Day of surgery

• Keep the compresses in your mouth for 15 minutes applying light but constant pressure. Then remove the compress, sit down, relax and stay still for 1 hour.
• Apply ice on your cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes every hour)
• It is normal to notice light bleeding during the day of the procedure. If, and only if, bleeding is profuse, place a moist tea bag on the site and apply light and constant pressure for 20 minutes

Don’ts

• Don’t rinse your mouth or spit.
• Don’t drink through a straw.
• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t consume hot foods or beverages. Eat cold, soft foods.
• Don’t engage in intense activity for two days following the procedure..

Pain

• For pain relief in the first 24 to 72 hours, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, Atasol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or the medication you were prescribed. Don’t take aspirin.

The day after the procedure until healing is complete

• Rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).
• There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days.
• You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should subside in four to five days.
• If the pain increases after three days, call our office.

After a tooth extraction:

It is important to follow the instructions below to speed healing. Note that some discomfort and swelling are normal after surgery.

• Keep the compresses in your mouth for 15 minutes applying light but constant pressure. Then remove the compress, sit down, relax and stay still for 1 hour.
• Keep your head elevated at all times.
• Apply ice on your cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes every hour)
• If bleeding occurs, bite down on a gauze pad or lightly moistened tea bag for 20 minutes.
• Slight bleeding and coloured saliva are normal postoperative effects.
• Limit your physical activity. Rest.

Don’ts

• Don’t dislodge the blood clot that has formed as it helps with the healing process.
• Don’t eat anything before the bleeding stops.
• Don’t drink through a straw.
• Don’t rinse your mouth or spit.
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
• Don’t eat hard foods.
• Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.

Pain

• In case of pain, take the medication you were prescribed.
• If you were prescribed antibiotics for this treatment, continue to take them for the specified time period even if the symptoms subside.

Food

• Eat only soft cold soft foods and cold liquids the day of the extraction. Resume your normal eating habits as soon as you are able.

The day after the procedure until healing is complete

• Rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).
• Brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque and ensure the best long-term results. Don’t brush near the area of the extracted tooth for the first 72 hours.
• Avoid hard foods (nuts, candy, ice).
• You may have trouble speaking and produce extra saliva. This should subside in a week.
• There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days.
• You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should subside in four to five days.
• If the pain increases after three days, call our office.

You will feel better after a few days and can resume your normal activities. If you experience heavy bleeding, pain, continued swelling for two to three days or a negative reaction to the medication, call us at 613.632.4159.

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After a crown or bridge installation (except for one visit CEREC crowns):

It is important to follow the instructions below to speed healing. Note that some discomfort and swelling are normal after surgery. Bridges and some crown cases take two appointments or more to complete. During the first appointment, we take impressions of the teeth that are to be replaced. Then temporary crowns or bridges are installed to protect your teeth during the fabrication of your permanent restoration. Day of surgery

• You may have a slight fever.
• Take the medication prescribed or recommended by your dentist, as needed.

Don’ts

• Don’t consume hot beverages when you are frozen.
• Don’t eat hard or sticky foods (candy, chewing gum).

Food

• Try to eat on the opposite side.

The day after until healing is complete

• Brush your teeth normally, but floss carefully to avoid dislodging the temporary crown.
• If a temporary crown comes off, you will have to come back in so we can re-cement it. This is important as it will prevent other teeth from moving and compromising the fit of your final restoration.

If you experience pain or have trouble closing your mouth, or if you have any questions, call us at 613.632.4159. Back to top