Post-Surgical Instructions

Oral Hygiene

  • No Brushing, swishing or rinsing today

  • Tomorrow you may brush the teeth not affected by surgery and start rinsing with the prescribed mouth rinse and/or warm salt water

Surgical Dressing

  • The surgical dressing must stay in place for a minimum of three days

  • If the surgical dressing comes off BEFORE the three days have passed, call our office immediately

  • If the surgical dressing comes off on its own AFTER three days there is no need to call

  • Do not try to remove the surgical dressing; it is helpful for it to stay in place

  • The surgical dressing may remain until your post-operative appointment. If it is still present we will remove it at that time

Diet

  • Soft, cold foods for the first 24 hours such as ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, jello, cottage cheese, pudding, etc.

  • After 24 hours soft diet such as pasta, soup, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, etc.

  • Avoid hard, crunchy food for the next week

  • Avoid chewing on the treated side of the mouth

Stent

  • Must be worn for the first 24 hours. Do not remove it for any reason

  • May be removed after 24 hours, rinsed and put back in

  • Cloth bandage may be removed from the roof of the mouth and thrown away when stent is removed

  • The stent is made for your comfort. Most patients wear it for up to 10 days following surgery. After the first 24 hours it is your choice how it is worn

Swelling & Discomfort

  • It is normal to have minor discomfort following the surgery

  • Use ice for the first 24 hours on the outside of the treatment area. After the first 24 hours, if there is still swelling, treat with moist heat

  • Take the Motrin regularly

  • Take Vicodin if needed between Motrin doses

  • If the discomfort is not controlled with these, please call our office

Activities & Habits

  • No exercise or strenuous activities for three days

  • No smoking or drinking through a straw for three days

  • It is best to talk as little as possible the first day

Bleeding

  • It is normal to have minor bleeding, particularly from the roof of your mouth

  • If the bleeding seems excessive or will not stop, place pressure with gauze or a teabag OVER the stent. Do not remove the stent

  • If bleeding does not stop after applying pressure, please call our office

Other

  • If you had IV or oral sedation DO NOT drive or make important decisions for at least 24 hours

  • A bruise may be noted where the IV was started; if so, treat with cold packs for the first 24 hours followed by moist heat after that

Periodontal Surgery