When you complete any procedure here at Artistic Dentistry our team will provide you with instructions on how to prepare for and recover from your treatment. Some of these instructions are included below. If you have any questions or to schedule your consultation with our dentists in Tucson, Arizona, Dr. Luis Keys, Dr. Karina Keys, Dr. or Dr. Lakin Radeka, please contact our team for more information.
Pre- & Post-Operative Dental Instructions
Before Your Dental Procedure
To ensure your safety and the success of your dental treatment, please follow these pre-operative instructions:
- Fasting Guidelines: If sedation or general anesthesia has been scheduled, do not eat any solid foods after midnight before your appointment. If your appointment is later in the day, avoid food for at least eight hours prior. Only clear liquids (such as water or diluted sports drinks) are allowed up to six hours before your appointment.
- Avoid Certain Substances: Do not drink alcohol or use tobacco products 24 hours before surgery. These substances can interfere with healing and anesthesia.
- Medication Restrictions: Please refrain from taking medications such as aspirin, anticoagulants, MAO inhibitors and anti-inflammatories for two days before your procedure unless advised otherwise by your physician.
- Continue Essential Medications: You may take essential medications (such as those for heart, lungs, seizures, Parkinson’s disease or steroid therapy) with a small sip of water unless instructed otherwise.
- Preparation on the Day Of:
- Brush your teeth without swallowing any water or toothpaste.
- Do not wear contact lenses, makeup, nail polish, jewelry or dentures.
- Dress in loose, comfortable clothes. Short sleeves and flat shoes are recommended.
- A parent or legal guardian must accompany minors throughout the entire visit.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for at least 12 hours post-surgery.
If you feel unwell or experience changes in your health the day of your surgery, call our office so we can assess whether rescheduling is necessary.
Post-Op Instructions By Procedure
Dental Crowns & Bridges
After your crown or bridge is placed, wait at least two hours or until the numbness subsides before eating. If you are wearing a temporary crown or bridge, avoid sticky or chewy foods. Brush normally, but pull floss out sideways to avoid dislodging the restoration. If your temporary becomes loose or falls off, contact our office. Mild sensitivity is normal; rinse with warm saltwater or take over-the-counter pain relief as needed.
Dentures
Initial discomfort and changes in speech are common as you adjust to new dentures. Clean dentures daily with a soft brush and non-abrasive cleaner. Remove them for at least six hours each day, preferably overnight, and soak them in water or denture solution. Annual checkups are vital to maintain fit and function. Contact us if discomfort persists or if adjustments are needed.
Tooth Extractions
Expect mild swelling and discomfort for the first two days. Do not eat until the anesthesia wears off. Apply ice packs to minimize swelling and avoid touching the extraction site. Do not use straws, spit forcefully or smoke, as these can disturb the healing site. Keep your head elevated and stick to a soft-food diet for 48 hours. Avoid strenuous activities and follow all prescribed instructions carefully.
Dental Fillings
After a filling, avoid eating for at least two hours or until numbness disappears. Some sensitivity is expected for a few days. Avoid hot, cold or hard foods initially. Rinse with warm saltwater or use pain relievers if needed. Maintain proper brushing and flossing to extend the life of your filling.
Dental Veneers
Post-veneer placement may involve sensitivity and an adjustment period. Avoid eating until the numbness fades. Temporaries may be placed after your initial appointment — avoid sticky foods and floss gently. After final placement, resume normal hygiene practices. Contact us if your bite feels off after a few days.
Gum Surgery
After gum surgery, avoid food for three hours, then maintain a soft diet for several days. Take all medications as prescribed. Some bleeding and swelling are normal. Use ice packs for swelling and moistened gauze for bleeding. Brush gently the first night and resume flossing carefully the next day. Do not smoke, and do not use irrigation devices until advised.
Scaling & Root Planing
For the first 24 hours following scaling and root planing, avoid eating until the numbness fades and do not smoke, exercise vigorously or consume spicy or hot foods. Rinse with saltwater and take non-aspirin pain relievers for discomfort. Brush gently and resume flossing the following day. Use all prescribed rinses and medications as instructed.
