Post-Treatment Advice

Following a Root Canal Filling:

• The treated tooth is commonly VERY tender to touch, biting, tapping or chewing for a few days after treatment. DO NOT CHEW ON THAT SIDE.

• Discomfort usually subsides in a couple of days, but may last as long as a few weeks. Improvement will be gradual.

• The treated tooth, the injection sites, as well as the soft tissues around the tooth, will feel sore and tender.

• If your tooth throbs, keep your head elevated, even when lying down. Refrain from any strenuous activity.

• We usually recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, at least three to five days following treatment.

• Take all prescribed medication as directed.

• Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt to a mug of warm water), three to four times a day may also be helpful in relieving discomfort.

• If you initially feel better, but then get significantly worse two or three days after treatment, you may be experiencing what is known as a "flare-up." This is not a common occurrence, but if it happens, please contact the practice.

Following the removal of a tooth:

• After an extraction a clot will form in the hole left by the tooth. It is important not to disturb the clot, as it may cause the socket to start bleeding again. Therefore, for the first 24 hours, you should avoid exercise for the rest of the day. Also, do not smoke, drink alcohol or eat hot food.

• 12-24 hours after the extraction, asdd half a teapoonful of salt to a glass of warm water and gently rinse your mouth. This will keep the socket clean and prevent infection. This process should be repeated after meals and before bed for up to a week.

• To keep your mouth clean, you should continue with your normal daily routine of brushing your teeth with toothpaste.

• After an extraction it is quite common for small pieces of bone to work their way out of the socket and for there to be some swelling or discomfort.

• If the bleeding does not stop you can either use clean cotton handkerchiefs or some gauze around a pad, which your dentist may supply you with. Remain sitting up and you should then place a pad across the socket and bite down on it for 10 to 15 minutes.

• If the bleeding has not stopped within two hours, you should contact your dentist