Please select the procedure you received to see a summary of post-op instructions. Call us if you have any questions.
After Extraction Instructions (Adult):
Bite on gauze with firm pressure for 30-40 minutes.
Change gauze at 30-40 minute increments until bleeding has stopped.
No heavy spitting
Avoid hard, crunchy, foods such as pretzels, nachos and potato chips.
Do not smoke.
Do not drink from a straw.
Avoid alcohol.
Rinse with warm salt water as instructed in the office starting in 24 hours.
Take pain medication as directed, preferably by the clock and before anesthetic wears off. *Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin 600 mg: 2-3 tablets every 6 hours.
OR
* Naproxen/Aleve: 2 tablets to start, then 1 tablet every 8-12 hours.
* If needed: Acetaminophen/Tylenol can be alternated between dosing—NOT to exceed daily dosing.
- Bite on gauze with firm pressure for 30-40 minutes
- Change gauze at 30-40 minute increments until bleeding has stopped
- No heavy spitting
- Avoid hard, crunchy, foods such as pretzels, nachos and potato chips
- Do not drink from straw
- Rinse with warm salt water as instructed in the office starting in 24 hours
- Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen medication as directed by package
- Place tooth under pillow for tooth fairy

1- Do not eat on your new filling until your numbness is gone. There is no restrictions on tooth colored composite fillings once the numbness is gone .
2- If you are supervising children who had fillings done, make sure they don’t bite on their numb lips or tongue (it can cause serious injury to their soft tissue).
3- You may experience cold and heat sensitivity and some gum soreness; this usually subsides within a few days but can last several months.
4- Call our office if you experience pain or discomfort especially when chewing, you may need the bite checked and possibly adjusted.
5- Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any questions?
Composite Fillings4- A temporary crown is usually made of plastic-based material or soft metal. It can break if too much pressure is placed on it. The crown may also come off; if it does, save the crown and call our office. The temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth and prevent other teeth from moving. If it comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible. To avoid losing your temporary, do not chew on sticky or hard food (chewing gum, ice). Try to chew on the opposite side of the temporary as much as possible.
5- Continue your normal brushing but be careful while flossing around the temporaries (remove the floss gently from the side). If it is difficult to get the floss between the temporary and surrounding teeth, refrain from flossing until you receive your permanent crown.
6- After the permanent restoration is placed you may feel slight pressure for a few days. Also, the bite may feel different for a day or two. But if after 2-3 days the bite still feels uneven or if you feel discomfort when chewing on the tooth, call our office. Delaying the necessary adjustments may damage the tooth permanently.
7- Call our office if you are in pain or if you have any questions. Dental Crowns

- Remove when eating
- Retainer not designed to be worn while eating/chewing foods, this can lead to the retainer breaking
- Must take out when drinking fluids that may cause staining
- Coffee, Tea, Red wine
- Leaving retainers in will cause more stain to your teeth and to retainer
- May cause increased decay rate if left in while consuming food and drink
- Nighttime wear is recommended
- Denture cleaning tablets (Efferdent or Polident) -use as directed on manufacturing packaging
- Retainer Brite-available on-line or at the office
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
- ½ Hydrogen Peroxide, ½ water
- Place retainers into container with solution for approximately 15 minutes
1- You will experience some discomfort with any new denture for a few days. All new dentures need several adjustments to completely and comfortably fit your mouth.
2- You should take the dentures out every night and keep them in a clean container filled with water or denture cleaning solution. Your gums need to rest and be without the dentures every day for a period of time.
3- Clean dentures thoroughly with a brush and water before putting them back in your mouth.4- It may be difficult to talk normally with the new dentures for a few days. One way to practice is to read a book or newspaper out loud for a period of time everyday. Your tongue and muscles will get used to the new dentures and you will talk normally very soon.
5- Call our office if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or if you have any questions.
- DO NOT: touch, press, rub or manipulate the implanted areas for the rest of the day after treatment. Avoid kissing, puckering and sucking movements for the rest of the day as these motor movements can undesirably displace the implanted dermal filler material. You can cause irritation, sores, and/or problems, and possible scarring if you do.
- AVOID: Aspirin, Motrin, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A., Vitamin E, or other essential fatty acids at least 3 days after treatment; Alcohol, caffeine, niacin supplement, high-sodium foods, high sugar foods, refined carbohydrates (you may eat fruit), spicy foods, and cigarettes 24-48 hours after your treatment; Vigorous exercise and sun and heat exposure for 3 days after treatment.
- DISCONTINUE: Retin 2 days after treatment. It is best to wear no makeup or lipstick until the next day. Earlier use can cause pustules. One side may heal faster than the other side.
- Before applying bleaching gel brush teeth.
- Brushing before bleaching will help to remove surface debris and plaque
- If you do not have a toothbrush readily available, use a warm water rinse
- Carefully place a small amount of gel into bleaching tray
- One small drop at each tooth
- About the size of a head of a straight pin
- One small drop at each tooth
- Place tray in mouth
- Expectorate (spit) any excess gel that squeezes out of tray OR
- Take Q-tip and gently rub excess off of gums
- To avoid excess gel in the tray, adjust the amount next use
- Leave trays in for instructed amount of time
- Rev: 15 minutes
- Bleach only 1 time per day
- Most people reach their desired tooth shade in approximately 10-12 days.
- Do not eat or drink while bleaching or with trays in mouth
- Do not smoke
- Do not eat, drink or smoke 1 hour after bleaching
- The teeth are porous after bleaching, any colorful foods or drinks can stain the teeth defeating the purpose of bleaching session.
- Be sure to rinse trays after each use and allow trays to air dry
- Store trays in a safe place, as they are attractive to pets as toys
- Some people experience cold sensitivity. This is transient and can be relieved with over-the-counter desensitizing pastes (Sensodyne)
- If sensitivity persists and becomes too intense you can call the office and we can call a fluoride prescription into your pharmacy or you can stop in the office for Control Rx fluoride paste.
Ask us a Question
We are happy to answer any oral health related questions.