Everything you need, written down.
What to do in an emergency, how to look after yourself after surgery, daily care at home, and how paying for treatment works. Each guide is here to read and to download.
Dental emergencies
What to do, and how to reach us any day of the week.
Text or call us right away
- Severe or throbbing pain
- A knocked-out or loose adult tooth
- Swelling of the gums, face or jaw
- Bleeding that won’t stop with pressure
- A broken tooth with pain
Can usually wait for our next office day
- Lost filling or crown, no pain
- Small chip, no pain
- Mild sensitivity
- Broken or loose denture
Knocked-out adult tooth
Act fast: the first 30 to 60 minutes matter most.
- Hold it by the crown, never the root.
- If dirty, rinse briefly with milk or water. Don’t scrub.
- Gently push it back in place and bite on gauze.
- Can’t? Keep it in milk, not plain water.
- Text or call us right away.
Swelling
- Cold compress on the cheek, 20 minutes on and off.
- Rinse with warm salt water. No heat.
- Never put aspirin directly on the gums.
Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing. Swelling spreading to the eye or neck. Fever with facial swelling. A possible broken jaw or head injury.
After surgery
Post-operative instructions for extractions, implants and oral surgery.
If Dr. Phen gave you instructions specific to your procedure, follow those first.
Bleeding
- Bite firmly on gauze for 30 to 45 minutes; replace it if needed.
- Light oozing for 24 hours is normal. A damp black tea bag can help.
Swelling
- Ice 20 minutes on, 20 off, for the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Swelling peaks around day 2 to 3. Sleep with your head raised.
Discomfort
- Take medications exactly as prescribed or directed.
- No driving or alcohol while taking prescription pain medicine.
If you were sedated
- Rest at home with a responsible adult. Don’t drive for 24 hours.
Eating and drinking
- Soft, cool foods the first day: yogurt, eggs, warm (not hot) soup.
- Chew on the other side and stay hydrated.
- No straws for one week.
Keeping it clean
- No rinsing or spitting for 24 hours.
- Then rinse gently with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in 8 oz) after meals.
- Brush as usual, gently around the area.
Please avoid
- Smoking or vaping for at least 72 hours.
- Strenuous exercise for 2 to 3 days.
Bleeding that won’t slow after 2 to 3 hours of pressure. Swelling that keeps growing after day 3. Fever over 101°F. Pain that gets worse after day 3. Numbness that lasts into the next day. Rash, itching or another allergic reaction. Trouble breathing or swallowing? Call 911.
Healthy habits at home
Daily care for your natural teeth and your dentures.
Brushing well
- Angle the bristles 45° toward the gumline.
- Use small, gentle circles. Scrubbing hard wears enamel and gums.
- Brush your tongue, too.
Between your teeth
- Curve floss into a C around each tooth and slide it just below the gums.
- Implants, bridges or braces: try floss threaders, small interdental brushes or a water flosser.
Protect your smile
- Grinding, clenching or jaw pain? Ask about a custom night guard.
- Dry mouth? Sip water, try sugar-free xylitol gum and let us know.
- Tobacco and vaping raise the risk of gum disease.
Whole-body health
Gum health is linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Please keep us updated on health changes and medications.
Caring for your dentures
- Rinse after eating. Brush daily with a denture brush and non-abrasive cleanser; regular toothpaste can scratch.
- Soak overnight in water or denture solution. Never use hot water, which can warp them.
- Handle them over a folded towel or a sink of water.
- Brush your gums, tongue and the roof of your mouth daily.
- Remove them at night to rest your gums, unless we advise otherwise.
- Sore spots, a loose fit or cracks? Call us; don’t adjust them yourself.
- Keep yearly exams for fit checks and oral cancer screening.
Financial policy
Clear communication includes cost. Please read this policy, and ask us any time if something is unclear.
Payment at time of service
Your estimated portion is due when services are provided. We accept cash, major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards, and financing through Cherry and Sunbit.
