After undergoing oral surgery, the best way to ensure a rapid recovery and avoid aggravation to the treatment is by following the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist. The instructions found below are general guidelines. After your surgery, the doctor or dental assistant will give you a complete set of instructions that will help you properly recover from your surgery.
As a rule of thumb, you should always wait two hours after surgery before eating to let the anesthesia wear off; eating before this could result in soft tissue damage because you cannot feel all of your mouth.
Root Canal Therapy
You can expect soreness after a root canal procedure for a few days. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed, so you do not irritate the area and allow the temporary restorative material to set correctly. You will also 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 temporary restoration (filling), call your dentist immediately.
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Crowns and Bridges
Before you receive your permanent crown or bridge, you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should gently brush the area and not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating - you should avoid sticky or chewy foods while the temporary is in place.
There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.
When the permanent crown or bridge is placed, it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, and it should feel like one of your natural teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know. Caring for your bridge or crown is just like caring for your teeth; this means brushing and flossing regularly.
White Fillings (Bonding)
After the anesthesia wears off, you will likely experience some sensitivity. You should avoid hot and cold food or drink for the next few days. After that initial period, your treated teeth will feel as good as new. Continue your regular hygiene plan to ensure that your fillings last for as long as possible.
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) 2-3 times a day. This will relieve the pain and cleanse the area.
You should continue brushing and flossing right after the procedure, but you should do so gently to avoid further irritation to the site. If you experience any swelling or stiffness in the area, you can place a cold compress on the site and take some pain relieving medicine.
Avoid any hard or chewy foods for 2-3 days after the surgery to ensure the area heals correctly. If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days, contact your dentist.
Scaling and Root Planing
Before you receive your permanent veneer, you will first receive a temporary restoration. This is not as sturdy as the permanent version, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. You should gently brush the area and not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become dislodged. The same goes for eating - you should avoid sticky or chewy foods while the temporary is in place.
There may be some sensitivity and irritation after the temporary or permanent is placed. This is normal and will subside after the soft tissue heals. A warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.
When the final veneer is in place, it may feel a little awkward for a few days. Your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth, but it should feel like one of your natural teeth in less than a week.
If your bite feels abnormal in any way, you should let your dentist know. When brushing and flossing, you should pay close attention to the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gum line.
Extractions
After the surgery, you will need to rest. You need to be driven home by a friend or family member as you will still feel the residual effects of anesthesia immediately following the surgery.
You can expect the extraction site to bleed for a little while after the surgery. Gauze will be applied after the surgery, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked. If bleeding continues for longer than 24 hours, you should call your dentist.
Rest when you return home, but do not lie flat. This could prolong the bleeding. Prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist will prescribe you pain medication, so if you become sore, take as directed. You can also use an ice pack for the pain. Your dentist might also provide you with 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, make sure you do not use a straw. The sucking motion can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. If you have prolonged pain, bleeding, irritation, or don’t feel that the extraction site is healing properly, call your dentist for a follow-up.
Dental Implants
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
General Considerations
Bleeding:
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling:
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.
Diet:
Drink plenty of fluids and avoid hot liquids or food. On the day of the surgery, you should only eat soft foods. Return to your regular diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain:
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may also be taken instead of Tylenol.
Ibuprofen, bought over the counter, comes in 200 mg tablets: two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Antibiotics:
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene:
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Warm salt-water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
Activity:
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this happens, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
