Post Operative Instructions Made Easy
The main goal in the first few days after treatment is to manage any discomfort, protect the treated tooth, and support healing.
After your procedure
Below are typical experiences after endodontic treatment.
Common Symptoms
You will likely experience one or more of the following symptoms
- tenderness
- soreness
- minor pain
- swelling
- bruising
- limitation in opening or closing your mouth
- pain in the jaw or ear
- sore throat
Discomfort
It is normal for your tooth and the area around it to feel sore once the numbing wears off.
You may also notice some sensitivity when chewing or biting for a few days and sometimes weeks, but this should gradually improve within a few days.
What to avoid
Avoid smoking and alcohol for at least 3 days after your procedure, as they can slow healing.
COMMON ISSUES
What to avoid
When recovering from treatment, it’s important to avoid certain actions and habits that could interfere with healing or compromise the treated tooth.
- Strenuous activity for first 24 hours
- Smoking and alcohol for 3 days after treatment
- Nuts, seeds and any hard or crunchy foods until area is healed
Questions about Home Care
From post-extraction care to recovery after a root canal or apicoectomy, we’ve gathered answers to the questions patients ask most.
- Rinse with Peridex three times a day as directed to help healing.
- Start brushing the area gently with the provided toothbrush on the third day after surgery.
- DO NOT FLOSS near the sutures until they have been removed.
After surgery some oozing of blood, swelling, or facial bruising is normal and should resolve in a few days or up to a week.
Day 3 you may experience peak swelling which is considered normal.
- To help reduce swelling, use an ice pack on your face over the surgery area.
- Take 600-800mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed or alternate with your prescription pain medicine if directed.
If prescribed a Medrol Dosepak which is a short course of steroid that helps reduce inflammation and swelling, which can ease pain and promote comfortable healing after an apicoectomy.
Take pills with food each morning as follows:
- Day 1 take 6 pills
- Day 2 take 5 pills
- Day 3 take 4 pills
- Day 4 take 3 pills
- Day 5 take 2 pills
- Day 6 take 1 pill
If the directions on your prescription bottle differ, please follow the instructions provided above instead.
NOT FEELING WELL
call if any of the following occurs
1
Fever
A fever of 101 or more persists.
2
Itching, rashes, hives
Possible allergic reaction to medication or materials. This needs prompt evaluation by our team.
3
Jaw, ear pain and swelling
If you have had an extraction and the pain continues after 48 hours without relief from medication, it may be due to a dry socket, which most commonly occurs between days 3 and 5 after the procedure.
4
Nausea and vomiting
This may indicate an infection or reaction to medications, and prompt care is needed.