Post-Op Instructions

Tooth Extractions

  • Be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue before the numbness entirely goes away
  • Bite down firmly on the gauze pad placed over the surgical area for 30 minutes. Do not chew on the gauze pad. After 30 minutes, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.
  • The blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is essential for the healing process, and it is important not to disturb it.
  • Do not suck on the extraction socket or disturb it with your tongue or fingers.
  • Vigorous mouth rinsing should be avoided for the first 3 days. You may continue your routine home care, such as brushing and flossing, but be gentle when brushing the surgical areas. On the day of the surgery, after brushing, rinse only 1 time.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouth rinse containing alcohol for the first 3 days.
  • Avoid a hot or very cold diet. A room temperature soft diet is preferred for the first day but not necessary. Do not use a straw. Return to a regular diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
  • Avoid smoking or use of tobacco for 1 week.
  • Restrict strenuous physical activities on the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
  • Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for the first 24 hours. If excessive bleeding is suspected, please call for further instructions.
  • Swelling after surgery is normal and is usually proportional to the surgery involved. The peak swelling will occur 2-3 days after the surgery. The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur after 3 days, call the office for instructions.
  • You can take pain medication 30 minutes after the surgery. Generally, a combination of 1 tablet of Tylenol 500 mg and 2 tablets of Advil 200 mg every 8t hours can control pain very well. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. DO NOT take any of the above drugs if you are allergic, contraindicated by your medical conditions, or instructed otherwise by Dr. Kham.
  • If you have been placed on antibiotics, take them as directed.
  • Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be worn (if they cover the surgical area) for at least 2 weeks after surgery unless otherwise instructed.
  • If sutures are placed in the area of surgery to help healing, please do not disturb them. They may become dislodged or resorbed. This is no cause for alarm. The removal of sutures (if required) is brief, straightforward, and performed when you come in for your 1-week follow up.
  • If the blood clot does not form in the socket or breaks down for some reason, dry socket may occur 3-4 days after extraction. This is very painful and should be reported to us immediately. A dressing will be placed in the socket.
  • There will be a cavity where the tooth was removed. The cavity will gradually fill with new tissue over the next month. In the meantime, the area should be cleaned gently but not allowed to get irritated.

Implant / Bone Graft Surgery

  • Be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue before the numbness entirely goes away
  • After implant surgery, there will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gum tissue. It is a cover for the implant.
  • Do not suck on the surgery site or disturb it with your tongue or fingers.
  • Vigorous mouth rinsing should be avoided for the first 3 days. You may continue your routine home care such as brushing and flossing, but be gentle when brushing the surgical area. On the day of the surgery, after brushing, rinse only 1 time.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouth rinse containing alcohol for first 3 days. Prescription mouthwash may be given if needed.
  • Avoid a hot or very cold diet. A room temperature soft diet is preferred for the first day but not necessary. Do not use a straw. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
  • Avoid smoking or use of tobacco for 1 week.
  • Restrict strenuous physical activities on the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
  • Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for the first 24 hours. If excessive bleeding is suspected, please call for further instructions.
  • The swelling after surgery is normal and is usually proportional to the surgery involved. The peak swelling will occur 2-3 days after the surgery. The pain and swelling should subside more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur after 3 days, call the office for instructions.
  • You can take pain medication 30 minutes after the surgery. Generally, a combination of 1 tablet of Tylenol 500 mg and 2 tablets of Advil 200 mg every 8 hours can control pain very well. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. DO NOT take any of the above drugs if you are allergic, contraindicated by your medical conditions, or instructed otherwise by Dr. Kham.
  • If you have been placed on antibiotics, take them as directed.
  • Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be worn (if they are covering the surgical area) for at least 2 weeks after surgery unless otherwise instructed.
  • If sutures are placed in the area of surgery to help healing, please do not disturb them. They may become dislodged or resorbed. This is no cause for alarm. The removal of sutures (if required) is brief, easy, and performed when you come in for your 1-week follow up.

Words of Wisdom

Healing is an individual biologic response. Do not accept well-intended advice from friends or the Internet. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Kham, your oral surgeon, or another licensed healthcare provider directly.

After Restorations ( Fillings and Crowns )

Be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue before the numbness entirely goes away. Generally, there is no diet or activity restriction after restorations. Slight gum soreness or discoloration around the tooth with restorations is typical for the first day. Mild sensitivity to cold foods and/or chewing is not uncommon after a filling or crown and will go away in a few days. If sensitivity persists for more than 4 weeks, please contact our office for further instructions. If you experience severe throbbing pain, please contact us immediately.

After Root Canal Treatment

Be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue before the numbness entirely goes away. Generally, there is no diet or activity restriction after root canal treatment. Avoid chewing hard food on the root canal treated tooth before the crown is placed to prevent fracture of the tooth. A root canal makes the tooth healthy again, but the tooth will still need a crown. Slight pain, gum soreness, or discoloration around the tooth is typical for the first few days. If you experience severe throbbing pain or continue to experience pain as before, please contact us immediately.

Call us at (202) 677-0456 with any questions.