When to contact the office

• Excessive bleeding that lasts more than four hours.
• Swelling that worsens after 2-3 days.
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, pus, or redness.
• Pain that doesn’t improve after taking pain medication, severe pain that lasts more than four hours, or worsening days after the procedure.

After Care Instructions

• Numbness The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch, or scratch the numb area.
• Eating/Drinking
  • Anesthesia: Don’t eat or drink on the treated side until the numbness is gone to avoid biting your lip, tongue, or cheeks.
  • Diet: Once the numbness is gone, eat soft foods for the next 1-3 days, using discretion. Avoid hard and crunchy foods for at least 48 hours.
• Soreness
  • Mild Soreness: You might feel some soreness in your gums and where the injections were. This is normal and usually temporary.
  • Pain Relief: Take ibuprofen or Tylenol to ease any discomfort as needed for the first 1-3 days.
• Oral Hygiene and Healing
  • Gentle Brushing: Brush gently for the next couple of days but don’t avoid the treated areas. Good home care is crucial for healing.
  • Saltwater Rinses: Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater (1 tsp salt in 6-8 oz water) for 30 seconds, 2-3 times a day to help with healing and soothing your gums.
• Smoking
  • Avoid Smoking: Try not to smoke for a couple of days as it can slow down healing. This is a great time to consider quitting smoking to improve your gum health.
• Bleeding
  • Slight Bleeding: You might see some slight bleeding during brushing for the next few days. This should decrease as your gums heal over the next 10-14 days.
• Sensitivity
  • Heightened Sensitivity: Your teeth may be more sensitive to temperature and sweets after the procedure. This is usually temporary.
  • Products for Sensitivity: Use Sensodyne toothpaste or ACT fluoride rinse to help reduce sensitivity. Apply the paste gently and don’t rinse before bedtime if recommended. If sensitivity persists, you may be given a prescription paste or rinse.
• Prescriptions
  • Antibiotics & Rinses: If prescribed, take antibiotics or use antimicrobial rinses as directed. Make sure to finish the full dose to reduce infection and encourage healing.