Post-Operative Care FAQ

Thank you for trusting us with your dental care. Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about recovering from dental procedures. If your question isn't answered here and you need to reach the dentist on call after hours, please call our office and press 0 after listening to the voicemail options.

Fillings

Is it normal for my tooth to feel sensitive after a filling?

Yes. Mild sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure is normal for a few days to two weeks after a filling, especially if the cavity was deep. This usually resolves on its own. If sensitivity is severe, worsening, or lasts longer than 2–3 weeks, please call us or book an emergency appointment online.

My bite feels "off" or too high — is that normal?

It can take a day or two for your bite to feel normal again, especially while you're still numb. If your bite still feels uneven or you're only hitting the new filling when you close down after a couple of days, call us or book an emergency appointment online – we may need to make a small adjustment. This is quick and painless.

When can I eat after a filling?

If you had local anesthesia (numbing), wait until the numbness fully wears off (usually 1–3 hours) before eating to avoid biting your cheek, tongue, or lip. Once feeling returns, you can eat normally, though we recommend avoiding very hard or sticky foods on that tooth for the first 24 hours.

Crowns (Including Temporary Crowns)

Temporary Crowns

My temporary crown feels loose — what should I do?

Temporary crowns are meant to be held in place with weaker, temporary cement so they can be removed easily when your permanent crown is ready. Some looseness or minor movement is normal. To protect it:
● Avoid chewing gum, caramel, or other sticky/chewy foods on that side
● Avoid hard foods (ice, nuts, hard candy) on that side
● Chew on the opposite side of your mouth when possible
● Avoid flossing directly around the temporary – instead, slide the floss out sideways rather than pulling it up and out, which can dislodge the crown

My temporary crown fell off. Is this an emergency?

Not usually. If it comes off:
1. Save the temporary crown if you can find it.
2. Keep the area clean.
3. Call our office during business hours or book an emergency appointment online to schedule a re-cement appointment as soon as possible – the exposed tooth can be sensitive.
4. If you're in significant pain or it happens right before a weekend/holiday and you cannot manage the sensitivity, use over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label until we can see you. You can also try over the counter crown cement to hold the crown on the tooth until we can see you.

Why does my tooth feel sensitive with the temporary crown on?

Temporary crowns don't seal as tightly as permanent crowns, so some sensitivity to temperature and pressure is expected. This should improve significantly once your permanent crown is placed.

Can I whiten my teeth while I have a temporary crown?

No – please wait until your permanent crown is placed. Whitening won't affect the crown material, and doing it beforehand can cause a mismatch in shade between your permanent crown and your natural teeth.

Permanent Crowns

My tooth is still sensitive after my permanent crown was placed.

Mild sensitivity to cold or pressure can persist for a few days to a few weeks after a permanent crown is cemented. If it's improving over time, that's normal healing. If it's getting worse, or you have sharp pain when biting down, please call us or book an emergency appointment online – the bite may need adjusting.

My gums are sore around the new crown.

Some gum tenderness near the crown margin is common for a few days after the appointment, especially if the tooth needed a lot of preparation. Warm salt water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz warm water) 2–3 times a day can help.

Extractions

How do I care for the extraction site in the first 24 hours?

● Bite firmly on the gauze provided for 30–45 minutes, replacing it if it becomes soaked through
● Avoid rinsing, spitting forcefully, smoking, or using a straw for at least 24 hours – this can dislodge the blood clot and lead to a dry socket
● Stick to soft, cool foods for the first day (yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, smoothies without a straw)
● Avoid vigorous exercise for 24–48 hours

Is bleeding normal after an extraction?

Some oozing or light bleeding for the first 24 hours is normal. Biting down on a black teabag can help slow light bleeding. If the bleeding is heavy, won't stop with gauze pressure or black tea bags after 30–45 minutes, or restarts significantly after the first day, call our office. If bleeding is severe and uncontrollable, this is an emergency – please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What is dry socket, and how do I know if I have one?

Dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged or dissolves before the site heals, exposing bone and nerve. It typically causes a sharp, throbbing pain that starts 2–4 days after the extraction and may radiate to your ear or jaw, sometimes with a bad taste or odor. If you think you have dry socket, please call us – this requires an in-office treatment and is not something that improves with home care alone.

When can I resume normal brushing and eating?

You can resume gentle brushing of your other teeth right away, avoiding the extraction site directly. Most patients can return to a normal diet within a few days as comfort allows, starting with soft foods and gradually adding firmer foods back in.

Bone Grafting

What should I expect after a bone graft procedure?

Mild to moderate swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal for the first 3–5 days and typically peak around day 2–3 before improving. Some minor bleeding or oozing at the site is expected in the first 24 hours.

What can I eat after a bone graft?

Stick to a soft, cool diet for the first several days (yogurt, smoothies without a straw, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs). Avoid chewing directly on the graft site, avoid hot foods and drinks for the first day, and avoid any hard, crunchy, or seedy foods that could disturb the graft material for at least 1–2 weeks, or as long as we specifically advise.

Will I notice small hard or gritty particles in my mouth after the graft?

Yes, this can be normal. Bone graft material sometimes includes small granules, and it isn't unusual for a few tiny particles to work loose and be felt in the mouth or rinsed out, especially in the first week or two. This does not necessarily mean the graft has failed. If you notice a large amount of material coming out, visible gaps, increasing pain, or signs of infection, please call us.

