What to do after treatment. These are general guidelines — instructions given to you specifically by your dentist always take precedence.
After an extraction or implant surgery
- Bite firmly on the gauze for the time you were told. Replace it if bleeding continues
- Do not rinse, spit forcefully, use a straw or smoke for the first 24 hours. The suction dislodges the clot, and losing the clot is what causes dry socket
- Ice the outside of the face in intervals for the first day to limit swelling
- Soft foods, and keep to the side away from the surgical site
- From the day after, rinse gently with warm salt water several times a day
- Take prescribed medication as directed, and finish any antibiotic course
- Rest. Strenuous activity increases bleeding
After a filling or a same-day crown
If you were numbed, avoid chewing until sensation returns fully — biting a numb lip or cheek is the most common post-appointment injury. Some sensitivity to temperature and pressure for a few days is normal. A bite that feels high or uneven once the numbness wears off is not; call us for a quick adjustment.
After scaling and root planing (deep cleaning)
Tenderness and some sensitivity for several days is expected as the gums heal. Warm salt water rinses help. Keep brushing and flossing the area gently — the natural instinct to avoid it is exactly wrong.
When should I call the office?
Call us if you have bleeding that will not stop, swelling that worsens after the third day rather than improving, fever, pain that increases rather than decreases over time, a reaction to medication, or a bite that feels wrong after numbness has fully worn off.
Eastchester (914) 268-0020 · Bronx (718) 597-6500
If something does not seem right, contact the office. Related: implant treatment and periodontal care.