Fort Lee dentist, Dentist in Fort Lee, NJ

POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

These are general post op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly.

SCALING AND ROOT PLANING

After your scaling or root planning, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. One teaspoon salt / 8 oz. water. You should start home care immediately, although you should be extremely gentle with the treated areas.

If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue where you had treatment, an Advil or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this feeling. The treated areas might be sensitive to hot and cold.

It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy foods for the next 48-72 hours while the treated area begins to heal.

You may also experience some swelling or jaw stiffness. If this does occur, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness.

Smoking should be terminated for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Please contact the office if the pain or swelling persists.

It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:

1. Place a piece of wet gauze over the surgery site.

2. Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. DO NOT chew on it.

3. If the bleeding continues, call the office

4. Do not suck on area where surgery occurred, spit, or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours.

Rinsing:

1. Don't spit or rinse the surgical area on the day of the surgery..

2. The day after surgery you may gently rinse with warm salt water.

3. You may brush your teeth the day after the surgery. Be careful of the surgical site.

Eating:

You should start with liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. If the area feels a little better, you can then move on to a normal diet. Be careful of chewing on hard foods near the surgical area.

Pain & Swelling:

It is normal to experience some degree of swelling.

If you do experience swelling, you can place ice over your face for 20-30 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours. This should help to reduce pain and swelling. Do not ice after the first 36 hours.

If you feel discomfort, it is recommended that you take an Advil or Tylenol to ease the pain. If the pain persists, please contact the office.