Dentist in Honolulu HI Provides Important Post-Op Instructions after Your Dental Procedure
Below are instructions on how to care for your mouth after procedures are completed by Dr. Rosala.
It is important to keep in mind that these are general instructions. If you are having symptoms that are not listed or having a dental emergency, contact the office or Dr. Rosala directly.
Office Phone: (808) 988-3500
Cell Phone: (808) 366-9607
Extractions and Surgeries
Bleeding
It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery.
If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:
- Place a piece of gauze over the surgery site.
- Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 1 hour. DO NOT chew on it.
- If the bleeding continues, call the office or my cell (808) 366-9607.
- Do not suck on the area where surgery occurred or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours.
Rinsing
- Do not rinse your mouth forcefully during the first 48 hours.
- You may brush your teeth and your tongue after the surgery. Be careful of the surgical site.
- The few days right after surgery you may gently rinse with Peridex or other disinfectant rinses if prescribed and advised by your doctor.
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.
- Avoid Dairy products (like Milk and Yogurt), Alcohol, everything which contains Caffeine (Tea, Coffee, Soda) and do not smoke for the first 3 days after the surgery.
Pain & Swelling
It is normal to experience some degree of swelling.
If you do experience swelling:
- You can place ice, or better, an ice gel-pack over your face in the surgical site area for 20-30 minutes. Have a break for 30 minutes and then cool again 20-30 minutes. Do not cool excessive, just as much as it feels comfortable. Repeat the procedure if necessary 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 or you have a bad breath or taste in your mouth, please contact the office.
Root Canal Therapy
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 2 hours and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue. This will also allow the temporary restorative material to harden.
You will most likely feel soreness in the area as well as pressure when you bite down. For this reason, you should avoid hard and chewy foods. Do not eat on the treated side of your mouth for at least 24 hours. The soreness should decrease within a week.
Take any antibiotic medication prescribed to you by the doctor as this will eliminate any remaining infection in the tooth.
If you notice any of the following symptoms 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 & Bridges
It is best to refrain from eating for at least 1 hour and until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue.
Temporary: Please be careful when cleaning around the temporary restoration. 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 immediately 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 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.
It is best to refrain from eating until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue.
Scaling & Root Planing
After your scaling or root planning, it is best to rinse your mouth with Peridex 3 times per day (as prescribed) or with Listerine (available over the counter) Alternative you can rinse also with warm salt water. You should start home care immediately, although you should be extremely gentle with the treated areas.
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 48-72 hours while the treated area begins to heal.
You may also experience some swelling or jaw stiffness. If this does occur, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness.
Smoking should be terminated for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Please contact the office if the pain or swelling persists.
Porcelain Veneers
It is best to refrain from eating until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possibly injury to your soft tissue.
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 immediately 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 gumline. A consistent daily home care routine will increase the longevity of the restoration.
