Periodontal Surgery Post-Op Instructions

To insure your comfort and the success of treatment, we strongly suggest that the following instructions be carried out.

Work And Exercise

Return Home Immediately And Relax. The sedative medicine takes some time to completely wear off, possibly as much as 24 hours. It is normal to sleep a good deal during this period. Do not try to drive or operate any machinery for 12 hours as your reaction time is slowed. Work can be resumed tomorrow, but you may choose to wait several days. DO NOT UNDERTAKE ANY STRENUOUS EXERCISE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

Periodontal Dressing

A periodontal dressing (pack) may have been placed over the surgical site. If so, this dressing will harden to form a plastic like consistency and must not be disturbed until healing is nearly complete. It contains medication which helps prevent infection and which will make the healing period more comfortable. If, by chance, the dressing should come loose or be broken before your next appointment, do not be alarmed, but contact our office at your convenience. Exaggerated movement of the jaws (talking laughing, yawning, and vigorous chewing, ect.) must be avoided during the first 24 hours after surgery, so that a strong blood clot is permitted to form, insuring better healing, and so that the periodontal dressing is not displaced before it has hardened. Occasional blood stains in the saliva may be expected. If some bleeding continues, rinse with ice water and then take a piece of gauze or a cold, wet tea bag and cover the area under pressure for 30 minutes. Approximately 10 days after your surgical appointment, the dressing as well as any sutures will be removed. Another dressing may be applied for a second period of time.

Diet

Soft And Cool diet for the first 24 hours after surgery. We encourage you to restrict your diet to soft, nourishing foods while sutures or the dressing is in place. This will help to prevent breaking the dressing. For the same reason, it is advisable to chew only on the side furthest away from the site of the surgery. Bland foods lacking high seasoning are less irritating and are encouraged during the healing phase as well. For 24 hours after surgery, hot foods and drinks should be avoided since heat can cause swelling around the surgical site. An ICE BAG held on the lip or cheek over the surgical site for 10 minutes on and 5 minutes off will help reduce swelling during the initial 4 to 5 hours.

For persistent swelling after the first 24 hours, heat is encouraged (warm water rinses, hot water bottle, heating pad, ect) since this will increase circulation to the surgical site and healing will be promoted. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS, NO FRUIT, NO FRUIT JUICES, AND NO CARBONATED BEVERAGES UNTIL DIRECTED.

Home Care

 As already mentioned, plaque control procedures must not be neglected, even during this post-operative phase of your treatment. Beginning the day after surgery, all the teeth not covered by a periodontal dressing must be brushed and flossed as you normally do. We encourage you not to use toothpaste, since many are irritating to healing tissues. NOT TOOTHPASTE, BAKING SODA, SALT WATER, OR MOUTHWASHES UNLESS OTHERWISE DIRECTED.

Medication

Pain medication may or may not be prescribed depending on the severity of your surgical procedure. If it is not prescribed, Tylenol or Motrin tablets will keep you comfortable. Do not take pain medication if it is not needed.

In some cases, an antibiotic may be prescribed to eliminate any chance of infection. It is imperative that you follow the directions on the label when taking antibiotic medication. Be certain that you take this medication as prescribed until finished. Prescription pain medications are quite strong and consequently, to avoid mild symptoms of nausea, the medication should be taken with food. You should also avoid operating any mechanical devices or vehicles while taking the prescribed medication.

General Information

Problems which arise during your post-operative period, such as continued bleeding, persistent pain, abnormal swelling, ect should be discussed with us. We also suggest that you elevate your head by using two pillows during sleep for the first 36 to 48 hours after surgery. This will help reduce swelling. DO NOT USE STRAWS DURING THE FIRST THREE POST OPERATIVE DAYS. Such activity can cause bleeding. Due to its adverse effect upon healing, it is advisable that you NOT SMOKE OR USE ANY TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

While this type of dental therapy is not enjoyable for anyone, following the instructions listed above is the best way we know to make the healing phase as pleasant as possible. Remember, our goal, as well as yours, is to retain your natural teeth in health and comfort. This surgical procedure is one important way which will help us both to achieve this goal.

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