After Tooth Extraction

It is important for a blood clot to form in the extraction site. Just like any other wound you may have had in the past, the blood clot forms to stop the bleeding and start the healing process. This is why you were instructed to bite on gauze for 30 minutes after the tooth was pulled. If bleeding and oozing continues after the first half hour, place the additional gauze you were given at your appointment over the extraction site. You may have to do this a few times before the bleeding stops.

Once the blood clot forms, we want it to stay in place to make your healing as easy as possible. If the blood clot is disturbed and removed, a condition called a DRY SOCKET may form. A dry socket is often very painful and uncomfortable, often being worse than the original toothache. Therefore, do not vigorously rinse your mouth out, suck on straws, smoke, or drink alcohol for 48 – 72 hours. Do not brush next to the extraction site for the first day, but after 24 hours, you may resume your normal dental routine which should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will keep your mouth clean and fresh. Limit stressful exercise for 24 hours because this could increase your blood pressure and initiate new bleeding in the extraction site.

Some pain and swelling is likely after a tooth extraction. Cold applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. You can re-freeze the ice pack you were provided at the dental office, or use a bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area. If you were prescribed pain mediation, please take them according to the directions given.

Even if you start feeling better, it is very important for you to continue your full course of prescribed antibiotics. Not all patients are given antibiotics after a tooth extraction, but for those who are, please taken all the medication until gone. 

If your pain medication does not seem to be working, please call the office at 352-376-3400. We want to make your healing as comfortable as possible. Please keep in mind that the first 3-4 days following a tooth extraction are generally the most uncomfortable. Taking good care of yourself, drinking plenty of fluids, resting, and eating healthy will all assist in problem free healing.

After Composite (White) Fillings

Your lip, cheek, and tongue may be numb for several hours following your dental visit. Be careful not to chew your lip or tongue or eat and drink anything too hot until your anesthetic wears off. It is very easy to bite your tongue while still numb and not realize it until later when it becomes very sore!

It is normal to initially experience some cold and hot sensitivity after a new filling has been placed. This is especially true when an old metal (amalgam) filling has been replaced with a new composite (white) filling. You may also feel sore from the injection site of the anesthesia. Tylenol and Motrin (Ibuprofen) are very effective at alleviating pain following a dental appointment.

If pressure sensitivity (discomfort when chewing) persists beyond a few days or if your bite feels uneven, your filling may be too high. Please call the office so that we can make the necessary adjustments to your new fillings. 352-376-3400.

Your composite fillings are completely set when you leave the office. You are free to eat as soon as the anesthetic wears off.

After Crown and Bridge Work

If you need a new crown or a bridge, please know that it generally takes 2 to 3 appointments to complete. Your first visit will involve taking moulds of your mouth and preparing the necessary teeth for their new crowns or bridges. A temporary crown or bridge will be placed while your permanent dental restoration is fabricated in a dental laboratory. As with fillings, please wait to eat until after the anesthetic wears off. We don’t want you to bite your tongue or lip and be in pain later! 

A temporary is just that – temporary. They can occasionally come off. If this happens, please call the office and we will see you right away to re-cement it. Your temporary is important! It keeps your other teeth from shifting. If it is off too long, it can compromise the fit of the final, permanent crown or bridge.

To keep your temporary from coming out prematurely, avoid eating anything too sticky or hard (gum, caramels, taffy, candies). And if possible, chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Please continue to brush normally, but modify your flossing habit so that you are not pulling up against your temporary. Instead, pull the floss out from the side of the temporary as you were shown in the office.

After the appointment, you may have some temperature and pressure sensitivity. You also may be sore at the site of the injection. If your bite feels uneven or if you experience pain after a few days, please call the office so that any necessary adjustments can be made. 352-376-3400.

After Scaling and Root Planning (“Deep Cleanings” with the hygienist)

Following scaling and root planning, your gums may be quite sore. Motrin and Ibuprofen can assist in any discomfort. Aspirin can further promote bleeding, so choose motrin or ibuprofen instead. Also, a warm salt water rinse can soothe irritated gum tissues.

If you want to rinse your mouth with something other than salt water, choose an alcohol-free mouth rinse. Crest Pro-Health is a good example. Many products contain alcohol which can further irritate the gums so please read the labels.

After Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures and partial dentures take time to adjust too. Please expect about 5 follow up visits to the dental office to make necessary adjustments to your new dental prosthesis. Many patients do not require 5 visits where some may require more.

Be sure to take your dentures and partial dentures out at night. Just as you don’t wear your shoes to bed, your gum tissue needs time to breath and recover at night from the compression of your dentures. Leaving your dental prostheses in overnight can cause many problems including irritated gum tissues, oral fungal infections of the mouth, progressive bone loss, and an ill-fitting denture.