Is swelling that increases after a few days normal?

Swelling should generally peak within the first 2–3 days and then start improving. If swelling continues to worsen after day 3–4, or is accompanied by fever, spreading redness, or a bad taste/odor, please call our office.

When can I resume brushing near the graft site?

Avoid brushing directly over the graft site until we advise it's safe, but continue gently brushing your other teeth. We may prescribe an antimicrobial rinse – use exactly as directed, and avoid vigorous swishing or spitting for the first few days.

Sutures (Stitches)

Are my stitches dissolvable, or will they need to be removed?

This depends on the type used for your procedure. Dissolvable sutures typically break down and fall out on their own within 1–2 weeks and do not need to be removed. Non-dissolvable sutures will need a short follow-up visit for removal – we'll let you know at your appointment which type you have and, if applicable, when to schedule removal.

Is it normal for a stitch to feel loose, or to fall out early?

Yes, this can happen, especially with dissolvable sutures as they break down, or if a knot slips. A single loose or missing stitch usually isn't a concern as long as the surgical site isn't gaping open or bleeding heavily. If the site opens up, separates significantly, or bleeds heavily, please call us.

Can I brush or floss near my stitches?

Avoid brushing or flossing directly over the sutured area until we tell you it's okay. You can continue gently caring for the rest of your mouth as normal. Rinsing gently with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz warm water), starting the day after your procedure, can help keep the area clean.

What if I swallow a stitch that came out?

This is not dangerous. Sutures are small and made of biocompatible material; if one comes loose and you accidentally swallow it, no action is needed. Just let us know at your next visit or call if you're concerned about the healing site itself.

Peri-Acryl / Tissue Adhesive ("Dental Glue")

What is the clear or white coating on my gums?

If a tissue adhesive (sometimes called "dental glue" or by brand name) was used instead of, or alongside, stitches, you may notice a thin, clear, white, or slightly yellow film over the surgical site. This is normal and is meant to protect the area and help it heal, similar to a liquid bandage.

How long does the adhesive stay on, and what happens when it comes off?

The coating typically wears away on its own within several days to about a week as the tissue underneath heals. It's normal for small flakes or pieces to come off gradually – you do not need to pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

Can I brush, rinse, or eat normally with the tissue adhesive in place?

Brush your other teeth as normal, but avoid direct brushing over the treated area. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or sucking through a straw for the first 24 hours, since this can dislodge the adhesive before it's done its job. Stick to soft foods on that side for the first few days.

Is it a problem if the adhesive comes off sooner than expected?

Not usually, as long as the tissue underneath looks like it's healing normally (pink, not excessively red or swollen) and you're not experiencing increasing pain or bleeding. If the site looks open, is bleeding significantly, or pain is getting worse rather than better, please call our office.

Root Canals

Why does my tooth still hurt after a root canal?

Some soreness or dull ache in the tooth and surrounding gum is common for a few days to about a week, particularly when chewing, as the tissue around the tooth root heals from the procedure. This usually improves gradually with over-the-counter pain relief as needed. If pain is severe, increasing after several days, or you notice swelling, please call us.

Do I need a crown after my root canal?

Many teeth that receive root canal treatment need a crown afterward to protect the tooth from fracturing, since the tooth structure is often weaker after treatment. If this applies to you, we'll have already discussed scheduling this with you – please avoid chewing hard foods directly on that tooth until the crown is placed.

Is swelling normal after a root canal?

Mild swelling can occur but should be minor and improve day by day. Significant or worsening facial swelling, especially if it affects your ability to breathe or swallow, is a medical emergency – please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Implants

What should I expect in the first few days after implant placement?

Mild swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal for the first 2–3 days and can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your face in 20-minute intervals during the first day can help reduce swelling.

What can I eat after implant surgery?

Stick to a soft diet (soups, eggs, yogurt, mashed vegetables, smoothies) for the first several days, avoiding chewing directly on the implant site. Avoid hot foods and drinks the day of surgery, and avoid using a straw, which can disrupt healing.

How do I clean the area after implant surgery?

Avoid brushing directly over the surgical site for the first few days, but continue gently brushing your other teeth. We may recommend an antimicrobial rinse – use it exactly as instructed. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours.

Is some bleeding or oozing normal?

Light oozing or blood-tinged saliva for the first day is normal. If you experience persistent, heavy bleeding that doesn't respond to gentle pressure with gauze, please call our office. Severe, uncontrolled bleeding is an emergency – dial 911.

How do I know if my implant is failing versus normal healing discomfort?

Normal healing discomfort gradually improves day by day. Signs that may indicate a problem include increasing pain (rather than improving), visible pus or discharge, a bad taste that doesn't resolve, the implant feeling loose or mobile, or fever. If you notice any of these, please call our office promptly.

When to Seek Immediate Emergency Care

Please stop reading this FAQ and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:
● Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding that does not stop with firm gauze pressure
● Difficulty breathing or swallowing
● Rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling
● High fever with facial swelling

For all other post-operative questions not covered here, please call our office. During business hours, our team is happy to help. After hours, you may press 0 during our voicemail greeting to reach the dentist on call for non-life-threatening concerns that can't wait until the next business day.