Post-op Instructions

We advise that you take the recommended pain medication within one hour of leaving our office. This allows the medication to get into your system before the anesthesia we administered wears off.
Your tooth may be tender after treatment and will become progressively more comfortable within a few days. Any post operative tenderness is best alleviated by taking 400-600 mg of ibuprofen (Advil) every 6 hours for the next 2-3 days. If the Advil does not completely alleviate the pain, you can take 1000mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in addition to the ibuprofen. Do not exceed 2400mg ibuprofen and 4000mg acetaminophen per day.
Whenever possible, try to chew on the opposite side from the tooth we have just treated. Until you have a final restoration placed, your tooth is weakened and could fracture (requiring its removal).
Please avoid chewing gum, caramels or other sticky soft candy. These can dislodge your temporary filling or cause tooth fracture.
If you were given a prescription for an antibiotic, please take the medication as directed on the bottle until it is completely gone. This will help your immune system completely remove the infection.
Should you continue to experience post-operative discomfort that is not alleviated by the above medications, or should you develop swelling in the affected area, please contact our office

After tooth extraction, it is important to bite on gauze for 60 minutes changing it every 15 minutes in order for the clot to form. If the bleeding persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may need to do this several times.
Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke or drink alcohol for 72 hours. Limit vigorous exercise and do not brush the teeth next to the extraction site for 24 hours.
For 2 days after your extraction avoid any small hard foods that might get caught in the extraction site. Examples include popcorn, nuts, tortilla chips and seeds.
Use the pain medication as directed.
If you were given a prescription for an antibiotic, please take the medication as directed on the bottle until it is completely gone. This will help your immune system completely remove the infection.
Should you continue to experience post-extraction discomfort that is not alleviated by the above medications, have heavy bleeding, be in severe pain or have swelling for 2-3 days, please contact our office.

Please avoid chewing excessively hard or sticky foods on the temporary (such as hard candy, ice, and raw carrots). Also be careful when flossing not to pop off the temporary.
Your tooth may be tender after treatment and will become progressively more comfortable within a few days. Any post operative tenderness is best alleviated by taking 400-600 mg of ibuprofen (Advil) every 6 hours for the next 2-3 days. If the Advil does not completely alleviate the pain, you can take 1000mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in addition to the ibuprofen. Do not exceed 2400mg ibuprofen and 4000mg acetaminophen per day.
If your temporary pops off, you can temporarily place it back on using toothpaste or vasoline as a temporary cement. Give our office a call and we will gladly see you to re-adhere the temporary using a stronger adhesive.
Don't worry about mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods. It will disappear gradually over a few weeks. Please call us if the sensitivity persists.
If your bite feels off, or if you have sensitivity to pressure or temperature for several weeks, please contact us.
Maintain your regular preventative care. It's critical for keeping your new restorations healthy.

It is normal for your gums to feel tender. We strongly recommend rinsing twice daily for two days with warm (not hot) salt water to speed-up healing and reduce tenderness. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in a glass of 8oz (1 cup) warm water. Any post operative tenderness is best alleviated by taking 400-600 mg of ibuprofen (Advil) every 6 hours until the pain has diminished. If the Advil does not completely alleviate the pain, you can take 1000mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in addition to the ibuprofen. Do not exceed 2400mg ibuprofen and 4000mg acetaminophen per day.
It is normal for your teeth to be sensitive to cold and hot foods or liquids after deep cleaning. Should this become problematic, try using a tooth paste for sensitive teeth. If your sensitivity continues, please call our office.
It is very important to continue thorough homecare. Leaving plaque on the teeth will slow healing and greatly minimize the benefits of treatment.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us.

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