Post-Op Instructions

Post-Op Instructions

Crowns & Bridges

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and/or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Temporary:

A temporary is a crown or bridge placed on prepared teeth while the final restoration is made. The temporary serves several important purposes: protecting exposed dentin from sensitivity, preventing food and bacteria accumulation, and stabilizing the tooth for easier final restoration placement.


The temporary is affixed with lightweight cement designed for easy removal. Avoid sticky foods like gum or caramels.


Clean the temporary as you would your natural teeth, but when flossing, pull the floss through rather than lifting the temporary. If it comes off, replace it and call our office for re-cementation. A bit of denture adhesive can help hold it temporarily.


Sensitivity:

Post-treatment sensitivity, especially to cold, is common. Avoid extreme temperatures and rinse with warm salt water if gums are tender. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil can help.


Final Crown or Bridge:

Adjustment may be needed after final restoration placement. If your bite feels off, contact our office for an adjustment appointment.


Home Care:

Though durable, crowns and bridges are still vulnerable to decay. Resume regular brushing and flossing immediately, and limit sugar intake to extend restoration longevity.

Crowns & Bridges

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and/or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Temporary:

A temporary is a crown or bridge placed on prepared teeth while the final restoration is made. The temporary serves several important purposes: protecting exposed dentin from sensitivity, preventing food and bacteria accumulation, and stabilizing the tooth for easier final restoration placement.


The temporary is affixed with lightweight cement designed for easy removal. Avoid sticky foods like gum or caramels.


Clean the temporary as you would your natural teeth, but when flossing, pull the floss through rather than lifting the temporary. If it comes off, replace it and call our office for re-cementation. A bit of denture adhesive can help hold it temporarily.


Sensitivity:

Post-treatment sensitivity, especially to cold, is common. Avoid extreme temperatures and rinse with warm salt water if gums are tender. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil can help.


Final Crown or Bridge:

Adjustment may be needed after final restoration placement. If your bite feels off, contact our office for an adjustment appointment.


Home Care:

Though durable, crowns and bridges are still vulnerable to decay. Resume regular brushing and flossing immediately, and limit sugar intake to extend restoration longevity.

Dentures

The following suggestions are provided to assist you in learning to use and properly care for your new dentures. If you have had teeth removed along with the placement of new dentures, you may also refer to Post-Operative Instructions for Extractions.


Breaking-In Period:

Most new dentures require a breaking-in period before becoming comfortable. This duration varies with each individual, depending on their ability, determination, and perseverance to adapt. Initially, you must learn to keep them in place and gradually adjust to using them.


What to Expect:

Feeling awkward initially with your new dentures is normal. Your appearance may have changed slightly, your speech may seem different, and your mouth may feel full. Over time, patience, and practice, these issues will likely diminish as facial muscles relax and adjustments are made.


Looseness:

If you've had teeth removed just before denture placement, it may feel loose due to gum shrinkage during healing. Temporary liners or denture adhesives can help maintain fit during healing. Once healed, a permanent liner will be placed, and normal biting and swallowing can aid in seating the dentures.


Sore Spots:

Soreness from uneven pressure on gums may occur, especially if you're new to wearing dentures. Wearing them for a few hours before an adjustment appointment can help pinpoint and correct sore spots.


Eating:

Begin with soft or easy-to-chew foods, taking small bites and chewing slowly. Distribute food evenly and chew on back teeth. Adjust techniques for foods requiring front teeth use. Avoid chewing gum or sticky foods initially.


Speaking:

Speaking with dentures requires practice. Reading aloud can help with enunciation. Avoid lip and tongue movements that displace or click dentures. Practice and repetition can improve speech confidence.


Mouth and Denture Hygiene:

Clean dentures after each meal with a soft brush and cleaning paste or soapy water. Remove dentures for at least 6 hours daily to rest gums, cleaning them and storing in water to prevent drying. Use enzymatic or special cleaning solutions weekly. Brush mouth tissues daily to reduce inflammation.

If dentures were placed over new extraction sites, wear them at night for the first 3 days to aid clotting. Resume regular care afterward.


Have dentures checked annually for changes in mouth structure and tooth wear. Proper maintenance slows changes in dentures and mouth tissues.

Extractions

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off.


The initial healing period usually takes one to two weeks, and you'll likely experience some swelling for the first forty-eight hours. Avoid chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has completely worn off. Some discomfort after the extraction is normal. Be sure to take any antibiotic medication prescribed for you as it will help the area to heal. An analgesic may also be recommended for your comfort and can be taken as directed. To avoid nausea, do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. You can also decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, for the first six hours following the tooth extraction(s).


A blood clot will form on the extraction site, and this clot is vital to the healing process. To keep the clot intact, avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue or fingers, do not drink liquids through a straw, and do not spit or swish vigorously. Blowing your nose or sneezing violently can also dislodge the blood clot and impair healing, so if you have an upper respiratory infection or suffer from allergies, be sure to have the appropriate sinus medication on hand. Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Smoking, or allowing food particles to pack into the tooth's socket, should be avoided, as both will significantly affect the healing process.


