Home Care Instructions

At Hadar Dental, we want you to feel confident caring for your smile after treatment. Some procedures may cause temporary sensitivity, soreness, or changes in how your teeth feel. This is often a normal part of the healing and adjustment process.

Below are general after-care instructions for some of the most common treatments. Always follow any personalized instructions provided by your dentist, as your care may vary depending on your treatment.

After Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

It is normal to need some time to adjust to the look and feel of new dental work. Your bite may feel different at first, and your teeth may be temporarily sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure.

What to Expect

  • Your teeth and gums may be mildly sensitive or sore for several days.
  • Your bite may feel slightly different as you adjust to your new restoration.
  • Your speech or saliva production may temporarily feel different, particularly after extensive cosmetic treatment. These changes typically improve as you adjust.
  • If your bite feels uneven or uncomfortable after you have had time to adjust, please contact our office. We can evaluate and make any necessary adjustments.

Caring for Your New Smile

  • Continue brushing and flossing every day.
  • Maintain regular dental cleanings and examinations.
  • Avoid chewing on very hard objects such as ice, hard candies, pens, pencils, or fingernails.
  • Avoid sticky foods that could damage or loosen dental work.
  • Minimize foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and certain berries.
  • If you play sports, ask us about a custom-fitted mouthguard.
  • If you grind or clench your teeth, wear your nightguard as recommended.

With proper care and regular dental visits, your restorations can remain healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Have a question or concern? Call Hadar Dental at (781) 860-7700.

After Crown & Bridge Treatment

Crowns and bridges typically require multiple appointments. During the first appointment, the teeth are prepared and impressions or digital scans are taken. A temporary crown or bridge may be placed while your permanent restoration is being created.

While Wearing Your Temporary

If you received a temporary crown or bridge:

  • Avoid eating until any numbness has completely worn off.
  • Avoid very hard or sticky foods, including chewing gum and sticky candy.
  • When possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth.
  • Brush normally but be gentle around the temporary restoration.
  • When flossing, slide the floss out from the side rather than pulling it upward, which can loosen the temporary.
  • If your temporary crown or bridge comes off, please contact our office promptly and bring the restoration with you.

Keeping the temporary in place is important because it protects the prepared tooth and helps prevent neighboring teeth from shifting.

Sensitivity After Treatment

Some sensitivity to temperature, pressure, or biting can occur after crown or bridge appointments. This should gradually improve.

Please contact our office if:

  • Your bite feels uneven or too high
  • You have persistent or worsening pain
  • Your temporary restoration becomes loose or falls out
  • You have concerns about your restoration

Hadar Dental: (781) 860-7700

After a Tooth Extraction

Following an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket and is an important part of the healing process. Taking proper care of the area can help prevent complications and promote healing.

Immediately After Your Extraction

  • Bite firmly on the gauze provided by our office for approximately 30–45 minutes.
  • If bleeding or oozing continues, replace the gauze and apply firm pressure for another 30 minutes.
  • Some mild bleeding or oozing during the first day can be normal.

Protect the Blood Clot

For the first 72 hours, avoid:

  • Vigorous rinsing or spitting
  • Drinking through a straw
  • Smoking or vaping
  • Alcohol
  • Brushing directly over the extraction site

These activities can disturb the blood clot and delay healing.

Managing Swelling & Discomfort

Some soreness and swelling are normal following an extraction.

  • Use a cold pack or ice pack on the outside of your cheek for short intervals during the first 24 hours.
  • Take medications only as directed by your dentist or healthcare provider.
  • If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as directed and complete the course unless your prescribing provider tells you otherwise.
  • Contact our office if your prescribed or recommended pain control is not providing adequate relief.

Eating & Oral Hygiene

  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Choose soft, nutritious foods initially and gradually return to your normal diet as you feel comfortable.
  • Avoid chewing directly over the extraction site.
  • Resume gentle brushing and flossing after 24 hours, being careful around the extraction area.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for approximately 24 hours, unless your dentist provides different instructions.

When to Contact Us

Please call (781) 860-7700 if you experience:

  • Heavy or persistent bleeding
  • Severe or worsening pain
  • Significant or increasing swelling
  • Signs of infection
  • A reaction to medication
  • Any concern about your healing

After Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are fully set when you leave our office, so you can generally eat once the local anesthetic has completely worn off.

Important After-Care

If you received local anesthesia:

Do not chew or drink hot beverages until the numbness has completely disappeared. This helps prevent accidentally biting your cheek, lip, or tongue or burning yourself.

It is normal to experience some temporary:

  • Hot or cold sensitivity
  • Pressure or biting sensitivity
  • Gum or injection-site soreness

These symptoms should gradually improve.

When to Contact Us

Please call (781) 860-7700 if:

  • Your tooth remains significantly sensitive after several days
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold becomes worse rather than better
  • Your tooth hurts when biting
  • Your bite feels uneven or “high”
  • You experience persistent or worsening pain
  • You have any other concerns about your filling

A simple adjustment may sometimes be needed if your bite feels uneven.

We’re Here for You

If something doesn’t feel right after your treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is always happy to answer questions and determine whether you need to come in for an evaluation.

Hadar Dental LLC
Lexington, MA
(781) 860-7700

These instructions provide general guidance and do not replace personalized instructions from your dentist. Follow the specific instructions provided by your Hadar Dental care team whenever they differ from the information above.