Post Op Instructions
After an extraction
The first goal after an extraction is to form a blood clot at the site. Usually, a moist gauze is placed for 5-15 minutes. We will make sure your initial clot is in place before you leave.
Keeping the clot in place allows healing and covers the sensitive bone. Avoid hard foods and heavy lifting for a couple of days, and use straws to avoid suction that dislodges the clot.
After two days, begin gently brushing the area as tolerated. Pain medication will be individually prescribed for you. In the case of a previous infection or compromised health, an antibiotic may be prescribed. The socket area will heal from the bottom and sides of the socket and is best left alone for optimal healing.
After your Root Canal
Predicting pain after a root canal most often depends on the state of the tooth at treatment.
If you arrive at our office in pain, expect two to three days after opening (starting) or completing a root canal. Pain medications most often take care of the pain to tolerable levels.
Signs of infection are more than slight swelling that gets larger over time, fever, and tiredness. Report these symptoms early so we can place you on antibiotics. A root canal is completed about 50% of the time with minimal discomfort after treatment. About 45% of the time, moderate discomfort occurs because some of the canal debris gees out the root end and must be cleaned up by your body. Usually, a moderate pain medication like Advil can get you through. Less than 5% of patients have infection or extreme pain. When this happens, coordinate your care personally with me or the staff.
After braces
Three things to keep in mind:
- Clean your teeth well with an electric brush for five minutes daily to remove plaque. Plaque causes gum disease and decay as well as bulging gums around brackets.
- Eat carefully to avoid breaking brackets. Avoid sugar and starch-filled foods, and you will be happy with little or no decay in your teeth at the end of treatment.
- Keep them straight with retainers. The simple rule is muscles always win when pushing against teeth. Other sleep habits like clenching, grinding, mouth breathing, tongue thrusts, and sleep positions can all move teeth. The solution is great nighttime retainer wear, possibly for a lifetime.
After restorative; crowns, fillings & bridges
All dental restoratives stress the tooth to some degree. We try to minimize this stress by using lasers, careful decay removal, magnification, and experience.
Generally, if the pulpal tissue inside the chamber of the tooth is healthy, then the tooth is comfortable after restoration. An irritated pulp tissue that will probably get better over a few weeks’ time has a sensitivity to ice for three seconds or less once the cold is removed. If this gradually improves, your tooth will heal because of its good blood supply. Teeth that have had more stress placed on the pulp (from cracks, deep decay, fractures, etc.) causes the pulp to lay down for dentin inside the root. This narrows the canal, pinching off the tooth’s blood supply and causing the tissue to die. These teeth often need root canal treatment or removal for your comfort.
