Post Surgery Instructions

Instructions Following Periodontal Surgery

To prevent discomfort from the operation just performed, please follow the instructions with the medication provided by your dentist.

• Please take the prescribed medications as directed prior to the local anesthetic wears off (i.e. one hour)
• Limit yourself to a semi-solid diet and avoid spicy and very hot food for one week. Do not use a straw.
• Avoid rinsing and spitting for 48 hours.
• Avoid smoking for 72 hours, as this may compromise results and delay healing.
• There may be occasional blood in the saliva for the first four to five hours. Apply pressure with a clean face cloth or sterile gauze to source of bleeding. If bleeding persists for more than one hour after constant pressure please contact our office.
• Gently apply ice to outside of face overlying surgical areas, alternating 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
• You may follow your regular daily activities. Avoid excessive exertion of any type. Athletics and long exposure to the sun should be avoided for the first three days after the operation. Also – no swimming.
• If a surgical dressing has been used it will become semi-rigid within a few hours. If it becomes loose or falls out please call our office.
• You should use your toothbrush but avoid vigorous brushing of surgical areas.
• You should wear your stint continuously for the first 3 days. Take it out brush your teeth and clean after eating. After 3 days, you may wear it as needed, i.e. for comfort and while eating.

If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to call our office at 835-1031.

Instructions Following Oral Surgery

Bleeding:

Keep the gauze pad in place for one hour with constant firm pressure. Keep your head elevated and rest quietly. Do not suck, spit, or blow your nose excessively. If bleeding persists, place a moist gauze or tea bag on the surgical site for at least one hour. No smoking for 48 hours, as it prevents good healing.

Swelling:

Keep wrapped ice or a frozen bag of vegetables over the surgery area for 24 hours, alternating 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Do not continue the application after 24 hours. Swelling will be the greatest in the next 48-72 hours. If swelling and/or discomfort persists apply moist heat on the area (A moist towel wrapped around a hot bottle or a towel moistened with hot water). Bruising may occur.

Medication:

Take the medication before the local anesthetic wears off; and as recommended by the doctor.

Diet:

Eat soft, cold foods for one day. Examples: ice cream, milkshakes, puddings, yoghurts, instant breakfast, and progress as tolerated to a normal diet. Maintain a good fluid intake. Do not use a straw.

Mouth Care:

Avoid all rinsing for the first 24 hours following surgery and then rinse with warm salt water (a large pinch in a glass of warm water) 4 times daily (at the very least after every meal and before bed) for 7 days. You may brush your teeth, being careful around the extraction site. Stitches placed will dissolve in 3 to 7 days.

Please call our office at 835-1031 with any complications or questions.