Aftercare instructions from your Milford and Henniker dentists

What to do once you're home

The first day or two after a dental visit can bring a few questions. Is this numbness normal? Can I eat yet? When should I call? This page collects the basics that apply after most procedures at our Milford and Henniker offices. You'll also find links to more detailed instructions for specific treatments. If you were given a printed sheet at your visit, follow that first, and use this as a backup.

The basics after any procedure

Wait until the numbness wears off before eating. It's easy to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue without noticing while you're still numb.
Skip hard, crunchy, and sticky foods for the rest of the day and the next. Chewing on ice, hard candy, or caramel can crack or pull off a new filling, crown, or temporary.
Keep brushing and flossing. Be gentle around the treated area, but keep the rest of your teeth on their normal routine. Clean teeth heal faster.
Some tenderness is expected. A sore jaw or sensitive tooth for a few days is common. Over-the-counter pain relievers, taken as directed on the label, usually take care of it.
If you have a temporary crown, chew on the other side. Temporaries are meant to come off, so treat them carefully until the permanent one is placed.
Take any prescribed medication all the way through. If you were given antibiotics, finish the full course even if you feel fine.

Instructions for specific treatments

After denture or partial delivery ↗ After implant surgery ↗

When to call us

Don't wait on anything that feels off. Reach out to the office where you were treated if you notice:

Milford: 603-673-3332 Henniker: 603-428-3419

Pain that's getting worse instead of better after two or three days
Bleeding that doesn't slow down with steady pressure
Swelling that keeps increasing after the second day
A fever, or pus near the treated area
A temporary crown, filling, or restoration that comes loose
Anything that just doesn't feel right to you

If you're having trouble breathing or swallowing, or you believe you're facing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.