Twenty-four hours following the procedure, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm saltwater solution. (Dissolve one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Gently swish the solution around the affected area, and spit carefully.) You should do this two to three times each day for the week following the extraction. Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first twenty-four hours following surgery. Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat, as nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first forty-eight hours, and drink at least eight large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.


Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the bleeding area. Change the pad as necessary, and use them until the bleeding stops completely. You can also bite gently but firmly on a moist tea bag for twenty minutes. Be sure to call our office if bleeding persists or increases. The space left by the tooth will feel a bit strange to you at first. Eventually, new bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap left by the extraction.

Extractions

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off.


The initial healing period usually takes one to two weeks, and you'll likely experience some swelling for the first forty-eight hours. Avoid chewing for two hours following surgery, or until the numbness has completely worn off. Some discomfort after the extraction is normal. Be sure to take any antibiotic medication prescribed for you as it will help the area to heal. An analgesic may also be recommended for your comfort and can be taken as directed. To avoid nausea, do not take pain medication on an empty stomach. You can also decrease pain and swelling by applying an ice pack twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off, for the first six hours following the tooth extraction(s).


A blood clot will form on the extraction site, and this clot is vital to the healing process. To keep the clot intact, avoid touching the extraction site with your tongue or fingers, do not drink liquids through a straw, and do not spit or swish vigorously. Blowing your nose or sneezing violently can also dislodge the blood clot and impair healing, so if you have an upper respiratory infection or suffer from allergies, be sure to have the appropriate sinus medication on hand. Do not rinse your mouth the day of the surgery. Smoking, or allowing food particles to pack into the tooth's socket, should be avoided, as both will significantly affect the healing process.


Twenty-four hours following the procedure, you can rinse gently with mouthwash or a warm saltwater solution. (Dissolve one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Gently swish the solution around the affected area, and spit carefully.) You should do this two to three times each day for the week following the extraction. Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first twenty-four hours following surgery. Once the numbness has worn off, you should eat, as nourishment is important to the healing process. Limit your diet to soft foods like yogurt, soft soups, ice cream, or soft-cooked eggs for the first forty-eight hours, and drink at least eight large glasses of water or fruit juice each day.


Keep your head elevated with pillows to control bleeding. We will give you a supply of gauze sponges to place over the bleeding area. Change the pad as necessary, and use them until the bleeding stops completely. You can also bite gently but firmly on a moist tea bag for twenty minutes. Be sure to call our office if bleeding persists or increases. The space left by the tooth will feel a bit strange to you at first. Eventually, new bone and gum tissue will grow into the gap left by the extraction.

Fillings

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Sensitivity:

Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common for a time following treatment. For the first few days, avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off.


If your gums are tender, rinse with warm salt water, dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water. An analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil will help decrease discomfort.


The New Filling:

After the placement of your new restoration, it may take a few days to get used to it. If your bite feels unbalanced, please be sure to call our office for an appointment for a simple adjustment.


Home Care:

Although the treatment that was performed is quite durable, the underlying tooth is still vulnerable to decay, especially at the interface between the tooth and filling. It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. Daily home care and regulating your intake of sugar-containing foods will increase the longevity of your new restoration.

Gum Surgery

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Diet:

Do not eat for about 3 hours following the surgery. Then, a soft or liquid diet, including warm soup or instant breakfast, is advised for the next 2-3 days. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and hard, brittle foods such as tortilla chips, which can injure the surgical site. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a well-balanced diet are important to your recovery.


Medications:

Moderate discomfort may begin as the anesthesia wears off. A non-aspirin analgesic may be recommended to relieve any tenderness or discomfort and may be taken within the first hour after surgery. It is important to take the prescribed antibiotic as it will aid in the healing process. If you have a reaction to a medication such as nausea or a skin rash, stop taking it immediately and call our office.


Bleeding Control:

Slight bleeding or oozing after the surgery is normal and may occur at intervals for the first 24-48 hours. Forceful rinsing or excessive spitting can disrupt clotting, so do not rinse for at least 4 hours.

If bleeding persists:


  • Apply a moistened gauze pad or tea bag with moderate pressure to the bleeding site for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary.
  • Stay calm and quiet; lie down with the head elevated on 2-3 pillows.
  • If the bleeding persists, do not hesitate to call our office.


Swelling:

Slight swelling is a common response in the healing process. To minimize excessive swelling, place an ice bag or a cold, moist compress over the involved site for 10-20 minute intervals. Repeat this several times as needed over the next 48 hours. If the swelling increases or discomfort develops, call our office.


Oral Hygiene:

It is extremely important to keep your teeth and gums clean following surgery. Not only will this help to achieve a better result, but the tissues will heal faster. Brush your teeth very lightly the first night. Then begin flossing the next day, allowing the floss to very gently touch the gums of the surgical area. Do not force the floss vigorously between the tooth and the gums as this will prevent the new attachment from developing normally. Also, refrain from using any irrigation devices such as the Water Pik. After brushing and flossing, apply chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex), if prescribed, with a cotton swab first by dabbing the area lightly, and then gently swishing a capful in the mouth for 30 seconds. Avoid using any strong mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Chloraseptic and Cepastat may be used.


