After your procedure, it’s important to take a little time to rest and allow your body to begin the healing process. Our holistic dentist in Mansfield, TX, will provide specific post-operative instructions based on the treatment you received, which you should follow carefully to support proper recovery. In general, we recommend avoiding strenuous activity immediately after your appointment and maintaining gentle oral hygiene unless otherwise directed.
Post-Op Instructions
Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for different procedures to help guide your care at home. If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please contact our office for assistance.
Local Anesthesia
The numbness from the anesthetic injection will wear off within a few hours. You may experience tenderness, mild swelling or bruising to the injection site. In rare cases, prolonged numbness can occur. Please contact our office if numbness does not wear off within 48 hours of surgery.
Use Caution
After an extraction it is crucial that a blood clot forms in the area where the tooth was extracted. Therefore, for the first 24 hours:
- DO NOT: rinse, swish, sing, yell, spit or suck through a straw (suction will cause the clot to be pulled out.)
- DO NOT: drink alcohol or use mouth rinses containing alcohol (these will dissolve the clot.)
- DO NOT SMOKE FOR 5 DAYS AFTER EXTRACTION. Nicotine will keep tissue growth from occurring and will result in a painful condition known as dry socket.
- AVOID: exercise or heavy lifting (this can cause your blood clot to be pushed out.)
- Swelling may occur; Apply an ice bag to the side of the face over the affected area, leave on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes for the remainder of the day. Do not sleep with ice pack on. Ice is no longer effective after the first day. Any swelling will reach its maximum extent in 24-48 hours. Day after surgery—wet heat only! 20 minutes every 2 hours throughout the day or when you get home from work at night. Wet, steamy washcloth works well, and can be re-heated in microwave or crockpot full of water. Should you have any bad discomfort or swelling, continue warm compresses as much as possible until you notice a significant improvement.
- To prevent or slow excessive bleeding, bite with light pressure on the gauze that has been placed over the extraction site, changing the gauze every 15 minutes or as needed for up to 90 minutes after leaving the office. You should wet the gauze and squeeze excess water out of it before placing it over the extraction site. Placing dry gauze over site will allow clot to dry to gauze resulting in clot removal when changing.
- Place a folded towel over your pillow in case of any bleeding while sleeping.
- If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain or continued swelling 3 to 4 days after extraction please contact our office for a short appointment to check the extraction site.
- If sutures (stitches) were placed, they will dissolve on their own after a couple days. If they partially dissolve and are moving around excessively because they are not tied down anymore feel free to gently grab a loose end and remove them.
Day After Surgery
Rinsing with warm salt water several times a day will help gum tissue feel better and ensures adequate bathing of surgical sites! 1/4 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz glass of water, every hour, or every 2 hours until normal healing occurred.
Impacted Teeth
Removing impacted teeth is very different from extracting erupted teeth. If you had an impacted tooth removed, you will likely have these symptoms for a short time:
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Pain while swallowing
- Earache on the side of your surgery
If the impacted tooth was in your lower jaw, you may have numbness in your lower lip or tongue on the side where the tooth was removed. This numbness should go away, but it may last from a few days to many months. You may also have sores on your lips after surgery. Use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on your lips until they heal.
Diet
- For 2 days after surgery, drink liquids and eat soft foods only. Such as milkshakes, eggnog, yogurt, cooked cereals, cottage cheese, smooth soups, mashed potatoes, refried beans, ice cream, pudding, fruit smoothies and protein shakes.
- On day 3 after surgery, eat soft foods that do not require much chewing, such as macaroni and cheese, cooked noodles, soft-boiled, scrambled or poached eggs and soft sandwiches. Avoid tough or crunchy foods, such as pizza, rice, popcorn, and hamburger. Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
- Most patients may resume their normal diet 7 days after surgery.
Pain Management
- Medicines to control pain and prevent infection will be prescribed for you. It is very important that you take all medicines as recommended by Dr. Toni Carr.
- Start taking your pain medicine before the numbness wears off. Continue to take it as prescribed.
