Post Procedure Dental Care Instructions
It is critical for patients to understand how to care for their teeth after a procedure for the safest, most effective results. That’s why our staff at Williams & Daily has compiled this list of baseline post-procedure instructions to help you know what to expect, which foods to eat, etc. Click any of our services below to learn what to do after your procedure!
Questions?
Our Raleigh dental staff is here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you’re a recent patient or have general questions about your personal dental health, Williams & Daily has the experience and knowledge to help! Contact us today!
Composite Fillings
Follow these simple tips and tricks after your composite filling.
General measures:
- Feel free to eat and drink normally as soon as the appointment is over
- Brush and floss your filled tooth the same as you would a normal tooth
- Expect sensitivity to cold and biting pressure, especially in the first few weeks
- Seek regular check ups so the doctor can check the status of your filling
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- You have spontaneous pain that lingers for over 30 minutes
- It feels as if you are hitting the filling first when you bite down
Crowns
Crowns and veneers are convenient ways to restore a malfunctioning tooth. Here’s how to get the most out of your restored tooth.
General measures:
- Do not bite on your new crown for at least an hour after it has been set to let the cement harden
- Brush and floss the crown just like your natural teeth
- Expect sensitivity to foods and liquids, perhaps even for several weeks
- Avoid sticky sweets like taffy, as they may be strong enough to pull the crown off
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- The crown becomes loose or moves when you bite
- The tooth is sensitive to pressure three days after it is cemented
- Gums become swollen around the new cap
Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy
Tooth infections are often treated with root canal therapy to control the infection and allow healing. This treatment will save your tooth and avoid the harmful effects of tooth loss. There are, however, critical post-procedure instructions that all patients should follow.
General measures:
- Avoid heavy biting between procedure appointments
- Brush and clean your mouth daily
- Medications: If prescribed an antibiotic during treatment, take the medication exactly as directed on the prescription
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- There is swelling in the gum around the tooth
- Your body temperature rises above 101 Fahrenheit
- The tooth becomes loose
- You are in so much pain that Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuproufen do not help
Routine Dental Extraction
When a tooth is no longer supported by the surrounding tissue, or when it is severely damaged or infected beyond repair, your Raleigh dentist may suggest a dental extraction. Though a routine procedure, there are many patient guidelines to be aware of.
General measures:
- Keep mouth closed firmly to maintain the gauze sponge in place to prevent bleeding
- Leave gauze sponges in place for three to four hours, changing them every 30 minutes
- Do not spit
- Apply an ice pack for ten minutes at a time to the cheek where the tooth was extracted from
- DO NOT suck on cigarettes, cigars, pipes or straws for the next 24 hours
- After 24 hours, use a warm salt water mouth rinse to soothe discomfort and to prevent accumulation of food particles. Rinse gently. (1 tsp of table salt in a glass of warm water)
- Diet: Follow a soft or liquid diet for 24 hours or more. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages
- Medications: You may take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibproufen
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- Heavy bleeding develops
- Socket bleeding occurs after 18 hours
- You experience severe nagging or “gnawing” pain after 24 hours
- Your oral temperature is greater than 101 Fahrenheit
Traumatic Dental Injury
When a person is hit in the face, the upper front teeth and/or the nose are usually the first structures to be injured. In the event of such an accident, get to your Raleigh dentist and follow these important instructions.
General measures:
- Apply ice packs close to the injured area in 10-20 minute increments for 24 hours
- Do not rinse your month for 24 hours
- Do not place biting pressure on the injured area for several days
- Diet: Follow a soft or liquid diet for 24 hours or more. Gradually work back to your normal diet
- Medication: Take any prescribed medicines according to the instructions on the prescription
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- There is swelling around any of the treated teeth
- You experience sharp pain more than three days after the accident
Composite Fillings
Follow these simple tips and tricks after your composite filling.
General measures:
- Feel free to eat and drink normally as soon as the appointment is over
- Brush and floss your filled tooth the same as you would a normal tooth
- Expect sensitivity to cold and biting pressure, especially in the first few weeks
- Seek regular check ups so the doctor can check the status of your filling
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- You have spontaneous pain that lingers for over 30 minutes
- It feels as if you are hitting the filling first when you bite down
Crowns
Crowns and veneers are convenient ways to restore a malfunctioning tooth. Here’s how to get the most out of your restored tooth.
General measures:- Do not bite on your new crown for at least an hour after it has been set to let the cement harden
- Brush and floss the crown just like your natural teeth
- Expect sensitivity to foods and liquids, perhaps even for several weeks
- Avoid sticky sweets like taffy, as they may be strong enough to pull the crown off
- The crown becomes loose or moves when you bite
- The tooth is sensitive to pressure three days after it is cemented
- Gums become swollen around the new cap
Endodontic (Root Canal) Therapy
Tooth infections are often treated with root canal therapy to control the infection and allow healing. This treatment will save your tooth and avoid the harmful effects of tooth loss. There are, however, critical post-procedure instructions that all patients should follow.
General measures:
- Avoid heavy biting between procedure appointments
- Brush and clean your mouth daily
- Medications: If prescribed an antibiotic during treatment, take the medication exactly as directed on the prescription
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- There is swelling in the gum around the tooth
- Your body temperature rises above 101 Fahrenheit
- The tooth becomes loose
- You are in so much pain that Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuproufen do not help
Routine Dental Extraction
When a tooth is no longer supported by the surrounding tissue, or when it is severely damaged or infected beyond repair, your Raleigh dentist may suggest a dental extraction. Though a routine procedure, there are many patient guidelines to be aware of.
General measures:
- Keep mouth closed firmly to maintain the gauze sponge in place to prevent bleeding
- Leave gauze sponges in place for three to four hours, changing them every 30 minutes
- Do not spit
- Apply an ice pack for ten minutes at a time to the cheek where the tooth was extracted from
- DO NOT suck on cigarettes, cigars, pipes or straws for the next 24 hours
- After 24 hours, use a warm salt water mouth rinse to soothe discomfort and to prevent accumulation of food particles. Rinse gently. (1 tsp of table salt in a glass of warm water)
- Diet: Follow a soft or liquid diet for 24 hours or more. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages
- Medications: You may take Aspirin, Tylenol or Ibproufen
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- Heavy bleeding develops
- Socket bleeding occurs after 18 hours
- You experience severe nagging or “gnawing” pain after 24 hours
- Your oral temperature is greater than 101 Fahrenheit
Traumatic Dental Injury
When a person is hit in the face, the upper front teeth and/or the nose are usually the first structures to be injured. In the event of such an accident, get to your Raleigh dentist and follow these important instructions.
General measures:
- Apply ice packs close to the injured area in 10-20 minute increments for 24 hours
- Do not rinse your month for 24 hours
- Do not place biting pressure on the injured area for several days
- Diet: Follow a soft or liquid diet for 24 hours or more. Gradually work back to your normal diet
- Medication: Take any prescribed medicines according to the instructions on the prescription
Notify your Williams & Daily dentist if:
- There is swelling around any of the treated teeth
- You experience sharp pain more than three days after the accident
"I have been a patient of both Dr. Craig and Dr. Daily. I find them to be professional, highly knowledgeable and a all around pleasure to visit with. From the front desk to the clinical staff, they are all amazing. If you need an implant , a crown or a cleaning this is the place to come to."
March, 2015 Diana. G
"Moments after leaving your office I couldn't even discern which teeth were crowned! It's unusual to look forward to dental work but each visit I'm awestruck with your staffs friendliness and your state of the art technology. There's good reason our family has been using your outstanding services for three decades!"
March, 2015 Diana. G