Aftercare Instructions

Caring for Your Smile After Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that helps remove tartar and bacteria from below the gum line, reducing inflammation and infection while making it easier to keep your gums healthy with daily brushing and flossing.

For the first 24 hours, you may notice some sensitivity to hot and cold, which is completely normal. Be sure to wait until any numbness from anesthesia wears off before eating, and avoid hot, spicy foods and vigorous exercise during this time. For the next 48 hours, steer clear of alcohol and smoking to support healing. Some light bleeding is normal after a deep cleaning, but if it seems excessive, give us a call.

If you feel any discomfort, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help—just follow the dosage instructions on the label or those provided by your doctor. A warm salt water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) three times a day can also be soothing. When brushing and flossing, be extra gentle at first, and return to your normal routine once any soreness has subsided.

Be sure to follow any additional instructions we provided during your visit, and take any prescribed medications as directed. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!

Taking Care After Treatment

If you’ve had anesthesia, wait until the numbness wears off before eating or chewing to avoid accidentally biting your cheek, tongue, or lips. If you’re caring for a child after treatment, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t chew while numb, as this can cause irritation or injury to their soft tissue.

For the first 24 hours, try to avoid sticky, crunchy, or hard foods to give your mouth time to heal. Some sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as mild soreness, is normal and should go away in a few days.

If you’re still feeling discomfort after a few days, give us a call—we’re happy to help!

Keeping Your Smile Bright After Whitening

For the first 48 hours after your whitening treatment, your teeth are more prone to staining—so it’s best to steer clear of foods and drinks that can leave behind unwanted color. A good rule of thumb: if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth!

Try to avoid things like berries, dark sodas, red wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, and sauces like ketchup or soy sauce.

If you’re using custom trays at home, follow the instructions we provided. Apply the bleaching gel in the center of each tooth slot so it evenly coats the front of your teeth. Wear the trays for the recommended time, then rinse your mouth and gently brush away any leftover gel with a soft toothbrush. Don’t forget to clean your trays so they’re ready for the next use!

By following these simple steps, you’ll keep your smile bright and beautiful for longer!

Invisalign® Care Tips for a Smooth Treatment

Do:
Use your fingers to put your aligners in place—start by positioning them over your front teeth, then gently press them down over your molars. When fitted correctly, they should sit snugly against your teeth with no gaps. They may feel tight at first but should feel more comfortable by the end of the two-week period.

Keep your aligners in at all times, except when brushing, flossing, or eating. It’s also best to take them out when drinking hot beverages like coffee or tea.

When removing your aligners, gently pull from both sides of your back teeth at the same time, then lift them off your front teeth. Always store them in the case we provided when not in use.

Clean your aligners daily using a toothbrush and toothpaste. Follow the recommended schedule, wearing each set for two weeks unless we advise otherwise. Aligners should be worn in numerical order, with each tray labeled for upper (U) or lower (L) teeth. Keep all your old aligners and bring them to your appointments.

Don’t:
Never wrap your aligners in a napkin or tissue—they’re easy to lose that way!

Avoid biting down on your aligners to snap them into place, as this can damage them.

If you have pets, be sure to keep your aligners out of reach—animals are drawn to saliva and might mistake them for chew toys.

Don’t use denture cleaner, alcohol, or bleach to clean your aligners, and avoid boiling or hot water, as this can warp them.

Chewing gum while wearing your aligners is a no-go, and it’s best to avoid smoking, as it can stain both your aligners and your teeth.

Just in Case:
If you lose the small attachment on your tooth that helps secure your aligner, call our office so we can determine if you need to come in before your next appointment.

If you misplace an aligner tray, wear the next tray in your series if you have it. If not, wear the previous one to prevent your teeth from shifting. Let us know right away which tray was lost so we can determine if a replacement is needed. Please note that replacement trays may come with a fee.

Following these tips will help keep your Invisalign® treatment on track and your smile looking great! If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Post-Treatment Care: Keeping Your Recovery Smooth

We want to make sure you heal comfortably, so please follow these guidelines and reach out if you have any questions!

For the first 30 minutes after your treatment, avoid eating, drinking, or touching the area with your tongue to give the temporary filling time to set properly.

If you received a prescription, be sure to fill it and take it as directed. If no prescription was given, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or Tylenol if needed—just be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the label. If your pain isn’t manageable, give us a call.

To reduce swelling, applying a cold compress to the outside of your face near the treatment area can help. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin, and apply it for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, as needed over the next several hours.

Once you start eating and drinking again, avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent restoration is in place. The temporary filling or crown is softer and can crack, so steer clear of hard foods like nuts, pretzels, hard candy, or ice cubes. You may notice some increased sensitivity before your final restoration is placed. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your restorative dentist within a month—waiting too long increases the risk of your temporary breaking or new decay forming.

Keep the area clean by gently brushing and flossing as usual. If your temporary filling comes out, don’t panic! It’s rare, but if it happens, call your dentist as soon as possible. If it comes out after hours, you can find temporary dental filling material at most pharmacies—just follow the instructions to cover the area until you can be seen.

Some mild discomfort is normal for 2-4 days, and in some cases, the tooth and surrounding tissue may feel sore for a few weeks. Keep up with your normal brushing and flossing routine unless we’ve advised otherwise, and follow any additional instructions we provided during your visit.

Important: What to Do If You Have a Flare-Up

Flare-ups are rare (happening in about 5% of cases), but if they do occur, they can cause significant pain. This typically happens with teeth that were highly irritated, infected, or had previous treatments. Even if you’ve had a root canal before without issues, it’s still possible to experience one.

