When you receive a treatment from Flores Dental Care, we want to ensure that you remain comfortable and safe both during and after your procedure. Dr. Sylvia Ramirez Flores has provided this page of post-op instructions in Mission, Texas, to help you know what to expect for your treatment recovery before the procedure is actually performed. We invite you to review these instructions and contact us with any questions you may have, and to schedule your appointment with our dentist. Se habla español.
Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal, you can expect to experience some degree of soreness for a few days. Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the procedure was performed, as this will prevent irritation and ensure that your temporary restoration remains in place. You may also be required to take antibiotics to fight off any remaining infection within your tooth. If you notice increasing pain or sensitivity, a reaction to the medication, or if your temporary filling becomes loose, please contact us right away.
Crowns and Bridges
In these procedures, patients will receive a temporary restoration while waiting for the permanent one. Because these temporary restorations are not as sturdy as the permanent ones, it is important that you are careful and gentle while eating and brushing. When flossing, do not pull up on the tooth, as this may cause the temporary restoration to become dislodged. Also, avoid sticky or chewy foods.
Once the permanent restoration is in place, you may experience some sensitivity or irritation. This is normal, and it will subside after a few days when you gum tissue can heal. To help ease the soreness, you can rise with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Permanent crowns and bridges may take a few days to get used to. Your mouth will adjust to your new tooth; in just a week, your restoration will feel like a natural tooth. If your bite feels misaligned or abnormal, talk to your dentist. To care for your new tooth, continue regular brushing, flossing, and hygiene habits as normal.
White Fillings (Bonding)
White fillings require only a small amount of anesthesia for the procedure. This will make part or all of your mouth numb. Once the anesthesia wears off, your teeth may be a little more sensitive than normal. To avoid sensitivity pain, avoid foods with extreme hot and cold temperatures. Once your teeth have returned to normal after a few days, continue your dental hygiene habits as normal.
Scaling and Root Planing
Because this procedure involves cleaning bacteria out of your gums, you may experience some soreness or irritation in your gums for a few days. To help ease the discomfort, rinse with warm salt water 2 to 3 times a day. Continue brushing and flossing the same day as your procedure; however, be sure to brush and floss gently to avoid further irritation. If you experience swelling or stiffness, you can take over-the-counter pain medication and place a cold compress over the affected area. You should avoid any hard or chewy foods for a few days after your procedure. If you experience increasing pain, or if the pain does not subside after a few days, please contact our office.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are custom made, so before you receive your permanent veneers, you will have temporary ones. These temporary veneers are not as sturdy as your permanent ones, so be sure to brush and eat with care. When flossing, do not pull on the tooth, as your temporary restoration may become dislodged. Avoiding sticky or chewy foods will also help keep your restoration in place.
In some cases, you may experience tooth sensitivity, but it should pass after a few days. To help ease the sensitivity, rinse with warm salt water or take over-the-counter pain relievers. Your new veneers may feel a little awkward at first, but after a few days, they should feel just like your natural teeth. If you feel that your bite is misaligned in any way, contact our dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are a form of oral surgery, and you will need to rest once the procedure is complete. Because the procedure uses anesthesia, you will need to be driven home by a friend or family member. Typically, you will experience some bleeding at the extraction site, but applying gauze will help. Be sure to change your gauze when it becomes soaked. If you are still bleeding after 24 hours, contact our dentist right away.
When you return home after your extraction, do not lie on your back, as this could prevent clotting and prolong your bleeding. Instead, use a pillow to prop your head up while lying down. Our dentist will prescribe pain medication that you should take as directed. Ice packs can also be applied to help ease the pain.
After your surgery, you will be limited to eating only soft foods. Some of these foods include:
- Gelatin
- Pudding
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Ice cream
- Thin soups
- Any food you can eat without chewing
When you are drinking, do not use a straw, as the sucking motion can slow down the clotting process. This is also the same with smoking. If you experience any prolonged bleeding, pain, or irritation, or if it seems that the extraction site is not healing, contact our dentist right away.
