Aftercare

Bringing it home

Step-by-step aftercare for every treatment, written by our dentists. Pick yours below.

A wooden toothbrush and Truly toothpaste

Aftercare

Full mouth implants

How to look after your mouth and temporary teeth after full-arch implant surgery. You will also have been sedated, so read the sedation aftercare too.

Full guide (PDF)

First 48 hours

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Don't bite your cheek, lip or tongue; avoid hot food and drinks.
Rest, and take the medication your dentist prescribed exactly as directed.
Pink saliva is normal for up to 48 hours, even on your pillow. Avoid very hot drinks.
If bleeding is heavier, press damp gauze on the area with your finger for 20–30 minutes.
Swelling can last 3–14 days. For 24–48 hours, use a cold compress 20 minutes on, 20 off, while awake.

Eating & drinking

Don't spit for 24 hours or use a straw; take small sips of water instead.
Drink 6–8 glasses of water, spread through the day, for the first 48 hours.
Follow a liquid diet only for the first 4 weeks.
From week 4, eat a soft diet: if you can't mash it with a fork, don't eat it.
Do not eat hard foods until your implants have integrated and your final teeth are fitted (2–3 months).

Cleaning

Don't feel the area with your tongue or lift your lip or cheek to look at it.
From the day after surgery, rinse with 10ml chlorhexidine (e.g. Corsodyl) for 1 minute, 3 times daily, for 2 weeks.
Don't brush the implant site for 48 hours, and don't floss around it for 2 weeks.
After 2–3 days, brush the site very gently with a soft brush. Never use an electric toothbrush there.
For a bad taste or smell, rinse with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water, especially after meals.

Activity & recovery

Do not smoke at all in the first week. Stopping completely gives your implants the best chance.
Avoid raising your heart rate for 48 hours, then exercise lightly only. Resume normal exercise from week 2.
Sleep with your head raised above your heart to reduce bleeding.
Only wear dentures when your dentist says so, and leave them out at night.
Stitches usually dissolve within 4–10 days; some can last 4 weeks or more. There are no flying restrictions.

Your temporary teeth

Temporary teeth are smaller and designed to break if overloaded, so stick to your soft diet.
Teeth may feel big, and small holes at the back are screw channels. Both are normal.
Speech can be affected for up to 4 weeks. Keep talking and it will improve.
Grinding at night can crack temporary teeth. If this happens, your dentist will make you a night guard.
Attend your review (often at 4–8 weeks), then a maintenance visit at least every 12 months.

Call your clinic if

Bleeding continues for more than 30 minutes despite steady pressure and you are concerned.
Your temporary teeth break. Don't panic; a new set needs to be made, so call promptly.

Aftercare

Dental implants

What to expect and how to care for your mouth in the first two weeks after implant surgery, and long term.

Full guide (PDF)

First 48 hours

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Don't bite your cheek, lip or tongue; avoid hot food and drinks.
Rest, and take the medication your dentist prescribed exactly as directed.
A pink tinge to your saliva is normal for up to 48 hours. Avoid very hot drinks.
If bleeding is heavier, press damp gauze on the area with your finger for 20–30 minutes.
Swelling can last 3–5 days. Use a cold compress 20 minutes on, 20 off, while awake, for 24–48 hours.

Eating & drinking

Don't spit for 24 hours or use a straw; take small sips of water instead.
Drink 6–8 glasses of water, spread through the day, for the first 48 hours.
Eat soft foods only, on the other side of your mouth, for 1–2 weeks.
Good choices: soup, scrambled eggs, smoothies, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, pasta and cooked vegetables.
Avoid hard, sticky, chewy or crunchy foods, and anything acidic that irritates the area.

Cleaning

Don't feel the area with your tongue or lift your lip or cheek to look at it.
From the day after surgery, rinse with 10ml chlorhexidine (e.g. Corsodyl) for 1 minute, 3 times daily, for 2 weeks.
Brush other teeth as normal. Don't brush the implant site for 48 hours, or floss there for 2 weeks.
After 2–3 days, brush the site very gently with a soft brush. Never use an electric toothbrush there.
For a bad taste or smell, rinse with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water, especially after meals.

