Instructions for Dental
Surgery

1. Leave gauze in for the period of time the staff has recommended. For Difficult extractions and wisdom teeth a minimum of 4 hours.
    
2. Use ice off and on for the rest of the day and part of the next day.
    
3. Place a towel over your pillow case.
    
4. Sleep slightly elevated.
    
5. No exercise or vigorous activity.
    
6. No smoking or other tobacco.
    
7. Straws are okay to use with the gauze packs in place.
    
8. Take pain medications as needed. It is good to alternate a non narcotic pain reliever such as Advil with the narcotic. Assuming you have no allergy or problem with ibuprophen.

One of the biggest problems with difficult extractions is nausea. It is better not to take narcotic meds too soon after surgery, but if you think you must then have food in you before taking narcotic medications.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration Eat soft diet: soup, milk, ice cream or pop. It is important to get food to prevent low sugar condition (hypoglycemia).

Heavy Bleeding?
Do not change gauze. It is messy it stimulates bleeding. Call Dr. Starkey 391-1931. Iced tea helps. If you insist on taking packs out and replacing them then wrap them around water soaked tea bags and bite on them.

There will be swelling. It takes three days to reach maximum in the case of difficult surgery. If you are running a temperature then call Dr. Starkey 391-1931.

Instructions for Dental
Fillings, Restorations

1. Do not chew for one hour after appointment. Liquids are okay. When you do eat chew on the other side where the work was done. The reason is it takes many fillings and cements 24 hours to set hard.
    
2. Hot and cold sensitivity may be experienced. This may occur for 1 day or many days. It should eventually go away. If not call.
    
3. If you lose your temporary then you can just slip back on and call us. If there is going to be a wait or you are out of town get a denture adhesive like Fixodent and place it in the crown and put it back on. Do keep the temporary it will save you time in dental chair.

Instructions for Dental
Root Canal Therapy

1. Avoid the affected side for twenty-four hours.
    
2. You may need to take a pain reliever like Advil. You will in some cases have pain for 24 hours and then it should go away.
    
3. If you experience a high bite and it is causing pain call us.
    
4. If you run a temperature or notice swelling that is not normal and you should call us.