General (all procedures)
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Rest the day of treatment; keep your head elevated when resting.
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Expect mild oozing and swelling. Ice the cheek 20 minutes on / 20 minutes off for the first 24–48 hours.
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Eat soft, cool foods today; avoid hot liquids and alcohol for 24 hours. Hydrate well.
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Do not smoke or vape for at least 72 hours (longer is better)—it delays healing and raises dry-socket risk. Avoid straws and forceful spitting for 3 days.
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Pain control (adults without contraindications): the ADA-preferred first line is ibuprofen 400–600 mg + acetaminophen 500 mg together every 6 hours for 24 hours, then as needed. Do not exceed 3,000 mg/day of acetaminophen from all sources. If you cannot take NSAIDs, use acetaminophen alone within these limits. (Follow your provider’s directions if they differ.)
Local anesthesia
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You’ll be numb 1–3 hours. Don’t chew or drink hot beverages until sensation returns—easy to bite your cheek/lip or burn your mouth.
Sedation
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If you had IV/oral sedation or general anesthesia: no driving, machinery, alcohol, or critical decisions for 24 hours and have an adult with you.
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If you had nitrous oxide only: most patients are safe to drive once fully recovered in the office; follow your provider’s advice.
After an Extraction (including wisdom teeth)
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Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–60 minutes; replace as needed until oozing slows. A tea bag (moistened) can help if minor bleeding recurs. Normal oozing can last 24–48 hours.
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Do not rinse, spit forcefully, use a straw, or smoke for the first 3 days—this helps prevent dry socket. Start gentle warm salt-water rinses (½ tsp salt in 8 oz water) the day after surgery, 3–4×/day for a week.
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Swelling/bruising peaks at 48–72 hours, then improves. Continue ice first 24–48 h; switch to warm compresses after that if needed.
Dental Implants / Bone Grafts (including sinus lifts)
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Do not disturb the site or rinse the first day. From day 1, use any prescribed chlorhexidine (Peridex) as directed; be gentle and avoid forceful spitting. Keep visible healing caps clean with a soft brush or Q-tip.
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No pressure changes for sinus-related grafts: don’t blow your nose, sneeze with your mouth open, no straws, avoid smoking/vaping.
Root Canal Therapy
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Expect mild tenderness to biting for a few days; avoid chewing on that tooth for 24–48 hours (and until any permanent crown is placed). A crown is often recommended on molars to prevent fracture.
Fillings (tooth-colored/composite)
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Sensitivity to cold, sweet, or pressure for a few days to a couple of weeks can be normal—especially with deeper fillings. If your bite feels high, call for a quick adjustment. You may chew on the tooth once the numbness wears off.
Crowns/Bridges & Temporaries
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Temporary crowns/bridges: avoid sticky or hard foods and chew on the other side; floss by sliding the floss out sideways (don’t pop it back up). If a temporary comes off, keep it and call us.
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Permanent cementation: wait about 1 hour before eating; avoid sticky/hard foods for 24 hours while the cement fully sets. If the bite feels off after a day or two, call us.
Oral Hygiene
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Brush normally except right on surgical sites for the first day; then resume gently. Begin salt-water rinses the day after surgery (see above). If prescribed, use chlorhexidine as directed.
Activity
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Avoid strenuous exercise for 48–72 hours (it can trigger bleeding and swelling). Gradually resume as you feel able.
When to Call
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Uncontrolled bleeding after firm pressure 2–3 cycles, worsening swelling after day 3, fever >101°F after 24 hours, rash/hives, foul taste with increasing pain, or trouble swallowing/breathing—contact the office or seek urgent care/911.
These are general guidelines—not medical advice for your specific case. Always follow the instructions your dentist or surgeon provided at your visit.