What to avoid

Do not smoke at all in the first week. Stopping completely gives your implant the best chance.
Avoid exercise for the first 24–48 hours to prevent bleeding.
Only wear dentures when your dentist says so, and leave them out at night.
Jaw stiffness is common and passes in 1–2 weeks. Gently massaging your jaw helps.

Healing & long-term care

Stitches usually dissolve within 4–10 days, unless your dentist booked you in to remove them.
White tissue or a small silver cap at the site is normal healing.
Your implant usually takes about 3 months to integrate. Your final tooth is fitted after a review.
Brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
Have a check-up and scale and polish every 6 months.

Call your clinic if

Bleeding continues for more than 30 minutes despite steady pressure and you are concerned.
Your temporary tooth moves or comes off.

Aftercare

Tooth extraction

How to help the socket heal in the first week after a tooth is removed, including extra care if you had a bone graft.

Full guide (PDF)

What to expect

A medicated pack is placed in the socket. Leave it alone; your body dissolves it.
Any stitches will either dissolve over 5–10 days or be removed at the clinic.
The area will feel sore, like a cut, and should ease over a couple of days.
Some bleeding is normal; you may wake with blood and saliva on your pillow.

First 48 hours

If it bleeds, bite firmly on damp gauze for 1 hour.
Do not spit, rinse or drink through a straw.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol, and avoid physical exertion.
Don't touch the area with your fingers or tongue.
Eat soft foods only, on the other side of your mouth. Take pain relief or antibiotics as prescribed.

48 hours to 1 week

Restart your usual brushing, cleaning very gently around the site with a soft toothbrush.
Rinse after every meal with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water.
Keep eating on the other side of your mouth, and finish any prescribed antibiotics.

If you had a bone graft

Don't touch the wound or pull your lip to look at the stitches; the graft can move.
Avoid pressure from your tongue, fingers or hard and crunchy foods.
When you start rinsing after 48 hours, rinse very gently.
Do not smoke for at least 48 hours under any circumstances.

Aftercare

Bone grafting

How to protect a new bone graft so it heals well and is ready for a future implant.

Full guide (PDF)

What to expect

Some bleeding or oozing the day after is normal.
Small granules of graft material may come out for the first several days. This is normal.
Pain, bruising and swelling may peak 2–3 days after the procedure.
The gum can take several weeks to heal, and the graft up to several months to stabilise.

Pain & swelling

Place ice packs on your face over the area every couple of hours.
Sleep with your head raised, and avoid physical exertion.
Take any pain relief and antibiotics prescribed by your dentist as directed.

Eating & what to avoid

Eat only bland, soft foods on the other side of your mouth, such as soup, soft eggs or smoothies.
Don't press on the site with your tongue, fingers, or hard, crunchy or sticky foods.
Don't touch the site or pull your lip to look at it; the graft can move.
Do not smoke, vape or drink alcohol.
Do not spit, rinse or drink through a straw for 3 days.

Cleaning

After 24 hours, brush gently with a soft brush, avoiding the site and stitches.
Let toothpaste drip into the sink rather than spitting.
After 3 days, rinse with warm salty water after meals.
Also use 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse (such as Corsodyl) once a day before bed.
Use the syringe provided to flush trapped food gently, never aiming into the wound.

Aftercare

Conscious sedation

How to prepare for treatment under conscious sedation and what to do in the 24 hours afterwards.

Full guide (PDF)

Before your appointment

Arrange a responsible adult to bring you, take you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
Arrange care for any children or dependants for the full 24 hours after.
Keep taking your usual medication unless your dentist says otherwise.
No smoking for 24 hours before, and no alcohol or recreational drugs for 48 hours before.
Tell us if you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

On the day

You may eat a light meal up to 4 hours before.
Drink plenty of water the day before, but nothing in the 2 hours before.
Remove face and mouth piercings, and don't wear nail polish.
Wear flat shoes, loose clothing and a short-sleeved top if possible.

