Post-Op Instructions

Following a dental procedure, it is important that you follow the instructions provided by our dentists as closely as possible.  This will ensure that you heal properly and avoid any complications with your treatment. Dr. Alfonso Gonzalez, Dr. Chela Gonzalez, and Dr. Maria Gonzalez have provided some guidelines on this page, and we will give you more detailed instructions following your treatment.

As a rule of thumb, you should always wait 2 hours after surgery before eating to ensure that the anesthesia wears off.  This will help you avoid damaging any of your soft tissues while chewing.

Root Canal Therapy

Following your root canal treatment, you can expect to feel sore for a few days.  We recommend that you:

• Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth
• Use antibiotics and other prescribed medications as directed

If you notice an increasing amount of pain or tenderness, experience a reaction to medication, or if your temporary restoration falls out, please contact our dentists at once.

Crowns & Bridges

Our dentists will provide you with a temporary crown or bridge while your permanent restoration is being made.  As your temporary is not as stable, you will need to be careful when eating and cleaning your teeth.  You should:

• Brush gently, and do not pull up on the tooth when flossing
• Avoid sticky or chewy foods

You may experience some sensitivity and irritation following the placement of both the temporary and permanent restorations.  This typically subsides after the soft tissue heals.  Rinsing with warm salt water or using mild pain medication can help.

If your bite feels abnormal in any way following placement of your permanent restoration, please contact our office so that we can make adjustment.  You should care for your crown or bridge as you would your original teeth by maintaining good oral hygiene habits.

Composite Dental Fillings/Dental Bonding

Your teeth may be sensitive after the anesthesia from your treatment wears off.  We recommend that you avoid hot and cold foods or drinks for several days.  Continue to brush and floss regularly to maintain good oral health and ensure that your fillings will last for a long time.

Scaling Root Planing

Your gums may be slightly sore and irritated for several days following your scaling and root planing procedure.  We recommend that you:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp. salt in 8 oz. water) 2-3 times a day to relieve pain and clean the area
• Continue brushing and flossing as normal, but do so gently so that you do not irritate the area further
• Place a cold compress or ice pack over the area to relieve swelling
• Take mild pain relievers to manage pain
• Avoid hard or chewy foods for 2-3 days following your treatment

If you continue to experience pain or swelling after a few days, contact our dentists.

Dental Veneers

Our dentists will provide you with a temporary veneer while your permanent veneers are being designed and fabricated.  These temporaries are not as durable as your permanent veneers will be, so you will need to take care when brushing and eating.  We recommend that you:

• Brush gently
• Do not pull up on the area when flossing
• Avoid chewy and sticky foods

If you experience sensitivity or irritation, we recommend that you rinse with warm salt water or take a mild pain reliever.

Your veneer may feel awkward for a few days as your mouth adjusts to the treatment.  If your bite feels abnormal in any way after 1 week, please contact our dentists.  We also advise that you pay close attention to the area between the veneer and your tooth at the gum line to ensure that your mouth remains in good health and that there are no problems with your veneers.

Tooth Extractions

You will need to rest following your surgery.  Due to the anesthesia used during your treatment, you will need to have someone available to drive you home.

The surgical site will bleed for a little while after the procedure.  Our dentists will place gauze at the site, and you will need to change it when it becomes soaked.  If bleeding continues for more than 24 hours, contact our office.

We recommend that you:

• Do not lie flat until after the bleeding stops. Instead, prop your head up on a pillow
• Use all prescribed medications as directed
• Place an ice pack on the cheek over the surgical site to help relieve pain and swelling
• Use any prescribed cleaning solutions as directed
• Maintain a “soft” diet for several days. Recommended foods include: gelatin, pudding, yogurt, mashed potatoes, ice cream, thin soups, and other foods you can eat without chewing
• Do not use a straw
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products

If you experienced prolonged pain, irritation, or bleeding, or if you do not feel that the extraction site is healing properly, please contact our dentists.

Teeth Whitening

Following your whitening appointment, your teeth will most likely be sensitive.  This sensitivity is normal and should go away within 2-3 days.  There is no permanent damage done to teeth during the whitening process.

To enjoy the best results from your treatment, we recommend that you avoid foods, beverages, and other substances that stain the teeth, such as:

• Red wine, cola, coffee, and tea
• Berries (cherries, blueberries, strawberries, etc.)
• Tobacco products

We also advise that you maintain good oral hygiene and keep all your regular dental appointments, as this will help minimize future staining.  You may use whitening trays at home for touch-ups as needed, or return to our office periodically for in-office whitening treatments. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about your teeth whitening procedure.

If you have any questions about our post-op instructions, or if you would like to schedule a follow up with our dentists in Redwood City or San Francisco, California, please call Gonzalez Dental Care.