva should be gone.   

Things to Do

You may also have experience swollen gums after an esthetic dentistry procedure.  The best treatment for this is to rinse out your mouth three times daily with warm salt water.  Use one teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. 

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

If you play sports, talk to your dentist about getting a custom mouthguard made.   

Avoid chewing on anything that can damage or crack natural teeth.  It will also damage cosmetic teeth restorations.  Try to also avoid sticky candies and hard substances.  It is a good idea too to stay away from popcorn hulls, peanut brittle, ice, and chewing on your nails. 

If you can, as hard as it is, quit smoking.  Esthetic dental work will be undone in a short period of time if you smoke.   Cola, berries, strong coffee, teas, and red wines will also stain your new restorations.  Brush and rinse completely after drinking them. 

To make sure that you enjoy the long-term success of esthetic dentistry, practice regular brushing and flossing, and see your dentist on a regular basis for tooth cleaning.