First 24 hours

You will rest in the waiting room until the dentist is happy for you to leave.
Sedation can affect your thinking and reaction times for up to 24 hours.
Your escort must take you home by car or taxi, not public transport or a long walk.
Rest at home, and keep taking your usual medication.
You can eat and drink as you feel like it.

What to avoid for 24 hours

Do not drive or operate machinery.
Do not go back to work or make important decisions.
Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
Do not care for dependants or breastfeed.
Avoid strenuous activity or exercise.

Aftercare

Root canal

What to expect between root canal visits and how to protect the treated tooth afterwards.

Full guide (PDF)

After each visit

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Don't bite your cheek, lip or tongue; avoid hot food and drinks.
Don't eat, drink or touch the temporary filling with your tongue for at least 30 minutes.
Tenderness is normal and usually eases within 2–5 days. Take any prescribed medication as advised.
Jaw stiffness is common. Avoid chewing gum, eat softer foods and massage your jaw and face.

With a temporary filling

Small bits of temporary cement may come away. This is normal.
Avoid very sticky or hard foods, such as toffees, crunchy bread or nuts.
Avoid chewy, sticky or hard foods on the treated side.
The tooth may feel rougher or shorter until the permanent restoration is placed.

Long-term care

Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to protect the treated tooth.
A crown is usually recommended, as root-treated teeth are weaker and can crack.
Book your crown appointment before you leave, in the timeframe your dentist advises.
Front teeth may darken over the following months. Ask your dentist about options.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and cleanings.

Call your clinic if

Your temporary filling falls out.

Aftercare

Crowns

How to look after your temporary crown while your permanent one is made, and how to care for the permanent crown.

Full guide (PDF)

With your temporary crown

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Don't bite your cheek, lip or tongue; avoid hot food and drinks.
Don't eat for 1 hour after the appointment while the cement sets.
For up to 1 week, chew on the other side of your mouth.
Avoid sticky or hard foods, such as toffees, chewing gum, nuts and crusty bread.
Sensitivity to hot or cold for a day or two is normal. Use a sensitive toothpaste.

Cleaning the temporary crown

Brush gently around the gum line of the temporary crown.
Floss gently, sliding the floss out sideways near the gum rather than pulling it up.
Rinse with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water after meals.
Small bits of cement may come away. This is normal.

If your temporary crown comes off

Clean the inside, put a little Vaseline on its base and place it back over your tooth.
Contact us as soon as possible; leaving the tooth unprotected risks it breaking or shifting.

After your permanent crown

Don't eat for 1 hour while the permanent cement sets.
The crown may feel strange or tight for the first 48 hours. This settles.
Mild discomfort should ease in 1–2 days. Brush and floss as normal.
Sensitivity to hot and cold usually eases in 10–14 days. A desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) helps.

Long-term care

Brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
Cut down on tea, coffee, red wine, strongly coloured food and smoking to limit staining.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and cleanings.

Call your clinic if

Your temporary crown comes off.
Discomfort with your permanent crown is severe or lasts longer than 2 weeks; it may need a small adjustment.

Aftercare

Composite fillings

What to expect after a filling and how to make it last.

Full guide (PDF)

First 48 hours

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Don't bite your cheek, lip or tongue; avoid hot food and drinks.
The new shape may feel strange to your tongue for about 48 hours. This passes.
Small flakes of bonding material may come away for several days. Your filling is not moving.
Rinse with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water if your gum is sore or sensitive.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity or tenderness can last from a few weeks to several months, especially with deep fillings.
Gum near the filling, and where the injection was given, may be red or tender for a while.
Use a desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) to ease discomfort.

