Click here for a downloadable PDF with post-op instructions.

Post-Operative Instructions Following Dental Extractions

Following your dental extraction procedure, it is crucial to follow these post-operative instructions carefully. Proper care is essential for faster healing and to prevent complications like infection or a "dry socket."

Phase 1: The First 24 Hours (Crucial Healing Period)

The goal during the first day is to control bleeding and allow a stable blood clot to form in the extraction site.

• Gauze Pads: Keep biting down firmly on the gauze pads provided for 30–45 minutes immediately after leaving the office. Replace the gauze as needed until the bleeding slows to light pink spotting.

• Do Not Disturb the Clot: Avoid rinsing, spitting forcefully, drinking through a straw, or touching the wound site with your fingers or tongue. These actions can dislodge the blood clot.

• Activity: Avoid strenuous work, heavy lifting, or bending over for the next 24-48 hours. Keep your head elevated with pillows when resting.

• Bleeding: Slight bleeding or oozing (pink/red saliva) is normal for up to 24 hours. If heavy bleeding persists, bite firmly on a fresh gauze pad or a tea bag for 30 minutes and call our office.

Phase 2: Diet and Hydration

Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration to aid recovery.

• Eat Soft Foods: For the first few days, stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and soft pasta.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water.

• Avoid Straws: The sucking action creates pressure that can dislodge the blood clot.

• Avoid Hot/Spicy Foods: Avoid excessively hot liquids or spicy foods for the first 48 hours.

Phase 3: Oral Hygiene (Starting 24 Hours After Surgery)

• Do Not Brush the Site Immediately: Avoid brushing the extraction site directly on the day of surgery.

• Rinsing (Starting Day 2): Starting 24 hours after surgery, gently rinse your mouth every few hours (especially after meals) with warm saltwater. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Swish gently; do not spit forcefully.

• Resume Brushing: You may gently brush your other teeth, taking care to avoid the surgical area for a few days.

Phase 4: Pain Management and Medications

• Medication: Take prescribed pain medication as directed by your dentist. Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) may also be used as instructed.

• Swelling: Apply an ice pack to the cheek area adjacent to the extraction site for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling.

When to Call Us

Please contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Excessive bleeding that does not stop with pressure.

• Severe, throbbing pain that is not managed by medication (may indicate a dry socket).

• Fever, chills, or persistent swelling after 48 hours.

• Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the site.

If you have any questions at any point during your recovery, please do not hesitate to call our office at 951-685-3355. Wait and listen until the end of the message to connect to the emergency line.

Click here for a downloadable PDF with post-op instructions.

Congratulations on your All-on-X procedure! Following these instructions meticulously is vital for proper healing, the success of your implants, and the integration of your new teeth with the jawbone (osseointegration).

Immediate Post-Operative Care (First 24-48 Hours)

The primary goal is to control bleeding and minimize swelling.

• Rest: Rest at home and avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending over for the first 3-5 days. Keep your head elevated with extra pillows when resting to reduce swelling.

• Bleeding: Oozing or light pink-tinged saliva is normal for up to 24-48 hours. If heavy bleeding persists, apply firm, steady pressure with a fresh, damp gauze or tea bag for 30 minutes and contact our office.

• Swelling: Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face (15-20 minutes on, 15-20 minutes off) for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. After 48 hours, switch to moist heat to aid in resolution.

• Do Not Disturb the Site: Avoid touching or probing the surgical areas. DO NOT rinse vigorously, spit forcefully, or use a straw, as the suction can dislodge blood clots and cause a "dry socket" or bleeding.

Diet and Nutrition

Adhering to a strict diet is crucial to protect the implants during the initial 3-4 month healing period.

• No Chew/Pureed Diet (First 1-2 Weeks): Consume only cool liquids and pureed foods, such as smoothies (without a straw), protein shakes, yogurt, applesauce, and broth. Avoid hot liquids or spicy foods for the first 24 hours.

• Soft, Non-Chew Diet (Up to 3-4 Months): Gradually progress to a soft, non-chew diet after the first two weeks. This means anything you can cut easily with a plastic fork or pinch through with your fingers.

  • Acceptable Foods: Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, well-cooked pasta, baked fish, and soft cooked vegetables.

  • Foods to AVOID: Crunchy, hard, or chewy foods such as nuts, chips, popcorn, pretzels, raw vegetables, and tough meats, as these can damage your temporary bridge or compromise implant integration.