- The dose for pain medicine is usually 400 mg to 800 mg ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or generic) every 6 hours. If you have an allergy or sensitivity to ibuprofen, or have been told not to use it, you may take
Medications
- Antibiotics: If given, take as directed on the bottle until all are gone. If rash or nausea occurs, call the office immediately.
Sudafed (decongestant)
- Take as directed to keep sinus cavity clear while healing occurs. Afrin nasal spray (sinus lubricant): use in each nostril as directed to keep sinus cavity lubricated while healing occurs.
Nausea
- Sometimes common when taking any medication or having sedation. It can usually be prevented by ensuring you eat frequently. If nausea is a problem, slowly eat saltine crackers and sip Coca-Cola Classic over ice at frequent intervals. Coke works faster than Sprite or 7-up.
Oral Hygiene
Begin your normal hygiene routine the day after surgery.
- Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
- If you use an electric toothbrush, feel free to use it just as you would a manual toothbrush.
- Brush very gently around the extraction site being careful not to loosen or remove the clot.
- If you were given an irrigating syringe, start using it the fifth day after surgery to keep sockets clean.
- Mix one teaspoon of salt dissolved in a tall glass of warm water.
- Fill the syringe with the warm salt water and irrigate any open sockets gently, especially after eating.
Dry Sockets
Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows:
- The first three days of surgery are usually the most uncomfortable, and there is some degree of swelling and stiffness.
- From the third day on, gradual, steady movements should mark the remainder of your recovery course.
- If there is a noticeable, distinct, persistent throbbing pain in the jaw that arises after the 4th day, please call our office. We would like the opportunity to help alleviate any discomfort.
Sharp Edges
You may feel sharp edges near your surgical site; occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the first week or two after surgery. They are not tooth pieces, but if they are bothersome, we will remove them. Please call the office if you are concerned.
Denture Wear
Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows:
- If you usually wear a removable dental device that replaces missing teeth and rests on the surgery area, check with Dr. Toni Carr before starting to wear it again after surgery.
- It is important not to put any pressure on the surgery site.
- If your bite feels different when you start wearing the device again, or if you had a dental implant and it feels like the device is hitting the implant, call our office.
Please call our office (682) 207-4800 if you have any questions or difficulties. If it is after hours, follow the prompts to be connected to our answering service. If you feel that your symptoms warrant a physician, and you are unable to reach Dr. Toni Carr, please go to the closest hospital emergency room immediately.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your dental care. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Your fillings were placed to repair cavities in your teeth. We would like to share some common experiences of our patients:
- Anesthesia: Your mouth will be numb for several hours. Be careful not to bite your lip, cheek or tongue while numb.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Cold sensitivity is the most common experience with new fillings. Generally, the deeper the filling the greater the sensitivity; and often the longer the sensitivity lasts.
- Pressure Sensitivity: Sometimes occurs if the bite needs a slight adjustment.
- White composite filling should blend well with your natural teeth.
What You Can Do To Help
- DO NOT eat until after the numbness wears off.
- Maintain good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings with our Registered Dental Hygienist.
Please take the following, as needed for pain and swelling for 2-3 days after surgery:
- Ibuprofen 200mg: x2 – every 6hrs
- Acetaminophen 500mg: x2 – every 6hrs (these can be taken together for STRONGER pain relief than from narcotics)
- Hypericum: 3-5 pellets placed under the tongue 3-5 times/daily, at least 15 minutes prior to eating
- Arnica: 3-5 pellets under the tongue 3-5 times/daily, at least 15 minutes prior to eating
- Propolis Lozenges: dissolve in mouth up to 5x/daily to prevent sores
- Red Light Therapy (Aculase, by Usuie): as directed on Aculase instructions
Please take the following for 1-3 months:
- Omega-3 EFAs: 3 pills morning, 3 pills evening (anti-inflammatory, builds bone, and relieves pain)
- Bone Strength: 2 pills morning, 2 pills evening (builds bone and supports teeth healing)
- Boron: 1 pill morning, 1 pill evening (helps build bone)
- Congaplex: 4 capsules morning, 4 capsules evening (supports immune system and healing process)
- Neo40: 1 tablet morning (helps new blood vessels grow)
- JuiceFestiv: 1 red and green morning, 1 red and green evening (antioxidants from FOOD)
- Custom homeopathic: 10 drops under tongue just before bed (helps immune system clear infection and toxins)
- L-theanine: 1 tablet daily (helps reduce systemic stress and improves sleep)
Veneers usually take a couple of appointments to complete. The teeth are prepared during your first appointment while temporary veneers or bridges are placed to provide protection to your teeth. These temporary restorations will be just that, a protective plastic cap to cover the “preparation” while your custom restoration is being made.