Dental insurance
- We are an out-of-network provider with most PPO plans, and in network with a few. Give our office a call and we’ll gladly verify your benefits.
- As a courtesy, we can submit claims to your insurance.
- Estimates are not a guarantee of payment; your plan decides final coverage.
- Any balance not paid by insurance is your responsibility.
- Please bring your current card and tell us about any changes.
Treatment plans and financing
You’ll receive a written estimate before treatment begins. We’re partnered with Cherry and Sunbit to offer flexible financing. See how it works.
Cancellations
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. Please give at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule.
Missed appointments
Missed appointments, or cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice, may be charged a $50 fee. Repeated missed visits may affect future scheduling.
Late arrivals
If you arrive 15 minutes late or more, your appointment will need to be rescheduled.
Your forms
We send your new patient forms when you book, so they are done before you arrive.
If you’d like them ahead of time, or you need a records release so we can request your X-rays from a previous dentist, call (312) 263-2323 or email office@heliosdentalcenter.com and we’ll send them over the same day.
Bring your insurance card and a list of current medications to your first appointment.
Things people ask us
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Don’t see yours? Just ask.
How often should I get a cleaning?
For most people, every six months. If you have gum disease or a higher risk of cavities, we may recommend every three to four months. Regular visits catch small problems early.
How often do I need X-rays?
To properly diagnose, we take a set of six X-rays every six months and a full-mouth series once a year. We may also take X-rays as needed when you come in for a specific problem.
Are X-rays safe? What about radiation?
Yes. We use digital X-rays, which need very little radiation. A routine set of bitewing X-rays is about the same as the natural background radiation you receive in a single day.
What if I’m pregnant?
Let us know. Needed dental X-rays are considered safe during pregnancy, and we’ll talk through any questions before we take them.
Why are my teeth sensitive, and what helps?
Common causes include worn enamel, receding gums, recent whitening or fillings, grinding, cracks and cavities. At home: use a sensitivity toothpaste daily for at least two weeks, brush gently with a soft brush, and wait 30 minutes after acidic food or drinks before brushing. Call us if one tooth hurts or pain lingers after hot or cold, if it hurts to bite down, or if sensitivity lasts more than a few weeks.
Is it normal for my gums to bleed?
Not usually. Bleeding is often an early sign of gum inflammation. Keep brushing and flossing gently; if it lasts more than two weeks, schedule a visit.
Why do you ask about my overall health?
Your mouth and body are connected. Medications, sleep, breathing and jaw (TMJ) health all affect your teeth and gums, so we look beyond the tooth that brought you in.
What happens at a first appointment?
Allow about an hour. A comprehensive examination, full-mouth X-rays and a 3D scan, smile photographs, intraoral and facial scans, an oral cancer screening, and time on nutrition and how your mouth relates to the rest of your health. If you are asking about your smile, you also see a digital mockup of what is possible.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Photo ID and insurance card, a list of your medications, completed new patient forms, and recent X-rays if you have them.
Do you take insurance?
Helios is a fee-for-service practice and out of network with most insurers. We are adding two PPO plans. Whatever your plan, we check your benefits before treatment starts and handle the claim paperwork for you, so you know exactly where you stand.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. We offer payment plans through Cherry and Sunbit, and we go through the options with you at your consultation, before anything is decided. You can also check what you pre-qualify for before you visit.
Do you offer cosmetic dentistry?
Yes, including veneers, same-day crowns, implants and full-mouth restorations. Ask us about a consultation.
I get anxious at the dentist.
Most people do. Dr. Phen explains everything before he does it, and you can stop at any point to ask a question. Nitrous (laughing gas) and oral sedation are available. Tell us when you book and we will plan the visit around it.
What if I have a dental emergency?
Monday to Thursday, call the office at (312) 263-2323. Friday to Sunday, text Sandra at (312) 597-8299. See the dental emergencies guide above for what to do in the meantime.