Oral Hygiene and Care

Maintaining a clean mouth is essential for healing and preventing infection.

• First 24 Hours: Do not rinse or brush your teeth on the day of surgery.

• Starting Day 2:

  • Rinsing: Begin gentle warm saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water) 2–3 times a day, especially after meals. Let the water drip out of your mouth into the sink without forceful spitting.

  • Brushing: Use a soft-bristled or surgical toothbrush to gently clean the temporary bridge and surrounding gum line. Brush other natural teeth normally, avoiding the surgical sites

• Medicated Rinse: If prescribed an antibacterial rinse (like Chlorhexidine), use it as directed (usually twice daily for 1-2 weeks).

• Long-Term Care: Once cleared by your doctor (typically after 6 weeks), using a Waterpik on a low setting is highly recommended for cleaning underneath the bridge.

Medications and Lifestyle

• Take All Medications: Take all prescribed medications (antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-nausea) exactly as directed to manage discomfort and prevent infection. Take pain medication with food to prevent nausea.

• No Smoking or Alcohol: Smoking severely compromises the healing process and significantly increases the risk of implant failure. Avoid smoking for as long as possible (ideally permanently). Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours as it can interfere with healing and medications.

• Follow-Up Appointments: Attend all scheduled post-operative checks. These appointments are crucial for monitoring your healing and making any necessary adjustments to your temporary bridge.

When to Contact Us Immediately

Call our office at 951-685-3355 if you experience any of the following:

• Excessive, uncontrolled bleeding.

• Severe or worsening pain that is not managed by prescribed medication.

• Fever above 101.5°F or signs of infection (pus, foul odor, excessive swelling).

• Loosening or damage to your temporary bridge/prosthesis.

Click here for a downloadable PDF with post-op instructions.

Pain Management: Mild post-operative discomfort is normal and can often be managed with natural comfort measures like skin-to-skin contact or age-appropriate pain relievers (like acetaminophen) as advised by a pediatrician.

Stretching Exercises: We recommend gentle stretching exercises for the affected area to prevent the tissue from reattaching and ensure proper function.

Collaborative Care: The procedure is often most successful when part of a holistic care plan involving other specialists like lactation consultants, physical therapists, or feeding therapists, to help the baby retrain their oral muscles. 

Stretching Exercises Instructions

After a Fotona frenectomy, specific stretching and massage exercises are crucial to prevent the wound from reattaching and to encourage proper muscle function. The type and frequency of exercises vary for infants and adults and are usually performed for at least three to four weeks, several times a day. 

• Frequency: Typically 4-6 times per day (roughly every 4-6 hours), for 3-4 weeks. It's recommended to perform them during a diaper change or a feeding break.

• Tongue Stretches (Forklift Stretch):

  • With clean hands, place both index fingers under the baby's tongue, on either side of the diamond-shaped wound.

  • Push down into the floor of the mouth, then lift the tongue up towards the roof of the mouth and slightly back towards the throat, unfolding the diamond.

  • Hold this stretched position for 2-5 seconds. The goal is to see the wound open up.

• Tongue Massage (C-Stretch/Sweeps):

  • Gently massage the diamond-shaped wound with a fingertip using an up-and-down or side-to-side (windshield wiper) motion to keep the tissue soft and prevent stiffening.

• Lip Stretches:

  • Place a clean finger under the upper lip and gently lift it up as high as it will go, toward the nose, until resistance is felt.

  • Gently sweep the finger from side to side along the gum line to ensure the raw surfaces don't stick together.

• Sucking Exercises: To improve suck quality, gently rub the baby's gum line to encourage side-to-side tongue movement, or allow the baby to suck on your finger and apply gentle resistance.

Always follow the specific instructions provided by your dental or medical professional. 

Click here for a downloadable PDF with post-op instructions.

The exercises may cause slight discomfort or minor spotting of blood, which is normal. Pain medication can be used as directed by your healthcare provider, and collaborating with a lactation consultant or orofacial myologist (OMT) is highly recommended for optimal results. 

After an adult lingual frenectomy, a combination of stretching and myofunctional exercises is essential to prevent reattachment of the frenulum and establish proper muscle function. These should be performed 3-4 times a day for several weeks. 

Immediate Post-Operative Stretches (First few days)

• Frequency: Typically 3-4 times daily for 10 seconds each, for about three weeks.