No Smoking:

Do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Smoking can seriously delay the healing process.


If you have any questions or problems, please call our office.

Porcelain Veneers

Do not eat for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Temporary:

Temporaries are acrylic or composite veneers placed on prepared teeth for protection while porcelain veneers are crafted in the lab. They serve several purposes: protecting exposed dentin to minimize sensitivity, preventing tooth shifting, and restoring tooth contour and appearance. Temporaries are secured with easily removable cement, so avoid chewing sticky foods like gum or taffy. Clean temporaries with your toothbrush as natural teeth. You may also floss using a floss threader if needed. If a temporary comes off, reattach it and call our office for recementing. A small amount of denture adhesive can help hold it in place temporarily.


Sensitivity:

Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common after treatment.


Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages for the first few days. If gums were recontoured, they may be tender. Rinse with warm salt water (dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz. of warm water) for relief. Analgesics like Tylenol or Advil can increase comfort.


Your New Smile:

After porcelain veneer cementation, it may take time to adjust. Changes in bite or tooth length, shape, and thickness may feel different. If your bite feels unbalanced, call our office for an adjustment appointment.


Home Care:

To maintain veneers and your smile, remember underlying teeth are still vulnerable to decay, especially at the gumline. Resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. Daily home care and moderating sugar intake will prolong restoration longevity.

Porcelain Veneers

Do not eat for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off.


Temporary:

Temporaries are acrylic or composite veneers placed on prepared teeth for protection while porcelain veneers are crafted in the lab. They serve several purposes: protecting exposed dentin to minimize sensitivity, preventing tooth shifting, and restoring tooth contour and appearance. Temporaries are secured with easily removable cement, so avoid chewing sticky foods like gum or taffy. Clean temporaries with your toothbrush as natural teeth. You may also floss using a floss threader if needed. If a temporary comes off, reattach it and call our office for recementing. A small amount of denture adhesive can help hold it in place temporarily.


Sensitivity:

Sensitivity, especially to cold, is common after treatment.


Avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages for the first few days. If gums were recontoured, they may be tender. Rinse with warm salt water (dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 oz. of warm water) for relief. Analgesics like Tylenol or Advil can increase comfort.


Your New Smile:

After porcelain veneer cementation, it may take time to adjust. Changes in bite or tooth length, shape, and thickness may feel different. If your bite feels unbalanced, call our office for an adjustment appointment.


Home Care:

To maintain veneers and your smile, remember underlying teeth are still vulnerable to decay, especially at the gumline. Resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. Daily home care and moderating sugar intake will prolong restoration longevity.

Root Canals

Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury to your lips and cheeks. This time interval will also allow the temporary filling to set to a reasonable hardness. Expect your tooth to be sore with chewing and biting pressure, so avoid very hard or chewy foods. This discomfort should gradually decrease within 7-10 days after treatment.


Be sure to take any antibiotic medication prescribed for you, as it will aid in the area's healing. An analgesic may also be recommended for your comfort and can be taken as directed.


If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, please call our office, as these complications do not occur routinely:


  • A reaction to the prescribed medication
  • Increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth
  • Dislodgement of the temporary filling from the tooth
  • Fracture of the tooth


A crown or other final restoration should be placed within a short time interval after root canal therapy is completed unless advised otherwise by us.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing therapy involves removing bacterial plaque and tartar from the root surface below the gumline using instruments and ultrasonics. It may also require removing diseased tissue within the pocket with a laser. The goal is to allow reattachment of the gums to the clean root surface and shrink the periodontal pockets to levels maintainable by daily flossing and brushing. Here are guidelines to maximize healing and minimize discomfort:


Refrain from eating for at least 2 hours or until the anesthesia wears off.


Things to Avoid for the first 24 hours:


  • Vigorous physical exercise (you may return to work)
  • Drinking through a straw or sucking motions
  • Smoking (better to refrain for 48 hours)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Foods extreme in temperature or spicy
  • Strong mouthwashes containing alcohol


Things to Do:


  • Take a non-aspirin analgesic like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for tenderness or discomfort.
  • Eat a well-balanced soft diet for today, chewing on the opposite side until comfortable.
  • Rinse with warm salt water (a teaspoon in an 8 oz. glass of water) 3 times a day.
  • Brush lightly in the treated area the first night and gradually increase pressure.
  • Begin flossing lightly the next day, increasing to normal force by the week's end.
  • After flossing and brushing, rinse with chlorhexidine gluconate (Peridex) if prescribed, for at least 60 seconds, twice daily. Chloraseptic and Cepastat are recommended mouthwashes.


After several days, gums should appear pinker, less swollen, and bleed less when flossing, indicating healing and improved periodontal health. For any questions or problems, please call our office.

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