Patient resources
Post-Op Care Instructions
Recovery guidance written by our doctors. Choose your procedure below for step by step instructions and what to do if something does not feel right.
Choose your procedure
Healing well after dental treatment
The first 24 to 72 hours after a dental procedure are the most important for a smooth recovery. Below you will find detailed instructions for the most common procedures we perform. If you have any concerns at all, call our office. We would rather hear from you and reassure you than have you wait and worry.
Tooth extraction recovery
Bleeding control, gauze technique, what to eat, what to avoid, dry socket prevention, and when to call our office.
View extraction instructionsDental implant aftercare
Caring for the surgical site, swelling and bruising expectations, oral hygiene, diet, and protecting osseointegration.
View implant instructionsRestoration recovery
Post-treatment care for crowns, bridges, fillings, inlays, and onlays. What to expect when the anesthesia wears off and how to manage temporary sensitivity.
View restoration instructionsRoot canal aftercare
Managing post-treatment soreness, when to take pain medication, foods to avoid, and how to protect the tooth before the permanent crown is placed.
View root canal instructionsInstrucciones postoperatorias
Instrucciones de cuidado posoperatorio en español para cirugía oral, extracciones, e implantes dentales osteointegrados.
Ver instruccionesGeneral guidance
Universal rules for the first 24 hours
These tips apply to almost every dental procedure. Your specific instructions will go further, but if you only remember four things, remember these.
Rest and hydrate
Take it easy for the rest of the day. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol while you are healing or taking prescription pain medication.
Manage swelling
Use a cold pack on the cheek over the surgical area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off during the first 24 hours to keep swelling down.
Take medications as directed
Follow the dosing schedule we give you. Start prescription pain medicine before the local anesthesia wears off so you stay ahead of any discomfort.
Eat soft, nourishing foods
Stick to lukewarm soft foods for the first day or two. Avoid anything crunchy, spicy, or extremely hot until the surgical site is settled.
When to call us
Symptoms that warrant a phone call
Some discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding are normal in the first day or two. Call our office right away if you notice any of the following: bleeding that will not slow down with firm gauze pressure for 30 to 45 minutes, increasing rather than decreasing pain after the first 48 hours, swelling that is getting worse instead of better, fever, pus or a bad taste at the surgical site, numbness that does not go away, or any reaction to a prescription medication. For life threatening swelling, difficulty breathing, or trauma, go directly to the nearest emergency room.
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