Eating & cleaning

If warned your filling takes heavy loads, take care with apples, crusty bread or nuts.
Keep flossing between filled teeth, even if floss passes differently. It won't damage the filling.
Brush at least twice a day and floss daily.

Long-term care

Cut down on tea, coffee, red wine, strongly coloured food and smoking to limit staining.
Have sweet things with meals rather than snacking on them through the day.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and regular scale and polish visits.

Call your clinic if

Your filling is damaged, moves out of position or comes away from the tooth.

Aftercare

Composite bonding

What to expect after composite bonding and how to keep it looking its best.

Full guide (PDF)

First 48 hours

No anaesthetic is needed, so you can eat and drink as normal straight away.
Your teeth may feel strange to your tongue for about 48 hours. This passes.
Small flakes of bonding material may come away in the first few hours. This is normal.
Mild gum inflammation is normal. Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen can help.

Cleaning

Brush and floss as normal, using a sensitive toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) if you prefer.
Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to help your bonding last.

Protecting your bonding

Don't bite your nails or eat very hard or crunchy foods on the bonded teeth.
Wear the custom nightguard your dentist makes for you every night to prevent wear from grinding.
Cut down on tea, coffee, red wine and strongly coloured food to limit staining.
Tobacco stains bonding easily. Your dentist, and the HSE's free Quit service, can help you stop.

Long-term care

With good care, bonding usually lasts 5–6 years before it needs polishing or touching up.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and scale and polish visits.

Call your clinic if

After a few days your bite still feels wrong and your teeth don't meet properly.
Bonding chips or separates from the tooth. Don't panic; it can be repaired simply.

Aftercare

Teeth whitening

How to use your custom home whitening trays, manage sensitivity and keep your results.

Full guide (PDF)

Using your trays

Brush and floss before each treatment, and make sure the trays are clean and dry.
Put a small drop of gel in each tooth space, about 0.5ml per arch. Don't spread it around.
Seat the tray fully and wipe away any gel that seeps out.
Wear for at least 2 hours (many people wear 4–6), or overnight if you have no sensitivity.
Repeat once a day for 2–5 weeks, or until you are happy with the shade.

Cleaning & storing

After removing the trays, brush and floss your teeth as normal.
Clean the trays with a toothbrush and cold water. Warm water will distort them.
Keep trays in their box, and keep the kit away from children.
Store gel at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
Keep your trays for top-ups; most people top up after 18–24 months.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is common. Use a desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne), and spit rather than rinse.
If brushing triggers it, dab the toothpaste on sensitive teeth with your finger.
If sensitivity is severe, wear toothpaste in the trays for 2 hours before whitening.
If it is extreme, whiten on alternate days or wear the trays for less time.
Try not to break for more than 2 days in a row, as it lengthens treatment.

Getting the best results

Cut down on coffee, tea, red wine and heavily spiced meals during treatment and for 1 month after.
Avoid or reduce smoking during treatment, and ideally for 2 months after.
Do not whiten during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Ask your dentist about alternatives.

Aftercare

Invisalign

How to wear, clean and look after your aligners during treatment, and what to do afterwards.

Full guide (PDF)

Wearing your aligners

Wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day.
To insert, place over your front teeth and press down gently with your fingers. A tight fit is normal.
To remove, pull up and off your back teeth while gently wiggling forwards.
Change to each new set every 1–2 weeks, as your dentist directs.
Mild tenderness with a new set lasts 1–3 days. Over-the-counter ibuprofen can help.

Eating & cleaning

Take your aligners out to eat and drink, to avoid staining them and your attachments.
Avoid smoking while wearing aligners.
Brush your teeth three times a day and floss daily, ideally after meals.
Brush aligners daily with a damp toothbrush, without toothpaste. Never use hot water.
See the hygienist for a professional clean every 4–6 months during treatment.

Storing & lost aligners

Always keep aligners in their case when not wearing them, and away from pets.
Clean and keep your previous sets as back-ups.
If you lose or break one, wear your most recent previous set.
If your next change is due within 48 hours, start the new set straight away.

