If you have severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For anything else, call us at
(661) 857-7662.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTION AFTER - APICOECTOMY (ROOT-END SURGERY)
- FIRST DAY: Rest today. Normal light activity is fine, but no heavy exercise or lifting for the next 48 hours.
- SWELLING: Some swelling and bruising are normal and usually peak in 2–3 days. Hold an ice pack on your face over the area, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first day.
- DISCOMFORT: Mild soreness for a few days is normal. Take your pain medicine as Dr. Kim told you, before the numbness wears off.
- STITCHES: Do not pull up your lip or cheek to look at the area. This can tear the stitches. Come back for your stitch check as scheduled.
- BLEEDING: A little pink saliva is normal on the first day. If it keeps bleeding, bite gently on damp gauze for 30 minutes.
- EATING: Eat soft, cool foods for the first 2 days. Chew on the other side.
- CLEANING: Brush your other teeth as usual. Brush very gently near the surgery area. Starting tomorrow, rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz (1 cup) of warm water) after meals.
- SMOKING: Do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Smoking slows healing.
- UPPER BACK TEETH: If your surgery was on an upper back tooth, do not blow your nose hard for 1 week. Sneeze with your mouth open.
- CALL US: If swelling gets worse after day 3, you have a fever, or the pain is not controlled by your medicine, call the office at 661-857-7662.
- EMERGENCY: CALL 911 if you pass out, have trouble breathing or swallowing, or your throat feels tight.
Before a surgery — preparation
A few days before
- Tell us about all your health problems, medicines, and allergies. Take medicines only as prescribed.
- Do not stop any medicine unless your doctor tells you to — ask us.
- If you take, or have taken, a bone medicine (for osteoporosis or cancer), tell us. Do not stop or change it on your own.
- No smoking or alcohol. They slow healing.
- Brush and floss well.
- If we prescribed an antibiotic to start before surgery, start it 2 days before, so surgery day is your 3rd day. A probiotic with it is recommended.
The night before / day of
- Laughing gas and sedation each have their own sheet: Before Your Nitrous Oxide and Before Your Oral Sedation.
- Plan to rest the day of surgery — no heavy exercise or lifting for 48 hours after.
- Have a ride home ready so you can go straight home and rest.
- If PRF is planned: we take a small amount of blood from your arm — wear short or loose sleeves.
What to bring / have ready at home
- Your prescription, if we gave you one
- An ice pack
- Soft, cool foods for the first 2 days
Call us if
- You have unusual pain, swelling, fever, or numbness before your surgery.
- If you have a bad cold or a fever, call us — we will move your surgery to another day.
- You start a new medicine.
- Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or your throat feels tight.
Questions? Call Noa Dental at (661) 857-7662.
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