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Numbness wears off over two to three hours — avoid chewing on that side until it does, and avoid biting your cheek. Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal. Sharp pain when biting down, or sensitivity lasting more than two weeks, is worth a call.

Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. For the first 24 hours: no rinsing, no spitting, no straws, no smoking — all of these can dislodge the clot. Soft food, and keep your head elevated when you sleep. Call us if bleeding does not settle or pain worsens after day three.

Swelling usually peaks around day two or three and then subsides. Ice for the first 24 hours, then warmth. Take any prescribed medication as directed, stay on soft food, and keep the area clean but do not brush directly over it until we say so.

If you have a temporary, avoid sticky and very hard foods and floss out sideways rather than up. Some gum tenderness is normal for a few days. If your bite feels high or the temporary comes off, call us — do not wait for the next appointment.

Gums may be tender and teeth briefly more sensitive to cold. Warm salt-water rinses help. Sensitivity toothpaste is worth using for a few weeks. Gums should look and feel better within a week or two.

The first day or two of each set feels tight — that is the movement happening. Switch sets in the evening. Wear 20–22 hours a day, remove them to eat and drink anything other than water, and clean them daily. Never leave them wrapped in a napkin.