Anesthetic
It is normal for you to feel numbness on your lips, teeth, and tongue for several hours when anesthetic has been applied. It is suggested to not chew until the numbness is completely gone.
Temporary Veneers
- There are times when temporary veneers come off. Please do call us when this happens, and keep the temporary so we can re-cement it. Keep in mind that the proper fit of your final restoration relies on your temporary remaining in place until the final cementation.
- If your temporary comes off, you may try to gently place the veneer back into place and see if it remains secure. If so, please continue with your post-operative care as directed and contact us if it becomes loose again. A small amount of Vaseline can be placed inside the temporary before you try it back in to add an extra “suction” to lock it into position.
- If the temporary does not slide back into place properly – call our office to schedule a follow-up appointment as soon as possible.
Sensitivity
- Hot, cold, and pressure sensitivity are all normal. You may also experience gum soreness for a few days. Just rinse three times a day with warm salt water to reduce pain and swelling.
- A tsp. of salt in a cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit.
- If discomfort persists, you can also use OTC medication as directed.
Home Care
- Avoid eating sticky foods (gum, taffy, caramel), and hard foods to help keep your temporary in place.
- Chew only on the opposite side of your mouth.
- Brush your teeth like normal starting the night of your procedure.
- Floss very carefully – insert and remove the floss from the side of your temporary veneer to prevent the temporary veneer from coming loose.
If you are experiencing symptoms not listed above, or persistent pain that cannot be controlled with OTC medication, please call our office at (682) 207-4800 immediately.
A temporary crown or bridge has been placed on your tooth today to protect the tooth and make it less sensitive. The final crown or bridge will be placed in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. It is very important to keep this appointment because if delayed the tooth may drift or shift positions and the final crown may not fit properly.
Please Follow These Instructions
- Tenderness: Your teeth and gums may be sore and sensitive after crown or bridge preparations. Most times the initial soreness can be relieved with the over-the-counter pain reliever of your choice.
- Soreness: To ease the soreness in the gums place ½ tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth gently. You can do this several times daily.
- Tooth Brushing: Using a soft bristle brush, brush the temporary crown as you do your natural teeth.
- Flossing: DO NOT floss the temporary crown, the flossing may dislodge it.
- Eating: Stay away from sticky foods (gums, taffy, caramels, etc.). Avoid hard candy, nuts or chewing ice.
- Loosening of the Temporary Crown: Because the temporary crown is placed with temporary cement; it may come loose. If it does, place it back on the tooth and call the office to make an appointment for re-cementation. If this occurs at a time when the office is closed, use Vaseline, toothpaste or a denture adhesive to keep it more securely in place until the office reopens. This is not considered an emergency. DO NOT leave the temporary crown off for any length of time.
- Seating Your Porcelain Crown or Bridge: Please keep your scheduled appointment to place the final crown or bridge on your teeth. If you miss or delay this appointment the teeth may drift or shift, preventing the proper fit of your final crown or bridge. The cost to REMAKE the crown will be your responsibility.
For any unexpected or unusual conditions and for all questions, please call us at the office.
About
This innovative device at Inspiring Smiles includes several applicators to allow us to customize treatment to your needs and maximize its effectiveness. The Exion Face applicator harnesses the power of radiofrequency and ultrasound to reveal youthful-looking skin in the face and neck with more elasticity, definition, and radiance. Boost your microneedling procedure while minimizing discomfort with Exion Fractional RF or increase your natural hyaluronic acid with Exion Face & Body to smooth and revitalize the skin.
