Helpful Hints by Dental Associates

Are there special instructions I should follow after getting a filling or crown or after having a root canal?

• For filling and crowns:  Avoid drinking hot liquids or eating chewy foods until the numbness from your anesthesia wears off (it may last as long as for hours).  This will prevent you from accidentally burning your mouth with a hot drink or biting your check or tongue.  Afterward you may drink or eat anything you want.  You might also experience a mild sensitivity to heat and cold in the repaired tooth, but this usually disappears within a day.
• For root canals:  The tissue surrounding your tooth may become inflamed, and your tooth may be tender.  Over-the-counter pain treatment can help ease discomfort.  Teeth that undergo root-canal treatment can also become dis-colored and may require bleaching, bonding, or a crown.

Do I need to clean any differently around my crown?

• Be particularly vigilant about brushing and flossing along the edges of your crown.  Trapped food and plaque can build up around the gumline and adjacent teeth and lead to gum disease or decay.

Is the mercury in amalgam fillings hazardous to my health?

• A very small number of people are allergic to mercury, and minute amounts of mercury vapor may be released when you chew and grind your teeth.  But worldwide studies conducted for more than a century have failed to link the mercury in amalgam fillings to medical problems.  Amalgam is still a safe, cost-effective, and durable restorative material.

Why should I have a root canal?  Can't my dentist just remove my damaged tooth?

• It's much better to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible.  When teeth are extracted and not replaced, teeth near the empty space begin to shift.  This can affect your chewing ability, cause your mouth to sink in and your face to change appearance, and allow plaque to build up more easily.  Also, if teeth are replaced, bridges may be more expensive than root canals.

What should I do if I lose a crown or filling?

• Call and schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately.  Don't put the filling or crown back on the tooth (it could cause damage or you may swallow it).  Just bring it with you to the dentist.  In the meantime keep the area clean by performing your normal dental-hygiene routine of brushing and flossing.