Patient Information

Home Care Instructions

On this page: Post-Extractions | Post-Implants | Fillings
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Download and print Post-Surgical Instructions

Post-Operative Care - After Extractions

Bruising, Swelling, and Discomfort: Experiencing bruising, swelling, and/or discomfort are normal consequences following surgery. You will likely notice some bruising on your upper neck and jaw.

Bleeding: Within one or two days of your procedure, you may notice your saliva is lightly streaked with blood. If heavier bleeding occurs, place a piece of clean moist gauze or moistened tea bag over the area. This needs to be done for about 45 minutes. The tannic acid in tea helps blood clots (similar to a scab on an open wound) to form. You should avoid rinsing, spitting, or sucking actions for 24 hours after your procedure. For example, don’t drink beverages through straws or smoke, and avoid hot liquids (such as soup or tea). These activities can cause the clot to dislodge, which will cause dry socket in tooth extractions. Once your teeth are removed, it is common to experience swelling of the neck and face with extractions. The swelling peaks after 48 hours following your procedure and will gradually subside. For the first 24-hour period, you can apply a cold compress outside your face next to the surgery site for 15 minutes on, followed by 15 minutes off, and repeat.

Nausea: Following your procedure, you may feel nauseated and experience mild vomiting which can be caused from some medicines, specifically narcotic pain medicines, or after an anesthetic. Nausea after sedation generally does not last long and can be treated with antiemetics (a type of medicine to alleviate this problem). You can also drink carbonated drinks like ginger ale or cola to relieve nausea.

Restricted Mouth Opening: This is your body’s way of trying to protect itself, by filling the jaw muscles with fluid. This side effect will usually last a few weeks. You can apply heat and massage the area to try to alleviate this restriction. You can also do mouth opening exercises.

Elevated Temperature: You may experience a fever up to about 102°F, or 39°C, within the first 48 hours after surgery.

Oral Hygiene: On the day of surgery, do not rinse your mouth as this can affect the healing process. After the first 24-hour period, you can rinse gently hourly especially immediately after eating. Rinse with 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Do not use commercial mouth rinses. Avoid smoking for a minimum of three days.

Brush your Teeth: You need to continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth during the first 24 hours. On day two, you can resume the gentle brushing of your teeth. However, do not use commercial mouth rinses because these can irritate the area of extraction.

Diet: Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. When the extraction is more dificult, you will need to consume a soft or liquid diet for at least 24 hours after we have removed your teeth and up to 1 week. Following your procedure you should drink a minimum of six glasses of liquid during the first 24-hour period to stay hydrated.

Complete Healing: Complete healing will not occur for a few weeks to a few months following the removal of your teeth. Usually within the first week or two, you will feel reasonably comfortable.

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Download and print Post-Implant Instructions

Post-Operative Care - After Dental Implant Surgery

Following surgery, be sure not to disturb the wound. You should avoid spitting, rinsing, or touching the wound within the first 24-hour period. Often, there will be an abutment (to help secure the implant and ensure healing) protruding through your gum tissue. In order to ensure your implant heals properly and is successful, please adhere to the following:

Bruising, Swelling, and Discomfort: Experiencing bruising, swelling, and/or discomfort are normal consequences following surgery. You will likely notice some bruising on your upper neck and jaw.

Diet:Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours. When the extraction is more dificult, you will need to consume a soft or liquid diet for at least 24 hours after we have removed your teeth and up to 1 week. Following your procedure you should drink a minimum of six glasses of liquid during the first 24-hour period to stay hydrated.

Oral Hygiene: During the first 24-hour period, do not spit or rinse. This can disturb the blood clot and may open the wound which can prolong bleeding and hinder healing. After the first 24-hour period, you can rinse with 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water at least four to five times a day especially before bed and after meals. Do not use commercial mouth rinses. Do not brush your teeth near the surgical site for 48 hours. Be sure to be very gentle when
brushing. Also, be gentle when coughing up phlegm.

Brush your Teeth: You need to continue to brush your teeth, but avoid the teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth during the first 24 hours. On day two, you can resume the gentle brushing of your teeth. However, do not use commercial mouth rinses because these can irritate the area of extraction.

Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the probability of implant failure.You should avoid smoking for at least two weeks following surgery.

Prosthesis or Night Guards: Until your post-operative appointment, you should not use flippers, partial dentures, or full dentures.

Other Considerations: You should not be stretching your lip daily to inspect the dental implant area. You will notice that gum is covering the area—this is important so your implant can heal properly. There may be a healing cap placed over your implant. Be sure not to eat or chew on the healing cap because it will cause the implant to move below and could cause implant failure.

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After Composite Fillings (white fillings)

When an anesthetic has been used, your lips and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment. Avoid any chewing and hot beverages until the numbness has completely worn off. It is very easy to bite or burn your tongue or lip while you are numb.

It is normal to experience some hot, cold & pressure sensitivity after your appointment. Injection sites may also be sore. Ibuprofen (Motrin), Tylenol or aspirin (one tablet every 3-4 hours as needed for pain) work well to alleviate the tenderness. If pressure sensitivity persists beyond a few days or if the sensitivity to hot or cold increases, contact our office at 801-655-1900.

You may chew with your composite fillings as soon as the anesthetic completely wears off, since they are fully set when you leave the office.

If your bite feels uneven, if you have persistent pain, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please call our office at 801-655-1900.

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Patient Home Care Instructions

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