Willis Family DentistryWaynesboro

New Patients

Home Care Instructions

Quick references for what to do at home after common procedures. When in doubt, call us — we’d rather hear from you.

After a filling or crown

Numbness from local anesthesia usually wears off in a few hours. Avoid chewing on the side of a new restoration until the numbness is fully gone. Some temporary sensitivity to hot or cold is normal for a few days.

After an extraction

Bite gently on gauze to control bleeding, keep your head elevated, and avoid drinking through a straw or smoking for at least 24 hours (both can dislodge the clot). Soft, cool foods the first day. Call if bleeding persists, swelling worsens after 48 hours, or pain stays high.

After a cleaning

If your gums were tender, a warm saltwater rinse helps. Resume normal brushing and flossing right away. If anything feels off, let us know.

When to call

Bleeding that won’t stop, swelling that’s spreading, severe pain that’s not improving, fever, or anything that just feels wrong — call our office.

Have a question after your visit?

Call our Pelham Drive office — we’d rather hear from you.

540-943-9703

Frequently Asked

Common questions

What should I do after a tooth extraction?
Bite firmly on the gauze for the first hour to form a clot. Take any prescribed medication on schedule. For 24 hours, do not rinse vigorously, drink through a straw, smoke, or eat hard or crunchy food. Use ice on the cheek for the first 12 hours, then warm compresses. Most patients are back to normal in 2 to 3 days.
What about after a filling, crown, or root canal?
Avoid hard or sticky food on the treated tooth for 24 hours. Mild sensitivity to cold or pressure is normal for a few days and usually resolves on its own. If you have a temporary crown, avoid sticky foods and floss carefully. Call us if discomfort gets worse instead of better.
How do I take care of my new dentures or partial?
Brush them every day with a soft denture brush and a gentle cleanser (not regular toothpaste — too abrasive). Soak overnight in water or denture cleaner. Take them out at night to give your gums a rest. Bring them to your six-month visit so we can check the fit.
What if I have pain or swelling that is not getting better?
Call us at 540-943-9703 first thing the next morning — or sooner if it is an emergency. Pain that increases instead of decreases after 48 hours, swelling that spreads, fever, or trouble swallowing are all reasons to call right away.

Why patients on Pelham Drive choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro

Dr. Tyler Youn, DDS is calm, unhurried, and trained at University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — and he believes the most important skill in dentistry is listening. Patients across Waynesboro, the 22980 corridor, Stuarts Draft, Fishersville, and Lyndhurst choose Willis Family Dentistry Waynesboro on Pelham Drive because every visit feels like a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We talk about cost up front, accept most major PPO insurance plans, and offer the Virginia Dental Club membership for patients without insurance — so cost is never the reason a smile waits. Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at 101 Pelham Dr, Waynesboro 22980. Call 540-943-9703 or request an appointment online.