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Comfort and care instructions

Post-operative care in Herriman

You just had dental work and want to heal well. Use this page as a quick guide for the next few days, and follow the instructions your dentist gives you.

Call (385) 481-6738Insurance and payment

What should I do after a dental procedure?

Follow the instructions your dentist gives you, since they are made for your exact treatment. In general, wait for numbness to wear off before eating, keep the area clean, rest and take pain relievers as your dentist directs. Call us if anything feels wrong or gets worse instead of better.

  • Some soreness and sensitivity is normal for a few days
  • Avoid chewing until numbness wears off
  • An uneven bite should be adjusted, so call us

Normal healing versus a reason to call

Some things are a normal part of healing:

  • Numb lips, cheek or tongue for a few hours
  • A sore jaw or sore spot where the shot was given
  • Mild sensitivity to hot, cold or biting
  • Light oozing, swelling or bruising after surgery

Call us if:

  • Bleeding is heavy or will not slow down with pressure
  • Pain, swelling or fever gets worse after the third day
  • Your bite feels high or uneven
  • A temporary crown or filling comes off
  • You have a rash, itching or other reaction to a medicine

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck.

Care by procedure

After a tooth removal

  • Bite gently on damp gauze to slow bleeding. Change it as it soaks through.
  • For the first day or two, do not use a straw, spit hard, rinse hard or smoke. These can loosen the blood clot and lead to a painful dry socket.
  • Use an ice pack on your cheek, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first day.
  • Eat soft foods and drink plenty of water.
  • After the first day, rinse gently with warm salt water a few times a day.
  • Rest and skip hard exercise for a couple of days.

More on tooth removal: extractions and wisdom tooth removal.

After implant surgery or bone grafting

  • Follow the same bleeding, ice and food tips as a tooth removal.
  • Do not press on the area with your tongue or fingers.
  • Sleep with your head raised to help with swelling.
  • Brush other teeth gently and avoid the surgery site until your dentist says it is fine.

After a root canal

  • The tooth may feel tender when you bite for a few days.
  • Chew on the other side until your final crown or filling is placed. A treated tooth can break more easily until then.
  • Keep the visit for your final restoration. See root canal treatment.

After fillings, crowns or bridges

  • Wait for numbness to wear off before you eat or drink hot drinks.
  • Some sensitivity to cold or pressure is common and can last a few weeks.
  • With a temporary crown, avoid sticky and hard foods, and slide floss out to the side instead of pulling it up.
  • If your bite feels high, call us. It will not fix itself, and a quick adjustment can help.

After a deep gum cleaning

  • Gums may be sore and teeth sensitive for a few days.
  • Rinse with warm salt water and keep brushing gently.

Comfort tips for any procedure

  • Take pain relievers as your dentist directs. Take any prescribed medicine exactly as written, and finish antibiotics if they are prescribed.
  • Do not take pain medicine on an empty stomach.
  • Use ice for swelling in the first day. After that, a warm damp cloth can ease a stiff jaw.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and choose soft, healthy foods.
  • Get extra rest and keep your head raised the first night after surgery.

If you had sedation, see the tips on our sedation dentistry page. If you have questions about your recovery, call us.

Cost and insurance

Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.

See insurance and payment options

FAQ

Questions about post-operative care

What should I avoid eating after dental work?
Skip hard, crunchy, sticky, spicy and very hot foods for a few days. After surgery, also avoid small seeds and chips that can get stuck in the site.
How can I lower my risk of infection after surgery?
Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and salt water rinses once the first day has passed. Do not smoke. Take any prescribed medicine as directed and keep your follow-up visit.
How long does healing take?
Soreness after fillings and crowns often fades in a few days. A tooth removal site often feels much better in about a week, but the bone takes longer to fully heal. Your dentist will tell you what to expect for your procedure.
What is dry socket?
Dry socket happens when the blood clot in a tooth removal site comes loose too soon. It can cause strong pain a few days after surgery. Call us if your pain gets worse instead of better.

Related care

You may also want to know about

Tooth Extractions

Careful removal of a tooth that cannot be saved, plus a plan to replace it if you want one.

About tooth extractions

Questions?

Call to book your visit

Our Herriman team will answer your questions and find a time that works for you.

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