Your Exion procedure may vary depending on the type of applicator you use. For Exion Fractional RF, you can expect the appointment to resemble a typical microneedling treatment.
For full results, we recommend that you complete several appointments for Exion Fractional RF. This will also increase the duration of your results for long-lasting radiance! Exion is a new advancement that combines radiofrequency, ultrasound, and AI to yield your desired results. With Exion Fractional RF, the radiofrequency energy doubles the depth of the microneedles, improving texture and tone without increasing pain or discomfort. 30-60mins, minimal downtime, 3+ sessions
Precare
No Retinols or other exfoliants within 5 days. No tans, sunburns, or recent sun exposure. No tox or filler injections within 2 weeks. No blood thinners day of including OTC painkillers and fish oils. Please reschedule if sick or experiencing any active cold sores.
Do hydrate frequently. Do use quality skincare recommended by your provider. Please let us know if you have experienced any health changes in between each appointment.
Post Care
Do continue to hydrate frequently. Ice as directed by your provider. Keep a simple skincare routine for 2 weeks before adding back in active ingredients like retinols or exfoliants. Do not heat skin – avoid exercise, hot tubs, swimming, or sweating for at least 7 days. Use SPF regularly and avoid sun exposure while undergoing treatments.
Do not pick, peel, or remove skin yourself. Let skin exfoliate naturally.
About
Inspiring Smiles Complete Dental Wellness is proud to be on the cutting-edge of aesthetics technology. One of the newest advancements we offer for improved facial toning and tightening is the Emface. EMface—a noninvasive, non-surgical alternative to a facelift that uses radiofrequency and HIFES (high-intensity focused electromagnetic stimulation) technology to produce amazing results
Emface combines RF and HIFES technology to precisely target and heat the muscles within your face and permanently damage the fat cells—while also smoothing out common signs of aging.
The treatment is noninvasive and doesn’t require any incisions or injections during the procedure. After a series of Emface treatments, the damaged cells will remove themselves from the body and create a firmer, more sculpted appearance!
Emface at isn’t a one-off treatment. Its properties boost other procedures as well, making it the foundation for a more youthful appearance. 20mins, no downtime, minimum of 4 treatments
Precare
No Retinols or other exfoliants within 5 days. No tans, sunburns, or recent sun exposure. No tox or filler injections within 2 weeks. Please reschedule if sick or experiencing any active cold sores.
Do hydrate frequently. Do use quality skincare recommended by your provider. Please let us know if you have experienced any health changes in between each appointment.
Post Care
Do continue to hydrate frequently. Keep a simple skincare routine for 2 weeks before adding back in active ingredients like retinols or exfoliants. Use SPF regularly. Let skin exfoliate naturally.
Congratulations on your whiter smile! The next 48 hours are important in maximizing your whitening results for a long lasting, bright smile and healthy smile.
We HIGHLY recommend no food no drink, even water, for 2 hours after treatment is complete. This is when your teeth are most porous and will grab the most stain.
For the next 24-48 hours, please avoid:
- Drinks-coffee, tea, red wine, cola
- Condiments-Ketchup, Mustard, Red Sauces, Soy sauces, Steak sauces
- Food- Berries, Red meats, (ie. Steak, Hamburger)
We do not recommend using colored toothpaste or mouthwash. Dr. Carr also recommends using a fluoride-free sensitive toothpaste for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Dark staining substances should be avoided because this is when your teeth are the most susceptible to absorbing stains. Anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth.
Additional ways to maintain your sparkling smile:
- Avoid staining related habits-ex. smoking
- Continue good oral hygiene and stay current on regular dental cleanings
- We recommend the use of a Sonicare, or other electric toothbrush, to prolong whitening effects
Take Home Whitening
3 days after a whitening session in the office, start the whitening gels at home
- Please make sure the tray is completely dry. Place a small amount of gel on each of your teeth. We recommend to only use take home gel on your smile line-canine to canine. Do not overfill the gel as this can cause irritation to your gums
- Wear the bleaching trays with the gel for up to 16 minutes.
