When should I call after dental surgery?

Call the office if bleeding does not slow after firm gauze pressure, swelling rapidly increases, swelling occurs with fever, pain gets worse after a few days instead of improving, drainage or pus appears, bad taste or foul odor persists, or something suddenly does not feel right.

What symptoms need urgent or emergency help?

Seek urgent care or emergency help for severe trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, signs of a severe allergic reaction, or symptoms that feel medically urgent.

What is the typical healing pattern after dental surgery?

In general, oozing often tapers during days 1 to 2, swelling often begins early and may peak around days 3 to 4, and tenderness usually improves during the first week. Healing timelines vary, and personalized instructions should be followed when they differ.

What should I do before anesthesia or sedation?

Follow fasting instructions exactly, avoid alcohol the day before anesthesia unless instructed otherwise, share a complete medication and supplement list, report any illness before the appointment, arrange a responsible adult escort when sedation is scheduled, and avoid driving or operating machinery after sedation for the timeframe provided.

How do I protect a clot after tooth extraction?

Avoid straws, forceful spitting, smoking, aggressive rinsing too early, and heavy exercise for the period specified by the office. Start with soft foods, brush gently, and use warm saltwater rinses only when permitted.

How do I protect an implant site after surgery?

Avoid disturbing the implant site with your fingers or tongue, avoid chewing on the surgical side until cleared, keep the area clean without aggressive brushing directly on the site at first, and use removable appliances only as directed because pressure can interfere with healing.

What should I do if pain medication causes nausea?

Call the office for options if pain medication causes nausea. Do not wait until discomfort becomes severe before asking for guidance.

Surgical Instruction San Francisco, CA

Q: When does wisdom tooth irrigation usually begin?

If a syringe is provided, irrigation usually begins after the initial healing window. Use gentle pressure to flush debris without irritating the tissue and follow the specific timing given by the office.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Angela Leung, DDS – Last reviewed August 19, 2026

If you’re scheduled for dental implants, tooth extraction, wisdom tooth removal, or anesthesia/sedation, use these step-by-step instructions to prepare and heal with confidence.

Angela Leung DDS PC – The Endodontics Implant Center

1131 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 am–6:00 pm (Sat/Sun closed)

Start here if you’re feeling unsure today

Call our office today if you notice any of the following:

Bleeding that won’t slow down after firm gauze pressure
Swelling that’s rapidly increasing, or swelling with fever
Pain that gets worse after a few days instead of gradually improving
Drainage/pus, persistent bad taste, or a foul odor from the area
Trouble swallowing or breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction (seek urgent care/emergency help if severe)

Typical healing pattern (general guide)

Your timeline can vary. Always follow your personalized post-op instructions if they differ.

Before anesthesia or sedation (including IV sedation when indicated)

Eating & drinking

Medications & health conditions

Escort & driving

Post implant placement (post-op care)

Bleeding, swelling, and soreness

Oral hygiene & eating

Protect the implant site

Angela Leung DDS PC – Services Under Surgical Instructions

Other Services

Post impacted tooth treatment (or exposure procedures)

Impacted teeth can cause more swelling and tenderness than a routine extraction.

Swelling control & site care

Pain plan

When to contact us

Post tooth extraction

Protect the clot (dry socket prevention)

A stable clot is the foundation of healing.

Brushing & rinsing

Activity

Post wisdom tooth removal

Irrigation (if you were given a syringe)

Irrigation usually begins after the initial healing window—use gentle pressure to flush debris without irritating tissue.

Jaw stiffness & swelling

Red flags

Call us if you have:

Reviews and patient stories

(4.8) 120+ Google reviews.

Your visit at Angela Leung DDS PC

You’re not just getting instructions—you’re getting a practice that’s set up for precise diagnosis and careful surgical planning when needed.

Safety and clinical standards

We emphasize:

Payment and financing options

We’ll give you a written plan with costs before treatment begins, then help you choose a realistic path forward.

Staged payment policy (for larger cases):

Financing partners may include:

Insurances we accept:

Questions people ask before booking

Do I really need anesthesia?

We’ll review your procedure, health history, and comfort needs, then recommend the safest option.

What if I’m on blood thinners or diabetes medication?

Tell us early. Your medication plan may need coordination with your physician.

Is swelling normal?

Some swelling is expected. Rapidly increasing swelling, fever, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated.

When can I eat normally again?

It depends on the procedure. We’ll give you a progression that protects healing tissue.

When do I call instead of waiting it out?

If symptoms are escalating, you’re unsure, or you’re losing sleep over it—call us.

We Are Serving San Francisco, CA

Angela Leung DDS PC – The Endodontics Implant Center
1131 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080

Phone: 415-681-2697

Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday closed)

Ready to get a real plan?

If you’re dealing with missing teeth, failing dental work, or full-mouth breakdown, the fastest relief is clarity.