We're Here To Help Before, During & After Your Procedure

For tooth extractions, our general dentist recommends the following:

Place a gauze pad on the treated area for an hour to stop the bleeding. If bleeding does not stop, apply light pressure with the gauze pad for another 45 minutes.

Make sure children undergoing a procedure do not touch or bite down on their lips or tongue while they are still numb.

Avoid hot beverages, carbonated beverages, and hot foods the day of your procedure.

Do not rinse your mouth, use mouthwash, or drink with a straw since this can interfere with the healing process.

Do not brush or floss your teeth the day of surgery.

Do not spit.

Apply an ice bag and take prescribed medication to manage pain and discomfort.

Stick to a diet of soft foods and liquids for up to three days after the procedure. This might include oatmeal, yogurt, juice, milkshakes, soup, and pudding.

You may need to wear an ice wrap when having wisdom teeth removed or dental implants placed.

Call 911 in an emergency situation or call our office directly if you have excessive bleeding, pain, or any type of swelling.

If you are getting a filling, we recommend the following:

Avoid eating anything for at least an hour after your procedure or until after the numbness subsides.

Make sure children getting a filling do not bite down on their tongue or lips while they are still numb.

Avoid biting or chewing on silver amalgam fillings for 24 hours.

Be prepared for some tooth sensitivity and gum soreness for a few days after the procedure.

Call our office if you have excessive pain or discomfort for more than several days after treatment.

Dental crowns may take up to three appointments to complete so please be prepared to come in for multiple appointments and take care of your teeth between appointments. Our general dentist and cosmetic dentist recommends the following after each treatment:

Some tooth sensitivity, discomfort, and soreness is normal and will subside after we place the permanent crown.

Avoid chewing anything until the anesthesia has worn off completely.

Avoid losing your temporary crown by avoiding sticky foods, chewing gum, chewing on ice, and eating hard foods that can knock the temporary crown out of place.

Brush and floss around the temporary to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

You may feel some pressure after a crown is placed or feel that your bite is a little different. If your bite is still off after three days, please contact our office for an adjustment.

We do whatever we can to make getting a root canal as painless as possible. Our general dentist recommends the following after a root canal:

Some discomfort for up to a week is normal but any pain or irritation will subside within several days.

Take medication as prescribed.

Be gentle with the temporary filling we place and avoid sticky or hard foods.

Continue brushing and flossing the teeth but chew from the other side of the mouth.

Don’t delay placement of the final tooth restoration!

Do not touch the treated area with your tongue or fingers.

A sensation of numbness or loose teeth is normal and will subside.

Teeth cleanings should not cause any pain or discomfort. If you experience excessive bleeding or pain, please call our office. We recommend the following:

Maintain your brushing and flossing routine.

Avoid eating anything until the anesthesia has worn off.

Some tooth sensitivity and bleeding is normal.

Your teeth may be sensitive or you may feel light pressure when braces are first placed. This is completely normal. Our cosmetic dentist recommends the following:

Be gentle with braces and avoid eating sticky or hard-to-chew foods.

Make sure you are still brushing and flossing around braces.

Call us if you think you need pain medication or additional treatment.

Some swelling and discomfort can be expected after gum surgery. We typically prescribe pain medication to alleviate pain as the gums heal. We recommend the following:

Apply an ice bag with light pressure on the surgical site to reduce swelling.

Do not touch the treated area with your fingers at any time.

Do not brush your teeth around the treated area.

Do not smoke, spit, eat chewy or hard foods, or use a straw on the day of surgery.

Understand it is normal to experience numbness in the area or feel like the tooth is becoming loose.

Make sure to come in for your sutures removal visit on time.

This is a relatively extensive tooth replacement procedure so it is important to take extra care of your teeth and gums during the post-op phase. We recommend the following:

Take all medication as prescribed.

Apply an ice bag on the face over the surgical site on the day of surgery.

Come in to have sutures removed at the next appointment.

Do not touch the treated area with your tongue or fingers.

Avoid brushing teeth around the surgical site.

Understand that some numbness around the treated area is normal.

Refrain from smoking, spitting, using a straw, and eating hard or chewy foods for a few days after your procedure.

Some discomfort can be expected after denture placement and we will adjust these to ensure the optimal fit. We recommend the following:

Take your dentures out every night.

Keep dentures clean by storing them in a clean container with a denture cleaning solution.

Clean your dentures with a brush and water before inserting them into your mouth each day.

Practice talking with your new dentures by reading out loud. This is good exercise for your tongue and muscles in the jaw.

Bone graft surgery is a fairly extensive procedure and will require stitches being placed at the surgical site. Post-op instructions vary by patient and the type of bone grafting technique used. In most cases, our general dentist recommends the following:

Do not pull your cheeks or lips away from the treatment area to inspect it since this can cause undue pressure around the surgical site.

Be prepared to have sutures for up to three weeks post-procedure.

Brush around areas where a periodontal pack may have been placed.

Follow our doctor’s instructions for using saline and irrigation syringes to keep the surgical site clean.

Avoid eating hard, hot, and sticky foods since these can interfere with healing.

Stop smoking for at least 7 to 10 days after surgery.