Symptoms of a flare-up include moderate to severe pain, swelling, throbbing, or general discomfort. If this happens, call us right away. You may need additional medication, such as antibiotics, or further treatment at our office.

We’re here to help—if you have any concerns or need assistance, don’t hesitate to call: 508-466-2223

Post-Surgery Care: What to Expect & How to Heal Comfortably

Right after surgery, keep gentle pressure on the surgical area by biting down on the gauze pad we provided. A little bleeding is normal, but firmly biting on the gauze will help control it. If needed, replace the gauze until the bleeding stops.

If you’re caring for a child after an extraction, make sure they don’t bite or chew their lips or tongue while numb, as this can cause injury.

If you’ve been given a prescription, fill it as soon as possible and take it as directed. If you’ve been prescribed pain medication other than aspirin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires full alertness, as these medications can make you groggy. If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take the full course to help prevent infection.

Some swelling around the face, eyes, and surgical site is normal and may not show up until the day after surgery. It’s usually most noticeable two to three days later. To reduce swelling, apply a cold compress near the extraction site—just be sure to place a cloth between the ice and your skin. Use the cold compress for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours, cold won’t help swelling anymore, but moist heat on the sides of your face can help reduce it.

For the first 24 hours, avoid using a straw, brushing, rinsing, spitting, or smoking. Also, steer clear of hot or spicy foods, as well as carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Take it easy for the rest of the day—avoid heavy work or strenuous activities, and ease back into normal routines as you feel ready.

After the first day, you can start rinsing gently with warm salt water (mix about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) three times a day to keep the area clean. Stick to soft foods and liquids like soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies for the first few days to help with healing.

If sutures were placed, most will dissolve on their own within 7-10 days, so you likely won’t need a follow-up visit. If your sutures do require removal, we’ll let you know before you leave.

If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, or swelling that concerns you, give us a call. For urgent situations, contact our office right away. If you have a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. We’re here to help—don’t hesitate to reach out!

Caring for Yourself After Oral Surgery

A little pain, swelling, bleeding, and seeping are all normal after oral surgery, so don’t worry if you notice some discomfort. Try to avoid pulling on your lip to check the area, and don’t poke around with your tongue or fingers—it’s best to let the site heal undisturbed. If you experience excessive bleeding or discomfort after 48-72 hours, give us a call right away.

You can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed on the label or as recommended by our office to help with any discomfort. Swelling around your face, eyes, and the surgical site may become more noticeable two to three days after surgery. To help reduce it, apply a cold compress near the area—just remember to place a cloth between the ice pack and your skin. Use it for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off as needed. After 36 hours, cold packs won’t help anymore, but applying moist heat to the sides of your face can encourage swelling to go down.

Gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) three times a day can be soothing and help keep the area clean. Avoid brushing near the surgery site at first, but continue brushing and flossing the rest of your mouth as directed.

For the first 24 hours, don’t use a straw, rinse, spit, or smoke, and try to avoid hot or spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. You may notice some sensitivity to hot and cold, which should go away soon. Take it easy for the day—limit heavy activity and ease back into your normal routine as you feel ready.

Stick to soft foods and liquids like soups, yogurt, juice, and smoothies for the first few days to give your mouth time to heal. If you were prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take the full course as directed to prevent infection. Follow any additional instructions we provided at your visit to ensure a smooth recovery.

If you wear a denture that overlaps the surgery site, try to limit how much you wear it in the first few days to allow for proper healing. After the first week, you should be able to gradually increase your wear time.

Keeping your follow-up appointments is important so we can monitor your healing progress. If you notice that pain and swelling are getting worse instead of better after a few days, call our office right away. We’re here to help and want to make sure you heal as comfortably as possible!

Adjusting to Your Dentures: Tips for Comfort & Care

Getting used to new dentures or partials takes a little time, and a few adjustments may be needed to ensure the best fit. One easy way to help yourself adjust is by practicing reading aloud each day—it can help you get used to speaking with them.

To keep your mouth healthy, dentures should be removed overnight or for at least six hours a day to give your gums a break. When you take them out at night, be sure to clean them thoroughly and store them in a clean container filled with denture cleaning solution. Since food particles can sometimes get trapped under dentures, lightly brushing your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth after removal can help prevent irritation and sore spots. Some mild discomfort is normal for the first few days, but it should improve as your mouth adjusts.

For ongoing care, brushing your teeth (or dentures) and the surrounding areas after every meal and flossing at least once a day before bed will help maintain a healthy mouth. If you have full dentures, daily brushing is just as important. A quick rinse with water or mouthwash can also help clear away anything that might have been missed.

Make sure to visit us at least once a year for a check-up and any necessary adjustments to your dentures or partial. Wearing ill-fitting dentures without proper care can lead to jawbone loss and oral health issues. If you ever experience ongoing pain, discomfort, or have any concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call—we’re here to help keep you smiling comfortably!

Caring for Your Smile After Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that helps remove tartar and bacteria from below the gum line, reducing inflammation and infection while making it easier to keep your gums healthy with daily brushing and flossing.

For the first 24 hours, you may notice some sensitivity to hot and cold, which is completely normal. Be sure to wait until any numbness from anesthesia wears off before eating, and avoid hot, spicy foods and vigorous exercise during this time. For the next 48 hours, steer clear of alcohol and smoking to support healing. Some light bleeding is normal after a deep cleaning, but if it seems excessive, give us a call.

If you feel any discomfort, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help—just follow the dosage instructions on the label or those provided by your doctor. A warm salt water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water) three times a day can also be soothing. When brushing and flossing, be extra gentle at first, and return to your normal routine once any soreness has subsided.

Be sure to follow any additional instructions we provided during your visit, and take any prescribed medications as directed. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!