Post-Op Instructions

Tooth Extractions

If you've had a tooth extracted, the following information will help you get through the first few days following your procedure. If anything occurs that you feel is out of the ordinary, please don’t hesitate to call us as soon as possible!

  • Place cold towels or an ice bag on your face for the first four hours following your extraction. Leave the treatment on for 15 minutes, remove for 15 minutes, and repeat.

  • Do not rinse your mouth until the day following surgery.

  • On the morning following your extraction, rinse your mouth with warm salt water. (Place 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water). Repeat several times daily. Apply heat to the outside of the face.

  • Keep fingers and tongue away from the socket.

  • Take prescriptions as advised. If no special drug is prescribed, take Ibuprofen or aspirin. Nausea is a common side affect of strong pain medications. The sooner these medications can be discontinued, the quicker the nausea will subside.

  • It’s normal for saliva to be slightly streaked with blood for about a day. If abnormal bleeding occurs, place a teabag or gauze over the extraction and bite down for one hour.

  • Swelling normally occurs after extraction and should not cause alarm. Maximum swelling occurs during the first 48 hours.

  • Drink at least two quarts of liquids each day. Juice, soup, milkshakes, and other liquids are fine.

  • Do not use a straw to drink liquids.

  • When resting, do not get up quickly or you may pass out.

  • All tobacco products should be stopped for five days following extraction to promote healing.

  • If you have any problems or questions when you return home, call our office or your physician immediately.

  • It’s very important that you report any unusual occurrences immediately.

Fixed Prosthetics

You have just received a plastic restoration that will serve you for a short period of time. Here are a few things you will find helpful:

Chewing

  • The temporary cement requires about a half hour to set. Please do not chew during this period of time.
  • Temporary restorations are not strong. They may occasionally break or become detached. If this occurs, call us for a replacement. If you cannot contact us, apply some denture adhesive, such as Fixodent, to your temporary and place it on your tooth. This measure will retain the temporary restoration until you can come into our office.
  • Please do not remove your temporary restoration. If you do, your teeth may shift and cause your permanent restoration to fit incorrectly.
  • Certain foods stick to temporary restorations. This will not occur with your permanent restoration.
  • Please keep in mind that the color of the plastic temporary does not resemble the final restoration in any way.
  • The shape and size of your temporary restoration will closely approximate your natural tooth. Posterior temporaries may feel larger to the tongue and tend to collect food due to the nature of the material used.
  • Temporary restorations may leak saliva or food into the tooth. Sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet tastes is not uncommon. This will not occur with your permanent restoration.

Please call us if you have any questions or problems.

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