POST OPERATIVE CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Ensuring a Safe and Easy Recovery

After a dental procedure, it is important to carefully follow post operative instructions for a speedy and safe recovery. Dr. Tran, Dr. Nguyen and the Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry team are here to help you every step of the way!

post operative care instructions
post operative care instructions

One of the most important stages of any procedure is recovery. During recovery, you can take steps to ease your discomfort, prevent infection and other complications and maximize your procedure’s results. At Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer several different oral procedures that each have special post-operative instructions and guidelines. Procedures and treatments that require post-operative care include root canals, crown appointments, dental extractions, filling appointments, periodontal treatments, custom fluoride carriers and frenectomies.

While post-operative care instructions vary from procedure to procedure, Dr. Tran and Dr. Nguyen will typically advise you to take pain medications, eat soft, warm foods, avoid strenuous activity and refrain from smoking in the days following your appointment. Explore more detailed post-operative instructions below.

What To Expect After Your Root Canal

Post operative care instructions for your root canal appointment:

  • Please be careful – you are numb! Try not to chew anything until the anesthetic wears off.
  • Your gum tissue may be sore for 24-48 hours at the injection site and around that tooth.
  • Please DO NOT chew on that tooth until you return to our office for your permanent crown. A root canal treated tooth is more likely to fracture without a permanent crown or filling.
  • The tooth itself may be sore for 2-3 days after treatment. Sometimes the tooth and surrounding area may be uncomfortable for a few weeks while healing.
  • If you are given any prescriptions related to today’s procedure, please take them as instructed by the doctor.

Directions for after your crown appointment:

  • Please be careful – you are numb! Try not to chew anything until the anesthetic wears off and remember to avoid chewing on and flossing around your temporary crown.
  • Your gum tissue may be sore for 24-48 hour at the injection site around your crown.
  • Remember that the temporary crown is just temporary! It will feel rough to your tongue, but the permanent crown will feel much more natural and smooth.
  • In the event that your temporary crown comes off, please give us a call.

Extraction Post Operative Care Instructions

  • Keep biting on gauze for 30 minutes. Change and leave on for another 30 minutes until blood clot has formed.
  • If swelling is present, place ice on the outside for 20 minutes. Take off for 20 minutes and then place for another 20 minutes if needed. Please do not leave on for more than 20 minutes at a time.
  • No drinking through straws, no spitting, rinsing or gargling.
  • Please eat soft, warm foods for the rest of the day.
  • No exercising for 24 hours.
  • No smoking.
  • Please take Ibuprofen as needed for pain. 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours is sufficient. If there is severe pain or presence of infection, please call our office immediately.

Care instructions for after your filling appointment:

  • Please be careful – you are numb! Try not to chew anything until the anesthetic wears off.
  • Your gum tissue may be sore for 24-48 hours at the injection site and around your new fillings.
  • Your new fillings may feel slightly rough or gritty. They will smooth themselves with normal wear and tear
  • If your bite feels funny after the numbness wears off, then please give us a call at your earliest convenience so that we may adjust and further polish your new fillings.
  • If you feel fine after your procedure, but develop sensitivity after several days, your new fillings may be too high. Please contact us so that we may adjust your bite.

Post Operative Care Instructions for Deep Cleaning/Periodontal Treatment

  • Take two ibuprofen, i.e. Advil, Nuprin, immediately if you feel discomfort, and two every 4-6 hours as required. If you are still uncomfortable, do not hesitate to call.
  • No smoking for 24 hours, if possible
  • Teeth may be sensitive to temperature changes and/or sweets. The sensitivity to temperature may be noticeable the first several days and usually diminishes quickly
  • Some slight bleeding may occur during the next several brushings, but the bleeding should steadily decrease.
  • As the gums heal, they may change their shape around the teeth. This is a normal occurrence as they tighten.
  • DO NOT chew until anesthesia has worn off, NO hot or spicy foods.
  • No popcorn, or foods with poppy/sesame seeds as it may get stuck under gums.
  • If we have placed any Arresting antibiotic in the gums, avoid flossing the localized area for 10 days.
  • You may care for the treated areas of your mouth with a soft toothbrush. Brush very gently the first evening to remove any debris.
  • To enhance healing time: Rinse with Chlorhexidine, the prescription mouthwash we gave you once daily. Fill the cap to the “fill line”, swish in mouth for 30 seconds then spit out. Do not rinse, eat, or drink for 30 minutes afterward.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 703-273-4505.

How to Use Custom Fluoride Carriers (Trays)

  • At bedtime brush teeth thoroughly with soft toothbrush and regular toothpaste. Floss teeth by sliding the floss up and down each side of each tooth. Note: It is very important to remove all food and plaque from between teeth before using fluoride. Food and plaque can prevent the fluoride from reaching the surface of the tooth.
  • Place a thin ribbon of the fluoride gel into each upper and lower fluoride tray so that each tooth space has some fluoride. The fluoride can be spread into a thin film that coasts the inside of the trays, by using a cotton-tipped applicator, finger or toothbrush.
  • Seat the trays on the upper and lower teeth and let them remain in place for 5 minutes. Only a small amount of fluoride should comet of the base of trays when they are placed, otherwise, there may be too much fluoride in the trays.
  • After 5 minutes, remove the trays and thoroughly expectorate (spit out) the residual fluoride.
  • Very Important – do not rinse mouth, drink or eat for at least 30 minutes after fluoride use.

Care for Fluoride Carriers (Trays)

  • Rinse and dry the trays thoroughly after each use. Clean them by brushing them with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • If the trays become covered with hard water deposits, soak them in white vinegar overnight and brush them the next morning.
  • Do not boil the trays or leave them in a hot car as they may warm or melt.
dr tran and blonde assistant working on male patient

Frenectomy Post Op Exercises

After a lingual frenectomy, you will receive instructions that show gentle massaging and stretching exercises that should be done several times a day. These stretches are the key to a successful tongue tie release treatment. They also promote proper healing in the area and prevent any scar tissue from developing. 

If your child has been diagnosed with a tongue tie and you want to learn more about the lingual frenectomy procedure, call us today (703) 273-4505.