Root Canal Treatment
Wait two hours before eating after a root canal. Expect soreness for several days. Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated side until fully healed. Take all medications as directed. Contact us if you experience increasing pain, swelling or if your temporary crown becomes dislodged.
Teeth Whitening
For 48 hours after whitening, avoid staining foods and drinks like red wine, coffee, berries and dark sauces. Use a soft or electric toothbrush and continue regular hygiene visits. Some sensitivity is normal and should resolve within a day. Use provided trays for touch-ups as needed.
Dental Implants
Following your dental implant procedure, it is important to support proper healing and ensure the long-term success of your restoration:
- Diet: Do not eat for at least two hours after surgery or until the local anesthesia has worn off. Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days, avoiding hard, crunchy or spicy foods that could irritate the surgical site.
- Bleeding and Swelling: Mild bleeding and swelling are normal. Bite down gently on gauze for 30–45 minutes to control bleeding. Apply an ice pack in 20-minute intervals during the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
- Oral Hygiene: Avoid brushing the surgical site for the first day. You may gently rinse with warm saltwater (½ teaspoon of salt in 8 oz. of water) starting the following day, but do not spit forcefully.
- Activity and Lifestyle: Rest as much as possible for the first 24–48 hours. Avoid strenuous activity, smoking and alcohol, which can impair healing.
- Medications: Take prescribed antibiotics and pain medication as directed. Contact our office if you experience severe pain, prolonged bleeding or signs of infection.
Keep follow-up appointments as scheduled to monitor healing and plan for your final crown or prosthesis.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
After wisdom teeth extraction, your recovery will take several days. To minimize complications and promote healing:
- Eating and Drinking: Do not eat until the anesthetic has fully worn off. For the first 48 hours, consume only soft, cool foods such as yogurt, smoothies or applesauce. Avoid hot foods, straws and carbonated beverages.
- Bleeding: Minor bleeding is expected for the first 24 hours. Bite on provided gauze pads and change them as needed. If bleeding persists, moisten a tea bag and bite down gently for 30 minutes.
- Swelling and Discomfort: Use ice packs intermittently during the first 24 hours. Swelling may peak around day three before improving. Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications can help manage discomfort.
- Oral Care: Do not rinse your mouth or brush near the extraction sites on the day of surgery. Begin gentle rinsing with saltwater the next day. Resume brushing other areas of your mouth normally.
- Restrictions: Avoid spitting, smoking, strenuous exercise and blowing your nose forcefully, all of which can dislodge the blood clot and cause dry socket.
Contact us right away if you experience excessive pain, swelling or fever.
Bone Grafting
After a bone graft, careful attention to post-op instructions is vital to preserve the graft material and support healing:
- Bleeding: Slight bleeding or oozing is common for the first day. Apply firm pressure using gauze for 30–45 minutes at a time if bleeding continues.
- Diet and Hydration: Stick to soft, cool foods for several days. Avoid anything hot, crunchy or spicy that may disturb the site. Stay hydrated, but do not use straws for the first week.
- Medications: Take all antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed. Avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications unless directed, as they may interfere with healing.
- Oral Hygiene: Do not brush the graft site for the first 48 hours. Use a gentle saltwater rinse starting the day after surgery. Avoid commercial mouthwashes and vigorous rinsing.
- Swelling: Apply cold compresses in 20-minute intervals during the first 24 hours to control swelling. Keep your head elevated when resting or sleeping.
- Smoking: Do not smoke or use tobacco products for at least two weeks. Smoking greatly increases the risk of graft failure.
If you notice persistent swelling, pain or unusual discharge from the surgical site, please call our office promptly.
Schedule Your Follow-Up Visit
To schedule a follow-up appointment or if you have concerns about your recovery, please reach out to our team. We will be happy to help you schedule your visit with our experienced dentists and provide you with more information.