Choose the procedure you had and review the key instructions for the first day, the next few days, and when to call our Sarasota dental team. If our office gave you different instructions, follow those first.
Important: Heavy bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, rapidly increasing facial swelling, fever, allergic reaction symptoms, or severe pain that is not improving should be treated urgently. Call our office, and if symptoms feel severe or unsafe, seek emergency medical care.
First 24 hours
Next few days
Food & activity
Do this
Avoid this
Comfort tips
Call us if
Pain medicine for adults
Use the written or prescribed medication plan from your dentist first. Before adding an over-the-counter medicine, check the prescription label for acetaminophen (also called APAP) or an NSAID so you do not take the same ingredient twice.
Ibuprofen, only if approved for you
If no pain medicine was prescribed and your dentist, physician, or pharmacist has confirmed NSAIDs are safe for you: take 600 mg (three 200 mg tablets) with food every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
Tylenol if more relief is needed
If acetaminophen is safe for you, alternate 500 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Keep each medicine's doses 6 to 8 hours apart and write down the time and amount of every dose.
Safety first: This is a short-term suggestion for adults only. Do not exceed 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours unless your clinician gives different instructions. Ask before using ibuprofen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take blood thinners, react to aspirin or NSAIDs, or have ulcers, stomach bleeding, kidney disease, or serious heart disease. Ask before using acetaminophen if you have liver disease or regularly drink three or more alcoholic drinks a day. Do not use any medicine you are allergic to. For anyone under 12, call us for weight-based guidance.
Most healing has some soreness, swelling, tenderness, or mild bleeding depending on the procedure. These are the situations where we want you to reach out quickly.
Bleeding that does not slow after firm pressure with gauze.
Swelling that is rapidly getting worse, spreading toward the eye or neck, or affects breathing or swallowing.
Fever, chills, pus, foul taste, or pain that gets worse after initially improving.
A temporary crown, bridge, healing cap, implant part, suture, or appliance comes loose.
You are unsure about a medication, antibiotic, mouth rinse, or instruction we gave you.
Common questions
Post-op questions patients usually ask
Can I eat after dental treatment?
Usually yes, but wait until numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek, lip, or tongue. Start with soft foods and follow the specific instructions for your procedure.
Can I brush and floss?
Keep your mouth clean, but be gentle around the treatment area. Avoid brushing directly over surgical sites until our team says it is safe.
Is pain normal after treatment?
Some tenderness can be normal. Pain that becomes severe, gets worse after a few days, or does not improve with the plan we recommended should be checked.
What can an adult take for pain?
Follow the medication plan prescribed or written by your dentist first. If nothing was prescribed, the selected procedure includes our short-term adult OTC plan and the safety checks to review before using ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Call us or ask your pharmacist if you are unsure whether either medicine is safe with your health history or current prescriptions.
Can I smoke or vape after oral surgery?
Smoking and vaping can delay healing and raise the risk of dry socket or implant/graft complications. Avoid it for as long as possible, especially during the first several days.
This page is general education for Z Family Dental patients and is not a substitute for personalized instructions from your dentist, periodontist, endodontic provider, physician, or pharmacist. Your medical history, medications, procedure details, and healing response can change what is safest for you.
