Post-Op Instructions in Kettering, OH

Topics on this page

Post-op Instructions for an Extraction | Post-op Instructions for a Root Canal | Homecare Resin Fillings | Homecare Amalgam Fillings | Home Whitening

Post-op Instructions for an Extraction

Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the successful healing of your tooth extraction.

When to call us

It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a tooth extraction, but call us right away if you have:

Heavy or increased bleeding
Pain or swelling that increases or continues beyond two or three days
A bad taste or odor in your mouth
A reaction to the medication

During the first 24 hours

It is important that a blood clot forms on the extraction site to stop bleeding, reduce pain, and speed healing. To protect the clot and avoid the pain of dry socket:

Bite on a gauze pad firmly for 30-60 minutes. Blood and saliva mix in the mouth and make it look like there is more bleeding than there really is. Some oozing is normal; however, after 1 hour, repeat with a clean gauze pad if oozing is profuse. The site could ooze for as long as 24 hours.
Don’t spit, and don’t suck on candies or through a straw.
Don’t rinse your mouth, and don’t brush or floss next to the site.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Avoid tobacco for at least 72 hours because it slows healing.
Don’t sneeze or cough, so have sinus or allergy medication on hand if necessary.
Limit yourself to calm activities, and elevate your head with pillows when you lie down to reduce bleeding.
Don’t drink hot, carbonated, or alcoholic drinks, and avoid hot or spicy foods.

To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended.

To keep swelling to a minimum, use an ice bag over the area, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

When the numbness has worn off completely, drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods, chewing on the opposite side.

After the first 24 hours

Begin to eat normally as soon as it’s comfortable.

Resume brushing and flossing, but clean gently around the site for about a week.

If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

Reduce soreness or swelling by applying moist heat. Swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.

Further reduce swelling by rinsing your mouth very gently with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. Rinse two to three times a day for the week following the extraction.

Post-op Instructions for a Root Canal

Caring for a temporary restoration

Now that you have had root canal therapy, it is important to follow these recommendations to ensure healing.

If we placed a temporary filling or crown on your tooth, avoid chewing for at least one-half hour to allow the restoration to harden.

To keep your temporary restoration in place, avoid eating hard or sticky foods, especially chewing gum. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.

It is not a problem for a small portion of a temporary filling to wear away or break off, but if the entire filling wears out, or if a temporary crown comes off, call us so that it can be replaced.

Chewing and eating

If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Your lips, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours.

Brushing and flossing

Brush and floss normally.

Medications and discomfort

If antibiotics were prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.

To control discomfort, take pain medication before the anesthetic has worn off or as recommended. It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal appointment, especially when chewing.

To further reduce discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water.

When to call us

Call our office if your bite feels uneven, if you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond three or four days, if your temporary filling or crown comes off, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Homecare Resin Fillings

Rinse with warm salt water

Homecare recommendations

Now that we’ve placed your resin filling, it’s important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success.

Chewing and eating

If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off completely.

Brushing and flossing

Brush and floss normally.

If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us.

Discomfort

To reduce any discomfort or swelling, rinse your mouth three times a day with warm salt water. Use about one teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water. It’s normal for your gums to be sore for several days.

When to call us

Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond three or four days, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Homecare Amalgam Fillings

Rinse with warm salt water

Now that we’ve placed your silver amalgam filling, it’s important to follow these recommendations to ensure its success.

Chewing and eating

If we used an anesthetic during the procedure, avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off completely.

Don’t chew hard foods or chew directly on the filling for 24 hours. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.

Brushing and flossing

Brush and floss normally. If your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure, use a desensitizing toothpaste. If sensitivity persists beyond a few days, call us.

Discomfort

When to call us

Call our office if your bite feels uneven, you have sensitivity or discomfort that increases or continues beyond three or four days, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Home Whitening

Teeth darken and stain

No matter how well you take care of your teeth, they can darken and stain over time.

Before we begin any whitening treatment, we check the health of your teeth and repair any damage.

We may take impressions of your teeth. From the impressions, we make plastic trays to fit your teeth exactly.

You use these trays at home with a special whitening gel that is stronger than any over-the-counter product.

At home procedure

Place a small amount of the whitening gel on the front surface of the trays and place them over your teeth. If gel gets on your gums, simply wipe it off.

You wear the trays for about two weeks. Depending on your situation, we may recommend that you wear the tray an hour a day or overnight.

You should see results in just a few weeks.

A home whitening system can—

lighten teeth stained by coffee, tea and wine.
be done at your convenience.

Because the trays are custom made, they fit securely over your teeth.

Home whitening can be an easy way to help brighten your smile.