Aftercare Instructions
At Lima Community Dental, our team is dedicated to providing the best service for your smile. While many providers focus exclusively on the patient in the office, we prioritize the ones recovering at home as well. After leaving our office, we want you to have a smooth transition through the healing journey, which is why we’ve put together the resources listed below.
Each of the videos below detail recommended aftercare for specific dental procedures. While we will provide this information during your time in the office as well, we want to ensure you feel supported by this guidance even after you leave. Please call if you have any questions regarding your aftercare.
Post-Operative Instructions for Immediate Dentures (Temporary Dentures)
- Do not remove the denture for the first 24 hours and wear it overnight for the first two or three nights. Removing the appliance during this time may result in swelling—making it difficult or impossible to reinsert the denture.
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products for at least a week while adjusting to the denture.
- For the first ten days, eat soft foods and drink cool liquids to avoid irritation.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Simple Extraction
- Limit physical activity for the first 24 hours.
- For the first hour following extraction, bite down gently on gauze to slow bleeding. If bleeding continues, bite down on fresh gauze for 30 more minutes.
- Drink lots of water, but do not use a straw for the first 48 hours following the extraction. Using a straw may dislodge a blood clot, delaying the healing process.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Surgical Extraction
- Limit physical activity for the first 24 hours.
- For the first hour following extraction, bite down gently on gauze to slow bleeding. If bleeding continues, bite down on fresh gauze for 30 more minutes.
- Drink lots of water, but do not use a straw for the first 48 hours following the extraction. Using a straw may dislodge a blood clot, delaying the healing process.
Post-Operative Instructions for Scaling & Root Planing
- Limit physical activity for the first 24 hours.
- Take an over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication to help with discomfort during healing.
- If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take them for the indicated amount of time—even if symptoms are no longer present.
Post-Operative Instructions for Root
Canal
- Avoid eating or drinking until your anesthesia was worn off. This is to avoid accidentally biting and injuring your tongue, lip, or gum tissue.
- Take an over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication to help with discomfort during healing.
- If antibiotics are prescribed, be sure to take them for the indicated amount of time—even if symptoms are no longer present.
Post-Operative Instructions for an Amalgam Filling
- Do not eat or drink until the anesthesia has worn off to prevent possible injury.
- Don’t eat for 1-2 hours after the filling is placed so it has time to set properly
- Take an over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication to help with discomfort during healing
Post-Operative Instructions for a Composite Filling
- Avoid eating or drinking until your anesthesia was worn off. This is to avoid accidentally biting and injuring your tongue, lip, or gum tissue.
- Experiencing a sensitivity to pressure, temperature, or sweet foods is normal for the first several days or weeks following this procedure.
- For sore gums, rinse your mouth with warm salt water up to three times per day, or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Crown
- Avoid eating or drinking until your anesthesia wears off. This is to avoid accidentally biting and injuring your tongue, lip, or gum tissue.
- For the first 24 hours following your crown placement, avoid eating hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky foods.
- For sore gums, rinse your mouth with warm salt water up to three times per day, or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Post-Operative Instructions for a Bridge
- Avoid eating or drinking until your anesthesia wears off. This is to avoid accidentally biting and injuring your tongue, lip, or gum tissue.
- For the first 24 hours following your bridge placement, avoid eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods.
- For sore gums, rinse your mouth with warm salt water up to three times per day, or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.