Post-Operative Instructions

Following a tooth extraction, we ask that you adhere to the following instructions:

1. Place pressure on the gauze pad that has been placed on the extraction site for one hour. Should the bleeding continue after that time, new gauze should be placed and pressure applied for another 45 minutes.
2. If your child has had a tooth extraction, it is important that you supervise them after the procedure. Make sure they don’t bite their numb lips or tongue as this can cause serious injuries.
3. Avoid eating or drinking things that are hot on the day of your extraction. It is important that you do not rinse your mouth or use a straw to drink from. Spitting and drinking carbonated beverages should also be avoided. Do not brush or floss your teeth on the day of your procedure. You can resume brushing and flossing habits the day after your procedure.
4. It is normal to experience some pain, bruising or swelling after an extraction, especially after the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. Using an ice bag or prescribed medication will help minimize your discomfort.
5. Take all medication received from our dentists and team and adhere to those instructions.
6. For two to three days following your extraction, you should maintain a diet of soft foods and liquids, such as soup, yogurt, smoothies and juice.
7. If you had a more complex surgical procedure, such as an impacted wisdom teeth extraction, implant procedure, etc., you need to remember to wear the ice wrap that you receive and wear it until you go to bed. Wear it for 10 minutes and remove it for five minutes.)
8. Call our office if you experience excessive bleeding, extreme pain or swelling. If you have any questions or concerns before or after your treatment, please speak with a member of our team.

After getting a dental filling, we ask that you adhere to the following instructions:

1. Don’t eat for at least one hour and until numbness is gone.
2. For children, make sure the child doesn’t bite on their numb lips or tongue as it can cause soft tissue injuries.
3. Do not bite hard or chew on silver amalgam fillings for 24 hours
4. Experiencing temperature sensitivity and gum soreness is normal and usually subsides within a few days.
5. If you experience discomfort or pain for more than a few days following a filling, please call our office.

After getting a dental crown or bridge, we ask that you adhere to the following instructions:

1. It usually takes two or three appointments to get a dental crown or bridge. During the first appointment, the teeth are prepared for the restoration, impressions are taken and a temporary crown is placed.
2. It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity, gum soreness and mild discomfort. After the permanent dental crown is placed, the discomfort should pass.
3. If anesthesia has been used, do not chew on your teeth until the numbness has worn off.
4. The temporary dental crown is usually made of a plastic-based material or soft metal. Because of this, it can break if too much pressure is placed on the tooth. Temporary crowns can also come off of the tooth. If this happens, please call our office so we can replace it and protect the tooth.
5. While wearing a temporary dental crown, do not chew on hard or sticky food, like chewing gum, candy or ice. Whenever possible, avoid chewing on the surface of the temporary crown.
6. While wearing the temporary restoration, be sure to continue your normal brushing habits. Be careful while flossing around the temporary to avoid causing injury or damage. If it is too difficult to get floss between the temporary restoration, avoid flossing until you have the permanent dental crown.
7. Feeling pressure on the tooth after getting a permanent dental crown or bridge is normal. You may notice that pressure on the tooth for a few days. Your bite may also feel different for a couple of days. Should it feel uneven or uncomfortable a few days later, we ask that you call our office so we can make an adjustment.

Following a root canal treatment, we ask that you adhere to the following instructions:

1. Experiencing moderate tooth pain and sensitivity after a root canal treatment is common. It is also normal to feel gum soreness for a few days following treatment. Although the healing process may take several days, the pain and discomfort should gradually subside.
2. Take your prescribed medication according to the instructions given by the dentist.
3. A temporary filling is usually placed on the tooth after the root canal treatment. While numb, do not bite on the tooth. Until the permanent dental crown has been placed on the tooth, be gentle with your mouth. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth until the restoration has been placed.
4. Brush and floss regularly.
5. Be sure to follow the instructions of the dentist in regard to your permanent restoration. Unnecessary delays with placing the restoration may cause permanent damage to the tooth.
6. If you have severe pain or swelling, please call our office as soon as possible.

