Dental Emergencies Guide
For when aftercare turns urgent.
Read the guideResources
After the appointment.
Good aftercare protects the work and speeds the healing. Below are the general rules for common treatments. One rule outranks them all: the specific written instructions you get at your visit always win over anything general, this page included.
The usual treatments, covered.
Fillings: numbness lasts a few hours, so chew carefully and go easy on hot drinks until it fades. Mild sensitivity for a few days is normal; a bite that feels high is worth a quick adjustment call. Crowns: same-day CEREC crowns are ready for normal use once numbness fades; skip sticky candy for a day and call if the bite feels off. Deep cleanings: tenderness for a day or two is expected; warm salt-water rinses help, and gentle brushing keeps healing on track. Extractions: bite on gauze as instructed, no straws, smoking, or vigorous rinsing for the first days, and guard the clot; increasing pain on day three deserves a call. Whitening: expect brief sensitivity, and give staining drinks a wide berth for the first day or two.
When to pick up the phone.
Call the office for pain that increases rather than fades, swelling that grows after the second day, bleeding that doesn't respond to pressure, a bite that stays uneven, or anything that just feels wrong. Aftercare questions are normal and welcome (truly, nobody here thinks you're bothering them). Keep the number handy: (770) 954-1180.
Healing questions, answered.
How long does numbness last?
Commonly two to four hours, depending on the anesthetic and the site. Skip chewing on that side and be careful with hot drinks until feeling returns.
Is sensitivity after a filling normal?
Yes, for days to a couple of weeks, especially to cold. It should trend better; sensitivity that worsens or lingers deserves a check.
What does dry socket feel like?
Throbbing pain starting two to four days after an extraction, sometimes with a bad taste. It's treatable and worth a same-day call rather than toughing it out.
Can I brush after gum treatment?
Yes, gently, the same day. Keeping the area clean is part of the healing, and we'll show you a technique that's kind to tender tissue.
Healing questions? We're listening.
Call (770) 954-1180. Aftercare questions are always welcome, big or small.