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POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS
These are general post op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly (601-664-0492).
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue. This will also allow the temporary restorative material to harden.
You will most likely feel soreness in the area as well as pressure when you bite down. For this reason, you should avoid hard and chewy foods. Do not eat on the treated side of your mouth for at least 24 hours. The soreness should decrease within a week.
Take any antibiotic medication prescribed to you by the doctor as this will eliminate any remaining infection in the tooth.
If you notice any of the following symptoms please contact our office:
- Increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth
- A reaction to the medication
- Loss of the temporary filling material
-Tooth fracture
CROWNS AND BRIDGES
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restoration. Do not pull up on the temporary when flossing this area. Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods on the restoration.
If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can reapply it for you.
Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following treatment. For the first few days, try to 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 you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water. You can also take Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Permanent Crown/Bridge: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different. This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition. If it still feels off in a few days, please call the office for a slight adjustment.
Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING
After your scaling or root planning, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. One teaspoon salt / 8 oz. water. You should start home care immediately, although you should be extremely gentle with the treated areas.
If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue where you had treatment, an Advil or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this feeling. The treated areas will probably be sensitive to hot and cold.
It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy foods for the next 48-72 hours while the treated area begins to heal.
You may also experience some swelling or jaw stiffness. If this does occur, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness.
Smoking should be terminated for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Please contact the office if the pain or swelling persists.
PORCELAIN VENEERS (LAMINATES)
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restorations. Do not pull up on the temporary when flossing this area. Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods on the restoration.
If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can reapply it for you.
Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following treatment.
For the first few days, try to 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 you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water. You can also take an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.
Permanent Veneers: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different. This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition. If it still feels off in a few days, please call the office for a slight adjustment.
Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. It is very important to thoroughly clean the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gumline. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
EXTRACTIONS
Extraction Post Operative Instructions
ANESTHETIC: The length of time you experience numbness varies, depending on the type of anesthetic youve received. While you are numb, be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue. The numbness should subside within a few hours.
BLEEDING A gauze pack has been placed over the extraction site to limit bleeding and confine the blood while clotting takes place. This gauze should be left in place for 45 minutes after you leave the office. Once removed, there may be some slight oozing. This may continue for several hours, and a slight discoloration to your saliva is normal for one to two days. Should heavy bleeding persist, place another dampened, folded gauze over the area, exert firm pressure by biting together, and maintain pressure for another 45 minutes. If bleeding continues, a moistened tea bag, placed over the extraction site for 30 minutes may be applied. Call our office immediately if heavy bleeding is persistent.
MEDICATIONS AND PAIN A certain amount of discomfort is to be expected following oral surgery. A prescription drug may have been prescribed for you to help control the pain. It is advisable to take a pain pill when you arrive home, and/or when the gauze pack is removed. The medication should be taken as prescribed. The first two doses should always be taken as indicated. Should you develop nausea, skin rash or diarrhea with the prescription medication, discontinue use and call our office immediately. If pain medication was not prescribed, or you do not feel it is required, you may take Tylenol or Advil unless otherwise advised by your physician or Dr. Achord..
SWELLING AND DISCOLORATION These are a part of the healing process and unless extreme, are of no practical importance. This can be reduced by applying an ice pack over the extraction site for 20 minutes of each hour. Continue this for as much as possible for the rest of the day. Do not use ice after 36 hours.
BLOOD CLOT AND RINSING After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the tooth socket. This clot is an important part of the healing process. You should avoid any activities that may dislodge this formation. Do not smoke or use a straw for drinking for 36 hours. Do not drink any carbonated beverages or alcohol for 36 hours. Do not rinse vigorously for 24 hours. A gentle rinse to cleanse your mouth may be done on the day of surgery. The next day, begin a warm salt water rinse (1/2 tsp to a glass) several times a day.
DIET A liquid and soft food diet should be maintained for the remainder of the day of your surgery. Remember that the medication that was prescribed may cause an upset stomach if taken without food in your system. You may gradually resume a regular diet as discomfort permits. It is important to maintain oral hygiene as extractions can cause an unpleasant taste and odor. The tongue should also be brushed to help alleviate this problem.
Proper care following oral surgical procedures will hasten recovery and prevent complications. If any symptoms or complications occur, please call our office at once.
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