Your Comprehensive Guide to a Smooth Recovery After Dental Treatment At Pflugerville Family Dentistry, our goal is to make your recovery after dental treatment as comfortable and successful as possible. Whether you’ve had a dental implant, root canal, scaling and root planing, or orthodontic care, following the right post-op instructions can make a significant difference in your healing process. Below, you’ll find detailed after-care instructions for each type of dental procedure performed at our Pflugerville, TX dental office.
After Dental Implant Placement
A certain amount of swelling, bleeding, and discomfort is normal after dental implant surgery. To promote optimal healing:
Bite down firmly on the gauze pack placed after surgery for at least 30 minutes. Replace as needed.
Avoid excessive bleeding; if bright red blood continues, contact our Pflugerville dental office immediately.
Eat soft, nutritious foods before taking prescribed medications.
Take antibiotics as directed until finished.
Use prescribed pain medications and over-the-counter options like Advil (if no allergy).
Avoid rinsing, spitting, or brushing near the surgical site for 48–72 hours.
Apply ice packs for 30 minutes on/off during the first 48 hours.
Do not stretch your lip to inspect the area as this can disturb healing.
If you have a temporary flipper or healing cap, do not bite or chew on it.
If swelling, pain, or bleeding worsens, call our implant dentist in Pflugerville, TX right away.
Fluoride Treatment After-Care
Fluoride varnish helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay.
Leave the varnish on for six hours after application.
Avoid hot or alcoholic beverages during this time.
Do not brush or floss until the next morning.
Skip supplemental fluoride for three to four days unless otherwise directed.
Night Guard Care Instructions
If you’ve received a custom night guard at our Pflugerville dental office:
Rinse with warm water before and after use.
Clean with mild soap and warm water, and avoid hot water or mouthwash.
Store dry and out of direct sunlight.
Bring your night guard to every dental cleaning appointment.
If it becomes loose or uncomfortable, call our office for an adjustment.
Root Canal Treatment After-Care
Root canal therapy removes infection and saves the natural tooth. After treatment:
Avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth for several days.
Expect mild tenderness for up to a week.
Use over-the-counter pain relief (Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve) as needed.
Contact us if you experience severe pain, swelling, or fever.
Continue brushing and flossing, but avoid sticky foods that may loosen your temporary filling.
Schedule your final restoration (crown) promptly; it protects the tooth from reinfection or fracture.
For expert care, trust our root canal dentist in Pflugerville, TX, for comprehensive endodontic therapy and follow-up care.
Temporary Crown or Bridge Care
If you received a temporary crown or bridge:
Avoid chewing until the numbness has worn off.
Avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that can dislodge the temporary.
Brush gently and floss carefully and slide floss out from the side.
Rinse with warm salt water to ease gum soreness.
If your temporary crown comes off, replace it if possible and call our office to re-cement it.
Dental Fillings After-Care
After receiving a composite (white) filling:
Wait until numbness wears off before chewing.
Some sensitivity to temperature or pressure is normal for several days.
Contact us if your bite feels uneven, as a simple adjustment will fix it.
Avoid waiting too long to correct a “high” filling, as it can cause pain or toothache.
Immediate Dentures After Extractions
If you’ve had multiple teeth extracted and immediate dentures placed:
Keep dentures in place for the first 24 hours.
Follow up within 24 to 48 hours for removal and evaluation.
Clean dentures after meals with warm water and a soft toothbrush.
Avoid adhesive near stitches.
Expect normal swelling, tenderness, and minor bruising for up to 10 days.
Eat soft foods and keep your lips moisturized with Vaseline.
Contact us if you experience a fever over 101.5°F or persistent bleeding.
Our team provides compassionate follow-up care for patients receiving full or partial dentures in Pflugerville, TX to ensure comfort and fit.
Orthodontic (Braces) Care
What to expect:
Mild jaw soreness and tooth tenderness for a few days.
Wax can be applied to brackets to relieve irritation.
Slight gum swelling is normal; keep up with brushing and flossing.
If a wire or bracket loosens, gently push it into place with the eraser end of a pencil and call us for an appointment.
Avoid These Foods:
Hard or chewy foods like corn on the cob, nuts, and bagels
Sticky candies such as taffy, caramel, or licorice
Crunchy snacks and chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails
For the best results, follow Dr. Mun’s orthodontic instructions carefully and wear your rubber bands as directed.
Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning) After-Care
After your deep cleaning in Pflugerville:
Expect mild tenderness, slight bleeding, or sensitivity for a few days.
Rinse with warm salt water several times a day.
Use ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Tylenol for discomfort.
Brush and floss gently but thoroughly after every meal.
Use prescribed chlorhexidine rinse twice daily as directed.
Avoid eating until numbness has worn off.
Scaling and root planing are essential to managing gum disease in Pflugerville, TX, helping prevent bone loss and tooth mobility.