POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS These are general post op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having other symptoms that are not listed here or if you have a dental emergency, please contact us right away.   ROOT CANAL THERAPY:   It's best to avoid eating for at least 2 hours and until the Local or General anesthesia has worn off to prevent the possibly of injury to your soft tissue. This time will also give the temporary restorative material more time to cure /harden. After your root canal therapy you will most likely feel soreness in the general area as well as feel slight pressure when you bite down.  For this reason, you should avoid hard foods and foods that require more chewing than normal. Make sure when you eat that you do not eat on the side of your mouth that the procedure took place for at least 24 hours. Any soreness related to your root canal therapy should be gone within a week. If you experience soreness longer than 7 days please call the office.   Be sure to take any antibiotic that Dr. Whelan has given you. This will remove any infection that is left in the tooth. Do NOT stop taking the antibiotic when you feel better, Be sure to take as directed until all the medicine is gone. Infections can still be in the tooth and if you stop taking the medication the infection can become immune to the medication and come back much worse.   If you notice any of the following symptoms after your root canal therapy please contact our office:   Increasing tenderness or swelling in the area surrounding the tooth A reaction to the medication Loss of the temporary filling material Tooth fracture CROWNS AND BRIDGES:   It's best to avoid eating for at least 2 hours and until the Local or General anesthesia has worn off to prevent the possibly of injury to soft tissue Temporary crowns: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary crown restoration.  Do not pull up on the temporary crown when flossing this area.  Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods on the restoration. If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can reapply it for you. Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following your crown or bridge procedure. For the first few days, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages. It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water.  You can also take an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.   Permanent Crown/Bridge: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different.  This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition.  If it still feels off in a few days, please call the office for a slight adjustment.   Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration. WHITE FILLINGS (BONDING):   When you get a filling or a bonding done at the dentist is is usually best to avoid eating for about two hours until the numbness wears off. You could accidentally bite and damage soft tissue and cause bleeding and pain later on.   Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following treatment. For the first 48 to 72 hours, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and drinks. It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water.  You can also take an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists. If you have any severe swelling or pain in the area rinse with salt water and call the office as soon as possible. Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration and help to maintain your beautiful smile.   SCALING AND ROOT PLANING: After your scaling or root planning, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water.  One teaspoon salt / 8 oz. water.  You should start home care immediately, the affected area is very sensitive so be extremely careful. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue where you had treatment, an Advil or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this feeling.  The treated areas will probably be sensitive to hot and cold. It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy foods for the next few days while the treated area starts to heal. You may also experience some swelling or stiffness in your jaw area.  If this occurs, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness. Remember COLD for SWELLING and HOT for STIFFNESS Smoking, as we already know, is extremely bad for your smile and you. Do NOT smoke for at LEAST 72 hours following the scaling and root planing procedures. PORCELAIN VENEERS (LAMINATES):   When you get a filling or a bonding done at the dentist is is usually best to avoid eating for about two hours until the numbness wears off. You could accidentally bite and damage soft tissue and cause bleeding and pain later on. Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restorations.  Do not pull up on the temporary when flossing this area.  Make sure to brush this area gently and not to chew any hard foods on the restoration. If your temporary comes off between appointments, please call our office so that we can reapply it for you.   Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot and cold is to be expected following treatment. For the first few days, try to avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages It is normal to have discomfort in the gums around the tooth after the anesthesia wears off. If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue, rinse the area with warm salt water.  You can also take an Advil or Tylenol if the discomfort persists.   Permanent Veneers: When the final restoration is placed, your bite may feel a little different.  This is just your mouth adjusting to the new addition.  If it still feels off in a few days, please call the office for a slight adjustment.   Home Care: It is important to resume regular brushing and flossing immediately. It is very important to thoroughly clean the area between the veneer and the tooth at the gum line. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration. TOOTH EXTRACTIONS: Bleeding: It is very normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first day following your tooth extraction surgery.  If heavier bleeding occurs: Place a piece of gauze over the surgery location.  Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes.  DO NOT chew and keep an even pressure. If the bleeding continues, call the office Do not suck on area where surgery occurred or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours. Rinsing: Don t spit or rinse the surgical area on the day of the surgery.. The day after surgery you may gently rinse with warm salt water. You may brush your teeth and your tongue after the surgery. Be careful of the surgical site. Eating: You should start with liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery.  If the area feels a little better, you can then move on to a normal diet.  Be careful of chewing on hard foods near the surgical area. Pain & Swelling: It is normal to experience some degree of swelling. If you do experience swelling, you can place ice over your face for 20-30 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours.  This should help to reduce pain and swelling.  Do not ice after the first 36 hours. If you feel discomfort, it is recommended that you take an Advil or Tylenol to ease the pain.  If the pain persists, please contact the office.