After a deep cleaning, our dentists and team will leave you with some instructions to keep your smile healthy. Please follow them below:

1. It is normal to experience cold and heat sensitivity after your dental cleaning, especially if you had a deep cleaning.
2. If you have had anesthesia, please do not eat anything until all numbness has subsided.
3. Brush and floss regularly.
4. Mild bleeding for a day or two after the dental cleaning is normal but excessive bleeding is not.
5. Call our office if you are extremely uncomfortable or if you have additional questions.

Getting braces can be quite the adjustment. To help you adjust, please follow the instructions below:

1. It is normal to experience some pressure and discomfort on your teeth or lips.
2. Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods.
3. Be gentle with your braces.
4. Although brushing and flossing while wearing braces can be difficult, it is important to maintain.
5. Call our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Following your gum surgery, please adhere to the following instructions:

1. After your surgery, you may experience some discomfort, bleeding and swelling.
2. Take all medication that was prescribed for you after the procedure and follow the instructions that were given to you.
3. Throughout the day of your surgery, apply an ice bag on your face where the procedure was performed. Have it on your face for 10 minutes and then off for 5 minutes.
4. Keep your appointment time for the removal of your sutures and any follow-up appointments.
5. Do not raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the area of treatment.
6. Do not brush teeth near the surgical site. You may brush the teeth in the rest of your mouth, though.
7. You may experience a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area.
8. Teeth may temporarily feel loose after the procedure.
9. Do not smoke, spit or use a straw on the day of your procedure. If you smoke, please avoid smoking for a few days after surgery.
10. Call our office if you have any difficulties. In the case of emergencies, call 911.

After getting dental implants, it is important to follow these instructions:

1. After your surgery, you may experience some discomfort, bleeding and swelling.
2. Take all medication that was prescribed for you after the procedure and follow the instructions that were given to you.
3. Throughout the day of your surgery, apply an ice bag on your face where the procedure was performed. Have it on your face for 10 minutes and then off for 5 minutes.
4. Keep your appointment time for the removal of your sutures and any follow-up appointments.
5. Do not raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the area of treatment.
6. Do not brush teeth near the surgical site. You may brush the teeth in the rest of your mouth, though.
7. You may experience a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area.
8. Teeth may temporarily feel loose after the procedure.
9. Do not smoke, spit or use a straw on the day of your procedure. If you smoke, please avoid smoking for a few days after surgery.
10. Call our office if you have any difficulties. In the case of emergencies, call 911.

Follow the instructions from our dentists below if you have recently gotten dentures:

1. Getting dentures is a process. It is normal to experience mild discomfort with new dentures. Typically, all new dentures will require mild adjustments to completely and comfortably fit in the mouth.
2. Remove dentures every night and keep them in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. It is important to do this because the gums need to rest and be without dentures every day for a short period of time.
3. Clean dentures thoroughly with a toothbrush and water before placing in the mouth.
4. Speaking normally with dentures may take a few days of practice. We recommend reading out loud for a period of time each day. This will allow your tongue and muscles to get used to the new dentures so that you can speak normally.
5. Call our office if you are uncomfortable or have questions about your care.

If you have undergone an apicoectomy, please follow the instructions below:

1. Temporary swelling, discomfort and discoloration is normal following the surgical procedure.
2. Throughout the day of your surgery, apply an ice bag on your face where the procedure was performed. Have it on your face for 10 minutes and then off for 5 minutes.
3. The day after surgery, use lukewarm water rinses for the treated area after each meal. This process should be repeated for three days following the procedure.
4. Only eat soft foods and avoid eating hard, sticky or chewy foods.
5. Get plenty of rest and a normal intake of food. We recommend consuming lots of liquids, such as fruit juices, soup and milk. Do not sleep on the area of operation for two to three days.
6. Do not raise your lips with your fingers to inspect the area of treatment.
7. Do not brush teeth near the surgical site. You may brush the teeth in the rest of your mouth, though.
8. You may experience a temporary loss of feeling in the operated area.
9. Teeth may temporarily feel loose after the procedure.
10. Take all prescribed medications that were given to you by the doctor.
11. Call our office if you need assistance or call 911 if you are having a serious emergency.