Post treatment instructions

Post-Operative Instructions for Implant Treatment

You have now completed an important phase of your implant treatment.  Now your heling process begins.  It is important to understand that there will be some discomfort, swelling, and bruising. These are all normal.  Every patient’s healing process is different and there is no way of predicting if you will experience any of these symptoms.  The medications that have been prescribed will help keep you comfortable for the next few days.  Refrain from eating for at least 2- hours and until the anesthesia has worn off.

THINGS TO AVOID FOR THE FIRST 24-HOURS:

• Vigorous exercise, but you may return to work
• Drinking through straw or sucking motions
• No smoking for 48-hours
• Consuming alcoholic beverages will delay healing process
• Foods extreme in temperature or spicy
• Strong mouthwashes that contain alcohol

You may do the following to help healing and discomfort:

• You may take a non-aspirin pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Eat soft and nutritious diet for next 24-hrs
• Eat on opposite side of the treated area until it is comfortable
• Rinse with a warm salt water rinse (1-teaspoon in an 8 oz. glass of water) 3-times per day
• Brush teeth gently. You may start flossing gently after 24-48 hours, gradually increasing to normal force after first week.

Post-Operative Periodontal Surgery Instructions:

• Don’t eat or drink hot liquids or foods until the effects of anesthesia have dissipated. It will prevent injury to your mouth.
• Discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding is normal following gum surgery. A cold compress should be placed on face near the surgical site for 20-minutes at a time, with 10-minutes off the day of your surgery.  Doing so will reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.
• Take prescribed medications as instructed
• Refrain from vigorous exercise and keep your head elevated while sleeping
• Eat on the opposite side for a couple of days. Consume soft and nutritious foods while drinking plenty of fluids.
• Do not raise lips and probe the area with fingers
• Don’t brush your teeth near sutures. However, brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
• You may experience some sensitivity. Sensitivity will improve with time and with proper home care. Use of toothpaste such as Sensodyne can help.
• Do not spit or use a sipping straw for 24-hours
• Don’t smoke or consume alcohol for at least 48-hours. This will delay healing and may cause oral pain.
• After 24 hours, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon in 8 oz of water) 2-3 times per day.
• Minor bleeding from the treated area is expected for a couple of hours. To help bleeding, take a moist tea bag and place it on the affected area for 20 minutes.

Should swelling, pain or severe fever occur, please call us immediately

Post Root Canal Treatment Instructions

Things to do:

• Sensitivity should subside after a few days
• Take your prescribed medication as directed
• Because there is a temporary filling is on the tooth, avoid chewing on hard foods on the treated side. Chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth
• Do not bite lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be monitored carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain
• Soreness and sensitivity to cold and/or heat should go away in a few days
• Brush and floss gently for 2-4 days

Tooth Fillings post-operative Instructions

• Don’t chew for at least 1-hr following your visit. Wait until numbness subsides.
• Don’t bite lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums.
• Sensitivity to cold and heat should go away in a few days

Tooth Extraction Post-Operative Instructions:

• For a period of 1-hr after surgery, place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply new gauze and pressure for an additional 45 minutes.
• After surgery, place a cold compress on your face near the extraction site for 20 minutes. Remove for 10 minutes. Repeat.
• Don’t eat or drink hot foods and beverages after surgery
• Don’t rinse your mouth or spit
• Do not use a straw
• Don’t drink carbonated beverages.
• Don’t brush your teeth on the day of the surgery. Resume normal home care, gently brushing and flossing.
• Some bruising, swelling, and pain are normal. Take your prescribed medication and use a cold compress on your face.
• Plan to consume soft foods, such as soups, milk shakes, fruit juice, and yogurt, for 2-3 days
• Don’t bite lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be monitored carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.

Crown, Inlay/ Onlay Post-Operative Instructions

WHILE WEARING TEMPORARY CROWN OR BRIDGE

It is normal to feel discomfort in the gum around the tooth that was treated for 1-2 days.  If the tenderness persists any longer than two days, please notify our office immediately so we can check the temporary restoration and make any needed corrections.

• Please avoid eating with the temporary restoration as much as possible
• Carefully clean around the restoration with a toothbrush and floss every day. When you do floss, pull the floss carefully out the side to avoid pulling the restoration off.
• Avoid sticky foods and chewing gum on the temporary restoration to avoid displacement
• Slight discomfort, sensitivity and tenderness are normal after dental treatment. If it persist, for   more than 1-2 days, please call the office.

 After permanent restoration has been placed:

• Do not chew hard foods on the restorations for 24-hour from the time of delivery. The cement must cure for about 24-hours to have optimum strength.
• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods is common. It should disappear gradually over a couple of weeks. If sensitivity lasts longer than 6- weeks, please call our office to notify us.
• Do not chew on ice or other hard foods. Avoid chewing sticky foods such/ candies as they can damage or loosen the restoration.