It is important to follow post-operative care instructions after you have oral surgery to ensure proper healing and to avoid adverse health results.
After any oral surgery with anesthesia, always wait two hours before eating while the anesthesia wears off. Eating sooner could result in soft tissue damage because you will not feel any pressure or damage to your teeth, tongue, or gums. After your surgery, Dr. Firlik or her assistant will give you more comprehensive instructions on how to properly recover after surgery.
White Fillings and Dental Bonding
After the placement of new fillings or bonding, your teeth might be sensitive. You should avoid hot and cold food or drinks for the next few days. After that, your teeth will feel like new. Continue your regular dental hygiene practices to ensure that your fillings last for many years.
Scaling and Root Planing
After this procedure your gums will probably be slightly sore and irritated for a few days. You should rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt/8 oz water) two to three times a day. This will relieve the pain and cleanse the gums. Brushing and flossing should be continued, but you should do so gently so that you do not further irritate the area. If you experience any swelling, you can use a cold compress and take pain relieving medication. Avoid any hard or chewy foods for two to three days after the surgery to ensure the area heals properly. If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days, contact our office.
Veneers
We will place a temporary restoration before you receive your permanent veneer. The temporary is not as strong as the permanent restoration, so you should be careful when cleaning you teeth and eating. You should brush the area gently and should not pull up against the tooth when flossing because the veneer could dislodge. Also avoid eating sticky or chewy foods.
There might be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent restoration is placed. This is normal and will subside as the surrounding tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you also can take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not diminish.
After the veneer is placed it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the veneer, and it should feel like one of your natural teeth in less than a week. If you continue to have pain or your bite feels abnormal in any way, contact us for a follow-up visit..
Crowns and Bridges
Before we place your permanent crown or bridge, we will place a temporary restoration. This will not be as strong as the permanent one, so you should be careful when cleaning your teeth and eating. You should brush the area gently and should not pull up against the tooth when flossing because the temporary restoration could dislodge. You also should avoid sticky or chewy foods.
There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent restoration is placed. This is normal and will subside as the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you also can take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away. When the
permanent crown or bridge is placed it might feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth or teeth, but it should feel like your natural teeth in less than a week. Caring for a bridge or crown is just like caring for your own teeth; you should brush and floss regularly. If you continue to have pain or your new restoration or bite feels abnormal in any way, call our office.
Extractions
After this surgery you should rest at home. You should have a friend or family member drive you home because the anesthesia used during the procedure will affect your alertness and judgment. You can expect the extraction site to bleed for a short while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied at the completion of the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours you should call our office. Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat, because this could prolong bleeding. Prop up your head on a pillow when lying down. An ice pack can be helpful with pain relief. If Dr. Firlik prescribes pain medication for you, take it as directed and needed. She also might provide you a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.
You will be limited to soft foods for a few days after your surgery. Some recommended foods are:
Gelatin
Pudding
Yogurt
Mashed Potatoes
Ice Cream
Thin Soups
Any other food you can eat without chewing
When drinking, do not use a straw because the sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. Do not smoke while the healing process takes place. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly, call our office.
Root Canal Therapy
You can expect soreness for a few days after a root canal procedure. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed so you do not irritate the area and to ensure that the restorative material properly cures. You also will need to take an antibiotic to treat any remaining infection in your tooth. If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, a reaction to the medication, or the loss of the restoration (a filling, for example), call our office immediately.
