Before And After Care

Pre And Post-Operative Instructions For Successful Treatment

At Gentle Endodontics, we want to make sure that you have the best care, and that means you are adequately prepared for surgery and ensuring your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. For your convenience, we have outlined our before and after care instructions for both root canal and frenectomy treatments below. It is important to note that you should thoroughly read and follow any before and after care instructions you personally receive from Dr. Black.

Before And After Care: Pre-Operative Instructions

Before your operation with Gentle Endodontics, make sure to avoid smoking or excessive drinking, which may negatively impact your operation. Patients receiving local anesthesia are able to drive themselves to and from the appointment, but if you have any concerns, you may arrange to have someone else drive you to and from the office.

Unless Dr. Black tells you otherwise, you can take any of your daily medications as usual. If you have questions about any specific medications, make sure to reach out and ask us before your procedure date first.

As long as you are not being put under—receiving anesthesia—you can eat a normal breakfast or lunch before your procedure. We do ask that you avoid caffeine before your treatment, however, so please avoid coffee, tea or other caffeinated drinks.

For the best outcome, prepare for your aftercare before you receive treatment—you should plan to grocery shop before your appointment and not after. Avoid any hard, crunchy, hot or spicy foods. Instead, opt for soft, cold and liquid foods, which will help soothe your pain and be easier to chew and swallow during your recovery. Patients should also avoid chewing directly on the affected tooth. Instead, chew on the other side of the mouth.

We recommend the following foods:

  • Greek yogurt

  • Ice cream

  • Smoothies

  • Jell-O

  • Pudding

  • Protein shakes

  • Oatmeal

  • Mashed potatoes

  • Bananas

  • Applesauce

  • Soft scrambled eggs

  • Hummus

  • Lukewarm soup, like cream of chicken

  • Lukewarm bone broth

Before And AfterCare: Postoperative Care
Instructions

After surgery, you may experience some mild discomfort, pain and swelling. Call us as soon as possible at (434) 333-0382 if you notice a bad taste in the mouth or signs of infection such as fever, severe pain, swelling or pus. Follow the specific aftercare guidelines you receive from Dr. Black and don’t hesitate to reach out to our office if you have questions.

Typical post-operative instructions for both root canal and frenectomies include:

  • Take pain medication: We usually recommend over-the-counter pain medications, such as Advil or Tylenol, but if you have any questions about pain relief and pain management, don’t hesitate to ask.

  • Keep the affected area clean: Root canal patients may gently rinse the surgical area, but avoid directly brushing and flossing the surgical area until Dr. Black tells you it is acceptable to do so. You can also use antibacterial mouthwash to clean the area. Frenectomy patients may use specified mouthwash and brush the biting surfaces of the teeth, but should avoid cleaning the areas directly around the surgical dressing.

  • Avoid exercise and other strenuous activities: Limit your activity level and refrain from working out for two days to a week or as instructed by our team.

  • Refrain from smoking: Using tobacco and nicotine products can slow down your recovery and lead to complications. It is best to avoid smoking entirely.

  • Take a couple of days off of work or school, if necessary: Depending on your procedure, you may need to arrange to miss a few days of work or school in order to properly recover.

  • Do your post-operative exercises: In order to ensure proper mobility after the procedure, frenectomy patients should perform the necessary tongue exercises as instructed by Dr. Black.