For Patients
Post-Op & Care Instructions
What to do before and after your procedure. The instructions below are general guidelines — Dr. Onyski or the dental assistant will give you specifics for your case at your visit.
Wait at least 2 hours before eating after any procedure with anesthesia
Until the anesthesia wears off you can't fully feel your mouth — eating too soon can cause soft tissue damage you won't notice.
Before Your Procedure
Preparing for surgery or anesthesia
Before Anesthesia
- No food or drink for at least 8 hours before surgery.
- No smoking for at least 12 hours before surgery.
- Bring someone with you who can drive you home afterwards.
- On the day of surgery, no jewelry, contact lenses, or dentures.
- Talk to the doctor in advance about any medications you take regularly — some need to be paused, some don't.
After Routine Procedures
Recovering from non-surgical visits
Fillings, root canal, crowns, veneers, deep cleanings — what to expect afterwards.
White Fillings (Bonding)
- Your teeth will be sensitive for a few days after the anesthesia wears off — avoid hot and cold food or drink during that window.
- After the initial sensitivity passes, the treated teeth will feel normal. Stick to your regular brushing and flossing routine.
Root Canal Therapy
- Expect soreness for a few days.
- Avoid chewing on the treated side until the temporary filling sets and the area calms down.
- Take any prescribed antibiotic as directed — it clears any remaining infection.
- Call us if pain or tenderness gets worse, you have a reaction to medication, or the temporary filling falls out.
Crowns & Bridges
- Your temporary crown or bridge is less sturdy than the permanent one — be gentle when brushing and don't pull up when flossing (it can dislodge).
- Avoid sticky or chewy foods while the temporary is in.
- Some sensitivity around the area is normal. A warm salt-water rinse helps; Advil or Tylenol is fine if you need it.
- Once the permanent is placed, it may feel a little awkward for a few days. If your bite feels off after a week, call us — we can adjust it.
- Brush and floss the crown or bridge like a natural tooth.
Veneers
- Treat the temporary like a temporary crown — gentle brushing, no flossing pressure, no sticky foods.
- Some sensitivity after placement is normal and fades as the soft tissue heals.
- When brushing and flossing the permanent veneer, pay close attention to the area where the veneer meets the tooth at the gum line.
Scaling and Root Planing
- Gums will be slightly sore and irritated for a few days.
- Rinse with warm salt water (1 tsp salt to 8 oz water) two or three times a day. It cleans the area and eases discomfort.
- Keep brushing and flossing — but gently around the treated area.
- A cold compress and over-the-counter pain reliever help if there's swelling or stiffness.
- Avoid hard or chewy foods for two to three days.
- Call us if pain or swelling continues past a few days.
After Surgery
Recovering from oral surgery
Extractions, wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, multiple extractions, dental implant surgery.
Extractions
- You'll need someone to drive you home.
- The extraction site will bleed for a little while. Bite down on the gauze and replace it when soaked. If bleeding continues longer than 24 hours, call us.
- Rest at home with your head propped up on a pillow — don't lie flat (it prolongs bleeding).
- Take any prescribed pain medication as directed. An ice pack on the cheek also helps.
- Soft foods only for a few days: pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, ice cream, gelatin, thin soups.
- No straws and no smoking — the suction can dislodge the clot and slow healing.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
- Leave the gauze pad in place for at least 45 minutes after surgery, then discard it.
- No straws and no rinsing the mouth — both can dislodge the blood clot that's forming.
- Limit your activities for the rest of the day. You can return to normal the day after.
- Take pain medication as prescribed before the local anesthetic wears off.
- Call us with any questions during recovery.
Impacted Tooth Removal
- Mild discomfort and some swelling are expected — that's part of the process, not a sign something is wrong.
- Cold compresses on the cheek help with swelling.
- Take prescribed pain medication as directed.
- Favor the surgical side when chewing and modify your diet to soft foods for a few days while the area heals.
Multiple Tooth Extractions
- Maximum swelling typically peaks within two days — both inside the mouth and possibly around the eye on that side.
- If the area around your eye discolors, a warm compress helps.
- The muscles near the extraction site can become sore, sometimes feeling like a sore throat. Normal.
- The corners of your mouth may feel dry or cracked from being held open during surgery. Lip balm helps.
- Dr. Onyski usually schedules a follow-up within 48 hours to check on you and address any concerns.
Dental Implant Surgery
- Take it easy for 48–72 hours — rest helps healing and limits bleeding.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but nothing too cold.
- Apply an ice pack to your face in 20-minute intervals for the first two days.
- If you received upper implants: do NOT blow your nose for two weeks.
- Slight bleeding for about two days is normal. Discomfort usually improves by day three.
- A small temperature increase (1–2 °F) is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Eat when you're hungry, but do not chew directly on the bone graft.
When to Call Us
Don't hesitate if something feels off
Reach out right away if you notice any of these:
- Bleeding that continues longer than 24 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Fever, increasing swelling, or signs of infection
- Loss of a temporary filling, crown, or bridge
- A reaction to prescribed medication
- Anything that just doesn't feel like normal healing
Need to Schedule?
Book a follow-up or new appointment
If you have a question about your recovery or need to come in, we're here to help.