Post-Op Care Information

Post-op care is tailored to each patient depending on many factors such as medical history, type/difficulty of procedure, and pain tolerance.

We will go over your personal instructions with you in office but if you have any lingering questions you can use this page as a resource to refer to. Please know you can always call us with your questions and concerns!

Extractions

It is important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process.

  • It is important to avoid any activities that will disturb the clot.

  • Bite firmly but gently on a gauze pad placed by your dentist to reduce bleeding and allow a clot to form in the tooth socket.

  • Change gauze pads before they become completely soaked with blood. Otherwise leave the pad in place for ~1 hour after the extraction or longer if bleeding has not ceased.

  • Do not aggressively rinse or spit for 24 hours after the surgery.

  • Do not drink through a straw or smoke for 1 week.

  • A soft diet is recommended for 1 week after surgery. Avoid foods such as potato chips, popcorn, nuts etc. Avoid hot, spicy foods and anything acidic such as tomatoes and citrus fruits.

  • Avoid any physical activity for the first 24-48 hours.

  • We recommend taking something for pain relief within one hour of leaving the office to reduce discomfort as the anesthesia starts to wear off

    • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is very effective. If you have a medical condition that precludes ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good alternative however it does not contain anti-inflammatory properties

    • Aspirin products are not recommended as they can increase bleeding.

  • Pain management is very patient specific - our team will give you more detailed instructions based on your surgery and medical history

 Root Canals

Root canals can evoke some fear and uncertainty. We want you to know that this is a common procedure and is an excellent option for prolonging the life of your tooth.  At Island Roots, we want you to feel educated and confident about the treatment you choose. Should you need a root canal please refer to the tips below to ease the healing process and decrease pain/complications:

  • We recommend taking something for pain relief within one hour or leaving the office to reduce discomfort as the anesthesia starts to wear off:

    o   Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is very effective. If you have a medical condition that precludes ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good substitute for pain relief however it does not contain any-inflammatory properties.

    o   Aspirin products are not recommended as they can increase bleeding.

  • It is normal to have some discomfort and sensitivity in the first few days following the procedure

  • You may rinse with warm salt water to help with swelling and encourage gingival healing (1 tsp table salt in 1 cup warm water).

  • If the pain is quite pronounced avoid chewing on the area for the first few days to give the tooth and the surrounding ligament time to heal. Avoiding the tooth will minimize any pain caused by pressure or micromovement.

  • Avoid hard, crunchy and sticky foods (these aren’t great for your teeth at any time!)

  • Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours following the procedure; smoking contains nasty inflammatory mediators that can affect healing.

  • Most teeth (especially molars) treated with a root canal are much more likely to fracture. It is therefore recommended that the tooth be covered with a crown once your root canal has fully healed.

 Dentures

Dentures can be a huge learning curve; we are here for you. Here are some suggestions following placement of a denture after tooth extraction(s):

  • Do not remove the denture until the morning following surgery. If the denture is removed prematurely the extraction sites can swell and you may not be able to get the denture back in.

  • Remove the denture the morning after surgery. Rinse your mouth and the denture well. Brush any remaining teeth as usual and be careful around the treated area. Reinsert the denture immediately after cleaning.

  • Make sure to attend any post-op or adjustment appointments as suggested by the dentist or denturist

  • No smoking or drinking alcohol for the first 48 hours minimum

  • Do not leave the denture out for any prolonged period of time for the first five days.

  • No hard, sticky or chewy food. We recommend a soft nutritious diet for the first few days following your extraction(s) (eg. Scrambled eggs, shakes without a straw, yogurt, soups/stews)

  • You may find that your denture affects the way you talk at first- this is part of the learning curve; stick with it. It is a new foreign material and your mouth will slowly relearn and accommodate the prosthesis.

  • You may find you have to cut your food into small pieces or modify your diet at the beginning of your denture journey; this is normal. With persistence you will find a way to settle into your new denture and eat the foods you love!

  • Dentures are like a new pair of shoes; you must break them in first before you get used to them! So keep going and don’t mind those calluses or blisters along the way.

 Temporary Crown & Bridge Care

  • The temporary crown was placed to protect your teeth, hold space and maintain esthetics while your custom restoration is made at a dental lab. It is common for a small piece of temporary to break off or wear away.

  • Your temporary crown will not look or feel like your permanent one.

  • Try to avoid chewing on the temporary crown until a permanent crown is inserted.

  • Avoid any foods that are: hard, sticky or chewy.

  • If the temporary crown comes off or substantially breaks, attempt to retrieve and save it. Call the office to let us know and we will arrange a time to have it fixed or replaced. Leaving a temporary crown out for extended periods of time can affect the fit of your permanent crown.