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PhonePhone - 303-425-1000 Text - 303-425-1000Location9920 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster, CO 80021FormsNew Patient Forms
Arbor Dental Group office

Post-Op Care in Westminster, CO

After your dental treatments, Dr. Matthew Strange, Dr. Wesley Fichera and Dr. Ashley Kaploe will provide you with post-op instructions. Please follow these instructions closely to make the most of your care and recover from your procedures without complications. Below are just a few of these instructions for your convenience. If you have questions about these post-op instructions or to make an appointment with our dentists in Westminster, Colorado, call Arbor Dental Group at 303-425-1000.

General Care After Most Dental Procedures

  • Bleeding: If bleeding occurs, place firm pressure with clean gauze for 20-30 minutes without checking constantly. Repeat as needed. A small amount of pink saliva can be normal for the first day.
  • Swelling: Use a cold pack on the outside of the face (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off) for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, warm compresses may help.
  • Pain control: Take medications exactly as directed. If you were advised to use over-the-counter options, follow the label directions. Do not take more than recommended.
  • Diet: Start with soft, cool foods. Avoid very hot foods and beverages for the first day. Drink plenty of water.
  • Oral hygiene: Brush gently and keep the area clean. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, gently rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of water) 3-4 times daily.
  • Do not smoke or vape: This can delay healing and increase complications.
  • Activity: Avoid heavy exercise for 24-48 hours or as instructed.

Dental Implant Post-Op Instructions

  • Do not disturb the site: Avoid pulling the lip to look at it or touching it with fingers or your tongue.
  • Chewing: Do not chew directly on the implant site until your dentist says it is safe. Stay on a soft diet as directed.
  • Rinsing and brushing: Brush normally but be gentle around the implant area. Begin gentle salt-water rinses after 24 hours unless told otherwise.
  • Temporary tooth or flipper: Wear and care for it exactly as instructed. Do not force it into place if it feels tight or painful.
  • Call us right away if: increasing swelling after day 3, pus or foul taste, fever, persistent heavy bleeding, or the implant site becomes significantly more painful instead of improving.

Denture Post-Op Instructions

  • Soreness and pressure spots are common: New dentures often need adjustments. Do not try to "fix" them yourself.
  • Immediate denture wear: If you received an immediate denture, wear it as instructed, often continuously for the first day to control swelling. Remove only if your dentist told you to.
  • Cleaning: Rinse dentures after meals. Brush dentures daily with a denture brush and denture cleanser. Do not use hot water, which can warp them.
  • Overnight wear: Unless instructed otherwise, remove dentures at night to let tissues rest.
  • Adhesive: Use adhesive only if recommended. If you need more and more adhesive to keep dentures stable, schedule an adjustment.
  • Call us if: you cannot wear them due to pain, you develop sores that do not improve, or your bite feels uneven.

Dental Crown Post-Op Instructions

  • Numbness: Be careful not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue while numb.
  • Temporary crown care: Avoid sticky foods (gum, caramel) and very hard foods. Chew on the opposite side when possible. Floss carefully: slide floss out to the side instead of lifting up.
  • Sensitivity: Mild temperature sensitivity can be normal for a short time. If sensitivity persists, contact our office.
  • If your temporary crown comes off: Keep it, avoid chewing on that side and call us as soon as possible.

Clear Aligner Post-Op Instructions

  • Wear time: Wear aligners as prescribed, typically 20-22 hours per day, removing only for eating, drinking anything except water and cleaning.
  • Soreness or pressure: Mild tightness is normal when starting a new tray. This usually improves in a few days.
  • Oral hygiene: Brush and floss after meals before reinserting aligners to help prevent cavities and staining.
  • Cleaning aligners: Rinse with cool water and clean gently. Avoid hot water, which can warp aligners.
  • Attachments or buttons: If an attachment feels sharp or irritating, call us for advice. If an attachment comes off, contact us promptly.
  • Do not skip trays: If you lose a tray, call us for next steps.

Other Common Procedure Post-Op Instructions

After Fillings

  • Avoid chewing until numbness wears off. Brief sensitivity can occur. If your bite feels "high," call us for an adjustment.

After Extractions

  • Do not use straws, spit forcefully or smoke for at least 72 hours. These can cause a painful dry socket. Stick to soft foods and follow the bleeding instructions above.

After Deep Cleaning (Scaling And Root Planing)

  • Mild soreness and sensitivity are common. Use gentle brushing and follow any rinse instructions provided. Avoid very spicy or acidic foods for a day or two if tissues are tender.

When To Call The Office

Contact us immediately if you have:

  • Heavy bleeding that does not slow after repeated firm pressure
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Fever, worsening swelling after day 3, or signs of infection (pus, spreading redness)
  • Severe pain not relieved by prescribed or recommended medication
  • An allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling of face/lips)