WHAT TO DO

Gauze:
Bite on gauze until bleeding subsides (usually 2-3 hours) change gauze as it gets saturated typically every 30-45 minutes.

Ice:
– Use the ice pack we sent with you for swelling. Use 20 minutes on 20 minutes off as often as possible for the first 3 days post-op.

Heat:
– Use heat after the 3rd day for swelling. Use 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off

Diet:
– Eat soft foods (mashed potato consistency) for 3 days *pudding, yogurt, smoothie etc. Hot foods may cause discomfort.
– Stay hydrated

Mouth rinses:
– Starting the day after surgery, rinse with salt water after you eat. Dissolve 1⁄4 tsp of salt in 8 oz warm water
– Starting the day after surgery, use Peridex mouth rinse (prescribed) morning and night for 10 days

Syringe:
– Start 5 days after surgery, use your syringe 3-4 times daily to flush the sockets until completely healed

Pain control:
– Take recommended pain medication ibuprofen 800 mg every 8 hours
– Can rotate with over-the-counter Tylenol up to 1000 mg every 8 hours
– Only use narcotic pain medication if prescribed and necessary. The narcotic replaces the Tylenol in the rotation, do not take Tylenol and narcotic together.

Brushing:
– Starting the day after surgery keep up your oral hygiene by brushing gently with a soft bristle brush

Nausea:
– Call us if you are nauseated, we can prescribe you something or suggest options

WHAT NOT TO DO

– Do not smoke for 1 week. This will cause dry socket and delay healing
– Do not use a straw for the first week after surgery
– Do not drink hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, and avoid spicy foods. These will cause discomfort
– Do not eat foods that can become lodged in the socket. Such as nuts, seeds, popcorn etc.
– Do not probe the area
– Do not exercise for 3 days

WHAT TO EXPECT

– Swelling and pain for 3-5 days. It should start to improve after the 3rd day
– Slight bleeding and oozing overnight is normal. If bleeding is severe, you can dampen a black tea bag and wrap it in gauze. Bite on gauze for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding continues call our office.
– You might feel sharp or hard edges around the surgical site, this is normal
– Small slivers of bone may work themselves out over the first week, this is also normal
– Stitches will typically dissolve on their own within 5-7 days

After a biopsy:
– Follow any instructions given after surgery
– Your results will typically take 2 weeks but could be sooner. We will call you with the results.

After bone grafting:
– Small granules of bone may fall from the site for the first several days; this is normal.
– Eat a soft food diet for 7 days and then chew on the opposite side for the next month.
– Do not use a straw for the first week
– You can brush the teeth next to the bone graft starting the day after surgery, but don’t touch the bone graft area.
– You can brush the area normally after 2 weeks.

After sinus lift:
– Do not smoke for 2 weeks after the surgery; preferable at least 6 weeks
– Do not blow your nose for 2 weeks after the surgery.
– Sneeze with your mouth open for 2 weeks after surgery,
– You may take over the counter decongestant, a Neti Pot, or a nasal aspirator, for 10 days as needed

After dental implants:
– Avoid disturbing the site
– Avoid rigorous spitting, rinsing, and touching the site. Leave it alone
– Eat a soft food diet for 7 days and then chew on the opposite side for the next month.
– If you have an abutment, you may feel that, remember to gently clean with gauze or a Q-tip, keeping it shiny, for the first 2 weeks.
– You can brush the area normally after 2 weeks.

After expose and bond:
– Do not chew or bite on the chain at the surgical site
– Call our office if the chain or bracket becomes loose or falls off
– Make sure to follow up with your orthodontist after surgery

Questions and concerns:
If you have questions please call our office, we are only available by text during office hours. We have a 24-hour answering service should you need to reach us after hours.