Dental Post-Op Instructions

Follow Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein’s dental post-op instructions for the below treatments to ensure proper healing and avoid complications. As a rule, you should wait two hours post-surgery to let the anesthesia wear off; eating before the anesthesia wears off could result in soft tissue damage because you cannot feel all of your mouth. The post-operation instructions found below are guidelines. After your surgery, Dr. Mata-Stein will give you complete instructions on properly recovering from dental surgery.

Root Canal Therapy

You can expect a few days of tenderness and soreness after a root canal procedure. It is best to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where your Kenosha endodontist performed the root canal procedure, so you do not irritate the treatment area and ensure the temporary restorative material sets appropriately. Also, you must take an antibiotic to fight and treat any remaining infection in your tooth. If you feel an increasing amount of pain or discomfort, a reaction to the pain medication, or the loss of your temporary restoration (filling), call Dr. Felicia Mata-Stein immediately.

Dental Crowns & Bridges

Before you receive your permanent dental crown or bridge, your Kenosha cosmetic dentist will create a temporary restoration. The temporary restoration is not as sturdy as the permanent one, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. It would be best to brush the area gently, and it is advised not to pull up on the tooth when flossing because the tooth could become loose or dislodged. The same goes for eating. You should avoid chewy or sticky foods while you have the temporary.

There may be sensitivity or discomfort after Dr. Mata-Stein places the temporary or permanent. This sensitivity is expected and will subside after your soft tissue heals. Also, a warm salt water rinse will help, and you can take Advil or Tylenol if the pain does not go away.

When the permanent crown or dental bridge is placed, it may feel awkward for a few days. Your mouth will need to adjust to the new tooth. It should feel and look like one of your natural teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal, you should let your dentist know. Caring for your dental bridge or crown is like caring for your natural teeth. You should brush and floss daily.

White Fillings (Bonding)

After the local anesthesia wears off, your teeth will probably be sensitive, and you may experience discomfort. Avoid hot and cold drinks or food for the next few days. After that initial recovery period, your treated teeth will feel natural. Continue your regular oral hygiene plan to ensure your dental fillings last a lifetime.

Scaling & Root Planing

After this procedure, your gums will be slightly sore and irritated for a few days. It will help to rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt/8 oz water) 2-3 times daily. This rinse will relieve the pain and cleanse the area. It would be best to continue regular brushing and flossing right after the procedure. Still, it would be best to brush gently, not further irritating the area. Suppose you experience any swelling or stiffness in the area. In that case, you can place a cold compress on the site and take pain-relieving medicine. Avoid hard or chewy foods for 2-3 days after the surgery to ensure the area heals correctly. If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days, contact your dentist.

Dental Veneers

Before you receive your permanent dental veneers, you will first receive a temporary restoration. The temporary restoration is not as sturdy as the permanent veneers, so you should be careful when cleaning and eating. It would be best to brush the area gently and not pull up on the tooth when flossing because it could become loose or dislodged. The same goes for eating. It is best to avoid sticky or chewy foods while you have the temporary in.

There may be some sensitivity or discomfort after our cosmetic dentist places the temporary or permanent veneer. This sensitivity is normal and will lessen after the soft tissue heals. Furthermore, a warm salt water rinse will help, and you can also take Tylenol or Advil if the pain doesn’t go away.

When Dr. Mata-Stein places the veneer, it may feel awkward or strange for a few days, but your mouth needs to adjust to the new tooth. It should feel like your natural teeth in less than a week. If your bite feels abnormal, you should let Dr. Mata-Stein know. When brushing and flossing, paying close attention to the area between the dental veneer and the tooth at the gum line is best.

Tooth Extractions

After the surgery, it would help if you get some rest. It would be best if you were driven home by a family member or friend because of the anesthesia. After the surgery, you can expect the extraction site to bleed briefly. Dr. Mata-Stein will apply gauze after the procedure, and you will need to swap it when it becomes saturated. If bleeding continues for 24 hours, you should call Dr. Mata-Stein. Rest when you can but do not lie flat. Laying flat could prolong the bleeding. Instead, prop your head up on a pillow when lying down. Your dentist will prescribe pain medication, so if you become sore, take it as directed. You can use an ice pack for the pain. Your dentist might also provide a cleaning solution to clean the extraction site.

After surgery, you will be limited to liquids and soft foods for a few days. Some recommended foods are:

Gelatin
Pudding
Yogurt
Mashed Potatoes
Ice Cream
Thin Soups
Other food you can eat without needing chewing.

When drinking, make sure not to use a straw. The sucking action can loosen your sutures and slow the clotting process. The same goes for smoking. Call our dentist in Kenosha at Denthetics, LLC for a follow-up if you have prolonged pain, bleeding, or irritation or don’t feel the extraction site is healing properly.

Schedule A Dental Appointment

Contact our Kenosha dentist at (262) 484-4102 to schedule a consultation to improve the function and aesthetics of your smile. We are here to answer any dental post-op instructions questions your may have. With over 25 years of experience, we treat patients from Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie, Somers, and Sturtevant, WI.

Dental Post-Op Instructions