If you have an appointment with one of Virginia Family Dentistry’s periodontists for surgery, please follow the instructions below carefully.
If you have any questions regarding your treatment, please call the office in which you were seen.
Post-Op Instructions
Bleeding: A small amount of bleeding for several hours after surgery is normal. A very small amount will turn an entire mouth full of saliva red. For gum grafts, you may need to apply pressure with gauze or a moistened tea bag for 20-30 minutes to control bleeding from the roof of your mouth. If excessive or continued bleeding occurs from the surgery site, please give us a call.
Discomfort: If pain medication has been prescribed, it may be taken according to your doctor’s instruction. Take Motrin 1st, then the stronger pain medication within or up to 4 hours later and continue to alternate these medications as needed for pain. Take Motrin as prescribed for at least 4 days. Since you have had surgery, some post-operative discomfort may be present, even while taking your pain medication. Make sure you eat a small meal before you take your pain medication. Pain medications may slow down your reflexes. Suddenly standing or sitting up may make you feel dizzy. Driving, exercising, operating machinery, or making important decisions should be avoided while taking your pain medication.
Swelling/Bruising/Appearance: Swelling following surgery may occur and is a normal reaction that should resolve after 6-10 days. To minimize swelling, an ice pack should be placed on your cheek for 15-20 minutes on and then 15-20 minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. You may continue for several days to help the swelling go down. You may be quite bruised on your face and neck; this may last for about 2 weeks. Avoid sleeping on the same side as the surgical site(s). Use extra pillows or if available, sleep in a recliner for 3-4 days. If the surgical area becomes warm or you develop a fever, please contact the office. For soft tissue “gum” grafts, the site(s) may appear white during the healing process (up to 2 weeks), this is normal and not a sign of infection. The tissue will change to a pink color as it heals.
Antibiotics/Allergy: If you have been given a prescription for antibiotics, you must take all the medication as prescribed to prevent infection. A high fiber diet and probiotics are helpful in preventing diarrhea. Taking antibiotics may result in ineffectiveness of birth control medications. If you develop a rash anywhere on your body after having taking any of the prescribed medications, please stop taking the medications and call as soon as possible.
Stent/Dressing: If you have a stent for the roof of your mouth, wear it continuously for the first 48 hrs. Take it out to rinse it and your mouth after meals. After this time, wear the stent for comfort and/or as needed while eating. If the doctor has placed a periodontal dressing over the surgery site, it should stay in place for at least a week when we will see you for your first post-operative appointment. Small pieces may break off which is normal and it is OK if it falls off on its own. Try not to play with it or pick at it.
Eating/Drinking: Avoid the use of a straw for 2 weeks post extractions and for the 1st day for other procedures. Do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking your medications. You should stick to a cool, soft diet for at least a week after surgery, such as ice cream, yogurt, instant breakfast, smoothies, etc. You should refrain from hard, crunchy food (the 4 P’s – pretzels, peanuts, popcorn, potato chips), foods that are tough, chewy and foods that are highly seasoned or acidic (grapefruit, pineapple, etc.). It is very important to maintain a high fluid intake. *DO NOT SKIP MEALS OR BECOME DEHYDRATED*
Tooth Sensitivity: After surgery, teeth may become temporarily temperature sensitive, especially to cold.
Oral Hygiene: You can still brush and floss (waterpik) all areas except for the surgery site until your first post op visit. The surgery site should be kept clean with either a warm salt rinse (1/2 tsp. salt to a glass of warm water) several times per day as well as a prescription rinse that your doctor has prescribed twice per day. Use the prescription rinse (Peridex/Chlorohexidine) after brushing in the morning and evening for 2 weeks and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after use. Avoid the use of Listerine, Scope, Plax while using the Peridex rinse.
Sutures: Sutures (stitches) may loosen as you heal, but should only be removed by your doctor. Please try to keep your tongue from playing with any sutures. Please avoid pulling on the lips to look at the surgical site as this may dislodge sutures and cause wound opening.
Smoking: You should refrain from using any tobacco products after surgery as this affects healing.
Driving/Exercise: You should not drive after surgery if you have had oral or IV sedation or while taking your prescription pain medication. Exercise such as jogging/running, swimming and tennis should be discontinued for 3-10 days after surgery.
If you have any questions regarding your treatment, please call the office in which you were seen.