After your visit
Post-op instructions
Follow the section for today's treatment. We're here if you have questions.
Jump to your treatment
For every procedure.
- Take medicines as prescribed.
- No smoking or alcohol for 48 to 72 hours.
Extractions
- Bleeding: Bite on gauze 30 to 45 minutes. No spitting, straws or rinsing for 24 hours.
- Pain and swelling: Ice 20 minutes on, 20 off.
- Cleaning: No rinsing or brushing the area for 24 hours; then gentle warm salt-water rinses.
- Food: Soft foods; nothing hot, spicy or hard.
- Rest: Avoid hard exercise for 24 hours.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Fillings
- Numbness: Don't chew until it wears off.
- Sensitivity: Normal for a few days.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Deep cleaning
- Sensitivity is normal for a few days.
- Brush and floss gently; warm salt-water rinses help.
- Soft foods for 1 to 2 days.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Crowns and bridges
- Temporary: Avoid sticky or hard foods.
- Final: Mild sensitivity is normal. Bite feel uneven? Call us.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Implants
- First 24 hours: No rinsing, spitting or straws. Ice as needed.
- Cleaning: Gentle brushing after 24 hours; use the rinse as directed.
- Food: Soft foods for 1 week; chew on the other side.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Gum surgery
- Don't disturb or brush the area.
- Ice 20 minutes on, 20 off for swelling.
- Soft foods; avoid hot and spicy foods.
- No smoking.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Apicoectomy
- Ice 20 minutes on, 20 off.
- Warm salt-water rinses after 24 hours; don't brush the area for 3 days.
- Soft foods only.
Dentures
- Wear as directed and remove at night.
- Brush daily and soak overnight.
- Call us about sore spots.
About this treatment: Fort Worth · Glen Rose
Call us if you have:
- Severe pain or swelling after 3 days
- Bleeding that won't stop
- A fever or chills
Had a deep cleaning? See the full gum therapy post-op guide. Gum therapy post-op
Had a root canal? See the root canal post-op guide. Root canal post-op
Questions or concerns?
Call the office where you were treated.
Fort Worth office
7540 S Hulen St
Fort Worth, TX 76133
(817) 294-1090
fortworth@polishedfamilydental.com
Glen Rose office
104 Spanish Oak Trail
Glen Rose, TX 76043
(254) 897-3143
glenrose@polishedfamilydental.com
Last updated October 2026. These are general instructions; if your doctor gave you different directions, follow those.