- If you experience any sensitivity while using the whitening gel, remove device and gel and brush teeth. Discontinue for a 2 days to one week and try again.
Post Operative Sensitivity
Some patients experience sensitivity such as “zingers” or thermal sensitivity 12 to 24 hours after whitening and during at home whitening. Here are some things you can do to help relieve this sensitivity
- Place Relief ACP gel or hydroxyapatite on the problem areas
- Brushing with Fluoride Free sensitivity toothpaste
- Drink plenty of water
- If needed use over the counter pain meds, such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen
Nitrous oxide is an odorless, non-absorbed gas, that when used by inhalation in the dental setting can reduce gag reflexes, reduce anxiety levels and help in comfort during dental procedures and appointments. Having the dentistry done without nitrous sedation is an option as there are risks associated with anxiolysis via nitrous oxide.
To avoid chances of nausea or vomiting it was recommended to not eat or drink anything 2-4 hours prior to my appointment and for 2 hours following. Limited clear liquids can be consumed after the appointment.
Nitrous is quickly cleared from the system so it is possible to drive home after the appointment, but it is encouraged to have a driver as everyone’s response to nitrous is different. If you have taken any prescription sedatives or drugs that could enhance the effect of the nitrous a responsible driver must escort you home from the appointment.
Although cleared quickly, some experience exhaustion after the sedation. However, with nitrous oxide sedation alone this is unlikely in adults. Children can be very sleepy for the remainder of the day. They should avoid any sports or major activities following their dental appointment and should be monitored while playing and eating following their dental work.
Prolonged exposure for multiple appointments can have effects on the central nervous system so nitrous oxide should be used with caution under supervision of your dental professionals and is not for recreational use. Pregnant women are not candidates for nitrous oxide via inhalation in dentistry.
Nitrous oxide can make you feel as if you had a couple of glasses of wine, but you should return to normal alertness quickly following the procedure. Some patients do not like the feeling or feel claustrophobic under the nose piece. The nitrous can be stopped at any time however we encourage you to breathe pure oxygen for 5-10 minutes to reduce the chances of intense headache or fatigue following the appointment.
Some patients report the nitrous wearing off mid procedure and some report it is having no effect. Some patients tolerate nitrous differently than others and some metabolize it faster. These are all normal risk of nitrous oxide sedation in dentistry.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to call us at the office at (682) 207-4800 at any time. After hours you can reach Dr. Toni Carr at the same number. We thank you for the opportunity to serve your oral health needs!
- The numbness from the anesthetic injection will wear off within a few hours.
- You may experience tenderness, mild swelling or bruising to the injection site. In rare cases, prolonged numbness can occur. Please contact our office if numbness does not wear off within 48 hours of your procedure.
- We recommend waiting until the anesthetic has worn off before eating/drinking.
Home Care After Scaling and Root Planing
- Avoid eating anything on the area being treated for two hours or until the dental anesthetic has worn off completely.
- Avoid any hard “chippy” foods such as tortilla chips, potato chips, popcorn, or seeds for the next several days
- To help soothe the area, rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with warm saltwater rinses. Use one teaspoon of salt for every 3 ounces of water.
- If prescribed, follow pain management protocol using the opioid free StellaLife Oral Care.
- Resume your home care regimen of brushing twice a day and daily flossing immediately but be gentle with the area recently treated. Your gum health must be maintained with proper home care, as instructed, and regular dental visits
- Refrain from smoking for two weeks after scaling and root planing. Tobacco will delay the healing of the tissues.
Pain Management
- You may experience some cold sensitivity, this is normal. Any sensitivity should gradually go away in a few weeks.
- You may take a non-aspirin pain reliever for any tenderness or discomfort.
- Take Ibuprofen 600mg (Advil) or Extra Strength Tylenol 500mg unless you are allergic or have medical conditions that prevent taking these medications.
- If needed, you can use desensitizing toothpaste, such as Fygg, Living Well Sensitive Tooth Powder.
- Avoid toothpaste with “whitening” or baking soda, as this will increase the sensitivity
If any additional questions arise prior to your follow-up appointment, please contact our office.