• Tongue Lift and Hold: With clean hands or gloves, place two fingers on the floor of the mouth on either side of the diamond-shaped wound. Push down and back, then lift the tongue towards the roof of the mouth, unfolding the diamond. Hold this stretched position for 2-5 seconds. You want to see the whole wound open up.

• Frenum Massage: Gently massage the surgical site itself using an upward and side-to-side motion to prevent the formation of stiff scar tissue.

• Avoid certain movements: In the first 5 days, you may be instructed to avoid sticking your tongue far out to minimize stress on the fresh wound if sutures were placed. 

Myofunctional Exercises (Starting around Day 5-7) 

Myofunctional therapy is a critical part of the recovery process to retrain the tongue muscles for optimal breathing, speaking, and swallowing. 

• Tongue to the Spot: Place the tip of your tongue on the "spot" (the incisive papilla, the small, bumpy area on the roof of the mouth just behind the front teeth). Push firmly and hold for 5-10 seconds. This is a foundational exercise for proper tongue posture.

• Wide Open Mouth Hold: Suction your tongue to the roof of your mouth and open your mouth as wide as possible while keeping the tongue suctioned to the palate. Hold for 5-10 seconds.

• Tongue Clicks: Make a loud clicking sound with your tongue against the roof of your mouth, ensuring the jaw doesn't move excessively. Repeat 10-30 times.

• "Around the World" Sweeps: With lips closed, move your tongue in a circle along the outside of your teeth. Perform this in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

• Gumball Pushes (Cheek Pushes): Push your tongue hard into the inside of your cheek, like a gumball, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

• Peanut Butter Scrapes: Open your mouth wide, place the tip of your tongue on the spot, and scrape backward along the hard palate as far as you can.

Important Considerations:

• Consult a professional: It is highly recommended to work with a speech-language pathologist or an orofacial myologist (OMT) to ensure exercises are done correctly and tailored to your specific needs.

• Consistency is key: Adherence to the exercise protocol for the full recommended duration (often 3 to 6 weeks) is essential to prevent the tissue from reattaching.

• Healing is normal: The wound site will appear as a white or yellow "scab" (granulation tissue); this is part of normal healing, not an infection.

• Discomfort: Minor bleeding or discomfort during stretches is normal, but speak with your doctor if you have concerns or experience steady bleeding.

Click here for a downloadable PDF with post-op instructions.

Root canal therapy is the process of removing infected or inflamed pulp from inside your tooth. While the hard work is done, proper aftercare is essential for a smooth recovery and the long-term success of your treated tooth.

Immediate Aftercare: Numbness and Eating

• Numbness: Your lip, teeth, and tongue may be numb for several hours after the appointment due to local anesthetic.

• Avoid Chewing:Do not eat anything substantial until the numbness has completely worn off. This prevents accidental biting of your cheek, tongue, or lip, which can cause significant injury.

• Soft Foods: Start with a soft diet when sensation returns.

Pain Management

It is normal to experience some tenderness, sensitivity, or mild pain for the first few days as your body heals. The gum tissues and bone around the tooth were manipulated during treatment.

• Over-the-Counter Relief: Most discomfort can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

• Prescription Medications: If a prescription was provided by your dentist, please take it exactly as directed.

• If Pain Worsens: If pain is severe, sharp, or increases several days after the procedure, please call our office immediately.

Protecting the Treated Tooth

The treated tooth is often more brittle and prone to fracture until the final restoration is placed.

• Temporary Filling: You likely have a temporary filling in place. This filling will seal the tooth but is not a permanent solution.

• Chewing Restrictions:Avoid chewing or biting directly on the treated tooth until it has received its final filling or crown from your general dentist.

• Final Restoration: It is critical that you return to your general dentist as soon as possible (usually within 2-4 weeks) for the permanent restoration (crown). Delaying this step significantly increases the risk of tooth fracture or reinfection.

Oral Hygiene

Maintain excellent hygiene to ensure the area heals properly.

• Brushing and Flossing: You can and should brush and floss normally around the treated tooth and temporary filling.

• Rinsing: Gentle warm saltwater rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 2-3 times a day can help soothe the gums.

When to Call Our Office

While complications are rare, please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Your temporary filling falls out completely or a large piece breaks off.

• You experience significant swelling inside or outside your mouth.

• Pain is unmanageable with prescribed medication or increases significantly.

• You notice an allergic reaction to medication (rash, itching, etc.).

• The tooth feels "high" when you bite down and you cannot close your mouth normally.

We are here to support your recovery. Please call us at 951-685-3355 with any questions or concerns.