Post-Operative Care Instructions

It's normal to experience numbness in your lips and tongue for several hours following a filling. During this time:

• Avoid chewing food until you can feel your tongue and lips normally.
• Avoid drinking hot beverages to prevent accidental burns.
• Be careful not to bite your cheek, lip, or tongue while numb.

Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is common for a few days after treatment as the tooth settles.

If the discomfort worsens or lasts longer than expected, please contact our office so we can assess the situation.

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After your initial crown appointment, a temporary crown protects your tooth while the permanent one is being made.

• Avoid sticky foods (gum, caramel, chewy candy) and chew on the opposite side if possible.
• When flossing, gently pull the floss through the side rather than snapping it upward to avoid dislodging the temporary.

Some numbness, mild bruising, or jaw stiffness is normal and should resolve within a few days.

You can apply ice packs to relieve any soreness or discomfort.

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• Keep your dentures in for the first 24 hours (including overnight) to control bleeding and swelling.
• Starting the next day, remove dentures gently twice daily to rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp salt per glass).
• Clean dentures with toothpaste or a denture cleanser, then rinse with water.
• Always reinsert dentures immediately after cleaning to prevent difficulty caused by swelling.
• Sleep with your dentures for 3–5 days after surgery.

• Bleeding: Minor bleeding may last 2–3 days. Bite gently on your dentures to support clotting. If bleeding becomes heavy, bite on folded gauze for 1–2 hours.
• Swelling: Swelling usually peaks around day 2 or 3. Apply ice packs to your face for the first 1–2 days and keep your head elevated while sleeping.
• Bruising: Temporary discoloration around the eyes, face, or neck is common and will resolve on its own.
• Sore Throat: A mild sore throat is normal and typically subsides within 2–3 days.
• Lip Dryness: Apply Vaseline® to keep lips moisturized and prevent cracking at the corners of your mouth.

Stick to liquids and soft foods on the day of surgery. Continue with soft, nutritious meals and plenty of fluids during the first week.

Nausea: Sip carbonated beverages, mild tea, or clear soups. Toast or crackers may help settle your stomach. Over-the-counter Dramamine® may help. Call us if nausea continues.

Take all medications exactly as prescribed.

• Rest is important. Avoid strenuous activity, sports, or exercise for 2–3 days.
• Smoking: Avoid smoking for at least 3 days after surgery, as it may delay healing.

Attend all scheduled post-op visits. You may experience sore spots, increased saliva, speech changes, gagging, or swallowing difficulty in the first few days — these usually improve and may require denture adjustments 1–5 days after surgery.

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Slight bleeding or pink saliva is normal. To control bleeding:

• Bite firmly on gauze for 60 minutes. Repeat if needed.
• If bleeding persists, bite on a damp tea bag for 60 minutes.
• Avoid spitting, smoking, or using a straw for 24 hours to protect the clot.

Swelling and bruising may increase over the first 2–3 days. This is expected.

• Use ice packs (15 min on / 15 min off) during the first 24 hours.
• After 72 hours, switch to moist heat if needed.
• Keep your head elevated while resting to help reduce swelling.

Stick to soft, lukewarm or cool foods on the day of surgery. Avoid hot items until numbness wears off. Gradually reintroduce solid foods over several days as tolerated.

• Begin brushing gently the day after surgery, avoiding the surgical site.
• Use your prescribed Peridex mouth rinse after meals for 10 days. Mix ½ cap with ½ cap water, rinse for 30 seconds, and spit gently.
• Brush 2–3 times daily to reduce bacterial load and support healing.

Sutures: Stitches may dissolve on their own. If one becomes loose, you may remove it gently — this is not a concern unless accompanied by pain or swelling.

• Antibiotics: Take as prescribed to prevent infection. Complete the full course.
• Peridex Rinse: Begin the day after surgery. Mix ½ cap with ½ cap water, rinse for 30 seconds, and spit gently.
• Pain Medication: Use as directed. Avoid driving while taking prescription-strength pain relievers.
• Medrol Dose Pack (if prescribed): Take all 6 tablets on the first day, then follow tapering instructions for days 2–6.
• Dexamethasone (if prescribed): Take 7 tablets on surgery day, then reduce by 1 each day until finished (7, 6, 5, etc.).

Rest is important. Avoid strenuous activity, exercise, or heavy lifting for 2–3 days. Resume normal activities gradually.

Numbness: Some patients experience temporary numbness in the lower lip or tongue after lower implant placement. This typically resolves with healing. Contact us if it persists.

A follow-up visit may be scheduled within a week to 3 months depending on your case. Please attend as advised so we can monitor healing.

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• Wear your aligners for 22 hours per day. Only remove them for eating and brushing.
• If you miss more than 2 hours in one day, wear the current tray for an extra full day to stay on track.
• Do not eat with your aligners in. Remove them before all meals and snacks.
• You may only drink water while wearing aligners. Avoid hot liquids (they can warp trays) and sugary or acidic drinks (can cause cavities).
• Brush and floss your teeth before reinserting your aligners after eating or drinking.

• Brush your aligners daily with water and a soft toothbrush to remove buildup.
• Soak in retainer cleaner for 15–30 minutes a few times a week if needed.

• Always store your aligners in the provided Invisalign case when not in use.
• Do not wrap them in a napkin — they are easily lost or accidentally thrown away.
• Keep aligners away from pets — dogs and cats often chew on them!
• Store future aligners in a cool, dry place. When advancing trays, clean and save the previous set in case of emergency.

• Use your fingers to insert aligners starting at the front teeth. To remove, begin at the back molars.
• Your aligners should fit snugly and completely over your teeth.
• If they don't seat fully, try biting gently on a toothbrush handle, or return to the previous tray for 1–2 days.
• If they still don't fit properly, contact our office to ensure your teeth are tracking as planned.
• Small tooth-colored "attachments" may be placed on your teeth to aid movement. If one falls off, it can be replaced at your next appointment — let us know in advance.

It's normal to feel soreness when starting a new tray — especially the first few sets.

• Take Tylenol (500–1000mg every 6 hours as needed) for discomfort.
• Avoid ibuprofen or NSAIDs — they may interfere with the inflammatory process critical to tooth movement.

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