Speech & check-ups

Speech may change briefly with a new aligner. Your tongue adjusts within about 48 hours.
Attend every check-up so we can keep your treatment on track.

After treatment

Wear your retainer every night.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and scale and polish visits.

Call your clinic if

An attachment moves or comes off a tooth.
Something happens to your retainer, so we can make a replacement.

Aftercare

Braces

How to look after your teeth and fixed braces during treatment, and your retainer afterwards.

Full guide (PDF)

What to expect

It takes a few days to get used to your braces.
Teeth may be tender after fitting and each tightening. Over-the-counter ibuprofen helps; it settles in a few days.
Speech may change slightly and usually settles in about 48 hours.

Cleaning

Brush after every meal.
Floss or use an interdental brush at least once a day.
Use a soft toothbrush and replace it every 3 months.
A fluoride mouthwash can help strengthen your teeth.
Keep up 6-monthly check-ups and scale and polish visits.

Eating

Eat 3 healthy meals a day, limit snacking and keep sugar low.
Soft foods are easiest for the first few days after fitting or adjustment.
Cut apples, raw carrots and harder vegetables into small pieces, and cut meat off the bone.
Never pick at the wires with your fingers. Use your toothbrush or floss instead.

After your braces

Wear your retainer every night to stop your teeth moving back.
Keep a removable retainer in its case when it's not in your mouth.
Clean it after each wear with cold water and a toothbrush. Hot water will distort it.

Call your clinic if

Part of your brace breaks, bends or comes loose.
You lose or break your retainer.

Aftercare

Root debridement

What to expect after a deep clean below the gum line and how to keep gum disease from coming back.

Full guide (PDF)

First 48 hours

Numbness can last up to 8 hours. Avoid biting your cheek, lip or tongue.
Gum tenderness for up to 48 hours is normal. Over-the-counter ibuprofen can help.
If your gums swell slightly, use a cold compress 20 minutes on, 20 off, for 24–48 hours.
A pink tinge to your saliva is normal. Avoid very hot drinks.
If bleeding continues, press damp gauze on the area with your finger for 20–30 minutes.

First 2 weeks

Rinse with 10ml chlorhexidine (such as Corsodyl) for 1 minute, three times a day, for 2 weeks.
Sensitivity to hot and cold can last up to a week. Use a sensitive toothpaste (such as Sensodyne).
Rinse with ½ teaspoon of salt in warm water after meals or when sensitive.
Your gums may recede, so teeth can look longer with small gaps. This is normal.
If you were booked for a second session, you must attend for the treatment to work.

Long-term care

Stopping smoking greatly improves results. The HSE offers free Quit support.
Brush at least twice a day and clean between your teeth daily.
Return for your next check-up or deep clean when your dentist advises, plus 6-monthly check-ups.
If you have diabetes, see your GP regularly; good control helps your gums.

Call your clinic if

You have major swelling of your mouth or face beyond the slight swelling described.

Aftercare

Exam, scale & polish

What to expect after your check-up and cleaning, and how to keep your mouth healthy until the next one.

Full guide (PDF)

After your scale & polish

Some sensitivity is normal. A sensitive toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) helps for the next few days.
A pink tinge to your saliva should stop within 30 minutes. Avoid very hot drinks.

Cleaning

Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
Spit after brushing rather than rinsing with water.
Wait 30 minutes after brushing before eating or drinking.
Follow the oral hygiene advice your dentist or hygienist gave you.

Diet & staining

Eat a balanced diet and have sweet things with meals rather than snacking.
Limit coffee, tea, red wine and strongly coloured foods to reduce staining.
Talk to your dentist or GP about cutting down or stopping smoking.

Long-term care

Have an exam and scale and polish every 6 months, or more often if your dentist advises.
Attend any further treatment your dentist recommended.

Call your clinic if

You have questions about your treatment plan.

Worried after treatment?

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If something doesn’t feel right, call the clinic where you were treated. Your team knows your case.

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