After Your Endodontic Microsurgery

The first 24 hours

Lift or pull your lip to look at the area. It can tear the tissue and slow healing.
Rinse your mouth for the first 12 hours.
Exercise or smoke for 24 hours.
Eat crusty, hard or hot foods for 24 hours.
Take aspirin or medicines that contain it.

Ice the area with gentle pressure: 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for 1 to 2 hours.
Eat and drink enough. Soft, cold foods like yogurt, pudding and ice cream are best. Meal replacement drinks work well if eating is hard.
Take any prescribed medicine as directed.
Sleep with your head slightly raised the first night.

Slight swelling, bruising, mild discomfort and a small amount of bleeding during the first 24 hours are normal.

After the first 12 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) after each meal and at bedtime.
Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol, like Listerine or Scope.
Brush carefully with a soft toothbrush. Do not brush or floss the surgical area.

Call 801-278-3636 right away for heavy bleeding, increasing swelling or fever.

A follow-up visit has been scheduled to remove your stitches and check healing.

It is normal for the tooth to be tender to biting and chewing while it heals. Complete healing can take up to 6 months.

You can start brushing, flossing and chewing carefully. Aggressive cleaning can damage healing tissue.
If cleaning causes pain or bleeding, stop, rinse with warm salt water 3 to 4 times a day, and wait a few more days.

For discomfort, one of these may help:

Call us if discomfort is not controlled or swelling develops. Please have your pharmacy’s phone number ready.

A short follow-up exam to check healing is included at no extra charge. Please call us about 6 months after surgery to schedule it.