Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Following your dental procedure, proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery. Select your procedure below for specific instructions.
- Some pain, bleeding, swelling, and seeping are normal
- Don't view the site by pulling lip, don't probe with tongue or fingers
- Avoid forceful rinsing, spitting, or drinking through straw
- Bite on gauze pad for 30 minutes to reduce bleeding
- Some bleeding is normal for first 24 hours
- Take all medications and mouth rinses as prescribed
- After 24 hours: brush and maintain oral hygiene in untreated areas
- In treated areas: use soft manual toothbrush only the first week
- Avoid flossing in treated areas for first week
- No undiluted mouthwash, salt water, or peroxide rinses first week
- Swelling/bruising may occur, peaking at 2-3 days
- Cold compress to face near surgical site (cloth between ice and skin), 20 min on/20 min off
- After 36 hours: switch to moist heat
- Drink plenty of fluids; avoid spicy, acidic, sharp, crunchy foods
- No tobacco or alcohol (alcohol not to be used with pain meds or antibiotics)
- Minimize physical activity for 2-3 days
- Maintain pressure on surgical area by biting on gauze; replace as needed
- Supervise children to prevent tongue/lip biting
- Fill all prescriptions and take as directed; pain meds may impair judgment
- Swelling may peak at 2-3 days; cold compress 20 min on/off, moist heat after 36 hours
- First 24 hours: no straws, brushing, rinsing, spitting, or smoking; avoid hot/spicy foods, carbonated/alcoholic beverages; soft foods only
- Restrict activities on surgery day; resume normal next day
- After first day: gentle warm salt water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in 8oz water) 3x daily
- Sutures dissolve in 7-10 days or may need removal
- Call for severe pain, excessive bleeding/swelling, or concerns
- Dentures need several adjustments to fit comfortably
- Practice reading aloud daily
- Remove overnight or at least 6 hours daily for gum rest
- Store in clean container with denture cleaning solution
- Brush roof of mouth, tongue, and gums after removal
- Brush teeth and surrounding tissues after meals; floss daily
- Rinse mouth with water or mouthwash to remove particles
- Visit at least once yearly for adjustment
- Ill-fitting dentures can cause bone loss and oral disease
- Some tenderness is normal for a few days
- Take prescribed medications as directed
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until permanent restoration is placed
- Brush and floss normally, being gentle around treated area
- A follow-up appointment may be needed for permanent crown placement
- Contact us if you experience severe pain, swelling, or your bite feels uneven
- Some sensitivity and tenderness is normal
- Gums may bleed slightly for a few days
- Rinse gently with warm salt water 2-3 times daily
- Brush gently with a soft toothbrush
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods for the first few days
- Take any prescribed medications as directed
- Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled
- Some tooth sensitivity is normal and should subside within a few days
- Avoid dark-colored foods and beverages (coffee, tea, red wine, berries) for 48 hours
- Avoid tobacco products
- Use a sensitivity toothpaste if needed
- Follow any additional instructions provided with your take-home kit
- Contact us if sensitivity persists beyond a few days
- Wear aligners for 20-22 hours per day
- Remove only for eating, drinking (anything other than water), brushing, and flossing
- Clean aligners daily with a soft toothbrush and lukewarm water
- Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting aligners
- Switch to the next set of aligners as directed (typically every 2 weeks)
- Store aligners in their case when not wearing them
- Keep previous set of aligners as backup
- Contact us if an aligner cracks or doesn't fit properly