Dental Post-Op Instructions – Oklahoma City, OK
Tips for a Fast, Complication-Free Recovery
Whether you just got a new pair of dentures or a root canal, our team is here to help you make a speedy adjustment or recovery so you can enjoy your improved oral health and completed smile. Below, we’ve included post-op directions and tips on a variety of dental treatments. If you have any concerns following a procedure and aren’t sure if what you’re experiencing is normal or not, please don’t hesitate to call us immediately.
Bridge, Crowns, Inlays, or Onlays
- You will wear temporary restorations until your permanent restoration is made.
- If your temporary falls off or breaks, save the pieces and call our Oklahoma City dental office. Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
- Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
- Brush gently and carefully for the first few days.
Deep Teeth Cleaning
- Sensitivity to cold and heat will subside.
- Do not chew or eat until numbness subsides.
- Avoid spicy foods for a few days
- Brush and floss as directed by the dentist. Your gums may bleed a bit for a few days.
Denture Delivery
- It is normal to experience some discomfort and speech problems while getting used to your new dentures. New dentures need several adjustments to fit comfortably. To help with speech, read aloud for a few minutes every day. Your mouth will adjust, and your speech will improve.
- Remove your dentures every night to allow your gums to rest. Keep the denture in container of water or denture cleaner.
- Never use toothpaste or abrasives to clean the denture. Soap and a denture brush are adequate for daily cleaning.
- Thoroughly brush your dentures with water before wearing them.
Tooth Extractions
- For an hour after surgery, you should place pressure on the gauze pad covering the extraction site. If bleeding continues, apply new gauze and pressure for an additional 45 minutes.
- After surgery, you may need to place a cold compress on your face near the extraction site for 10 minutes. Remove for 5 minutes. Repeat.
- Do not eat or drink hot foods and beverages after surgery.
- Do not smoke for 24-48 hours. This increases the possibility of a dry socket.
- Do not rinse your mouth vigorously.
- Do not use a straw.
- Do not spit.
- Do not drink carbonated beverages.
- Do not brush your teeth on the day of the surgery. Then resume normal home care, gently brushing and flossing.
- Bruising, swelling, and some discomfort are normal – particularly if you have had a wisdom tooth extraction. Take your prescribed medication and use a cold compress on your face.
- Plan to eat soft foods, such as soups, milk shakes, fruit juice, and yogurt, for 2-3 days.
- Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
Fillings
- For an hour following your visit, do not chew. Wait until numbness subsides before eating. If you had amalgam fillings placed, do not chew hard foods on that side for 24 hours.
- Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
- Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
Root Canal Treatment
- Sensitivity should subside after a few days.
- Take your prescribed medication as directed.
- If a temporary filling is on the tooth, do not bite hard for one hour after your appointment. Once the permanent filling is in place, chew carefully on the opposite side of your mouth.
- Do not bite your lips, cheeks, or scrape your gums. Children should be watched carefully to make sure they don’t do this. It will damage soft tissues and result in pain.
- Sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as any soreness, should go away in a few days.
- Brush and floss gently.
