General Guidelines for all procedures:
Do not chew on hard, sticky or chewy foods for a least 24 hours. Never chew on ice. Avoid aggressive chewing and sticky foods such as “hard tack” candies that can loosen or damage a restoration. Carefully follow all guidelines provided by the doctor and their staff and most importantly practice good oral hygiene. Additional instructions following various types of treatment are listed below. Please click on the below topics for detailed instructions. In the event of an emergency, please call our office. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
NOTE: With swelling due to infection at the time of extraction – use no ice.
BRUSHING
Clean wounds heal better than dirty wounds. Please Gently & Thoroughly brush the gum tissues around the surgical site beginning the next day. Don’t be afraid if the bleeding increases somewhat as cleaning the wound is important.
RINSING
Do not rinse the mouth for 24 hours after the extraction. The next day, use solution consisting of a quarter teaspoon of table salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. Rinse gently after meals for 2 weeks post-op.
BLEEDING
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following oral surgery. You may bleed off & on for several days post-op. If the bleeding persists, STOP RINSING YOUR MOUTH, remove any large excess jellied blood clots, place a roll of gauze over the wound and bite down firmly for one hour by the clock. Repeat the above process if necessary. Biting pressure on a moistened tea bag is a method which will often aid in stopping bleeding. DO NOT BECOME EXCITED. Avoid hot liquids. Sit upright and avoid exercise. An ice bag applied to the face may also be helpful (20 minutes on 20 minutes off). While we realize that your surgical site is uncomfortable, sustained, direct pressure is the best way to control post-op bleeding.
SWELLING
Swelling may start AFTER surgery but is no cause for alarm. Use an ice-bag or towel saturated in ice water against cheek for 20 minutes on an 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours. Ifswelling persists the third day, discontinue the ice packs and apply WARM WET dressings to the outside of your face.
PAIN
A certain amount of pain following surgery is normal and to be expected.
SMOKING
Smoking is like rubbing dirt in a wound. Please avoid smoking for 5-7 days following your surgery, since this will dramatically increase the chances of a “Dry Socket” and possible delay overall healing.
DIET
Soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hours. Eat any nourishing food which may be appealing. Avoid using a straw for the first 72 hours. Patients should be aware that proper diet is essential for proper healing.
REST
Rest is a very important factor in all healing.
BONY EDGES
These are hard edges or prominence of the bony process noticed after the extraction and sometimes mistaken for part of the tooth. THESE ARE NOT ROOTS. They generally work themselves out or are soon covered with tissue and smoothed down by absorption.
POST OPERATIVE CONDITIONS
The following may occur, all of which are considered NORMAL:
- Swelling near the treated area
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Numbness around operated side of the mouth
- Cavity where tooth was removed which gradually will fill in with new tissue
DISCOLORATION
Black and blue or yellowish brown marks on outside of face and/or arm. This is the result of bleeding beneath the tissues; it is a common post-operative event and occurs even when suturing is done. It is normal and is no cause for alarm. It will disappear.
Please contact the office with any problems or concerns.
NOTE: With swelling due to infection at the time of extraction – use no ice.
BRUSHING
Clean wounds heal better than dirty wounds. Please Gently & Thoroughly brush the gum tissues around the surgical site beginning the next day. Don’t be afraid if the bleeding increases somewhat as cleaning the wound is important.
RINSING
Do not rinse the mouth for 24 hours after the extraction. The next day, use solution consisting of a quarter teaspoon of table salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. Rinse gently after meals for 2 weeks post-op.
BLEEDING
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following oral surgery. You may bleed off & on for several days post-op. Ifthe bleeding persists, STOP RINSING YOUR MOUTH, remove any large excess jellied blood clots, place a roll of gauze over the wound and bite down firmly for one hour by the clock. Repeat the above process if necessary. Biting pressure on a moistened tea bag is a method which will often aid in stopping bleeding. DO NOT BECOME EXCITED. Avoid hot liquids. Sit upright and avoid exercise. An ice bag applied to the face may also be helpful (20 minutes on 20 minutes off). While we realize that your surgical site is uncomfortable, sustained, direct pressure is the best way to control post-op bleeding.
SWELLING
Swelling may start AFTER surgery but is no cause for alarm. Use an ice-bag or towel saturated in ice water against cheek for 20 minutes on an 20 minutes off for the first 48 hours. Ifswelling persists the third day, discontinue the ice packs and apply WARM WET dressings to the outside of your face.
PAIN
A certain amount of pain following surgery is normal and to be expected.
SMOKING
Smoking is like rubbing dirt in a wound. Please avoid smoking for 5-7 days following your surgery, since this will dramatically increase the chances of a “Dry Socket” and possible delay overall healing.
DIET
Soft diet is advisable for the first 24 hours. Eat any nourishing food which may be appealing. Avoid using a straw for the first 72 hours. Patients should be aware that proper diet is essential for proper healing.
REST
Rest is a very important factor in all healing.
BONY EDGES
These are hard edges or prominence of the bony process noticed after the extraction and sometimes mistaken for part of the tooth. THESE ARE NOT ROOTS. They generally work themselves out or are soon covered with tissue and smoothed down by absorption.
POST OPERATIVE CONDITIONS
The following may occur, all of which are considered NORMAL:
- Swelling near the treated area
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Numbness around operated side of the mouth
- Cavity where tooth was removed which gradually will fill in with new tissue
DISCOLORATION
Black and blue or yellowish brown marks on outside of face and/or arm. This is the result of bleeding beneath the tissues; it is a common post-operative event and occurs even when suturing is done. It is normal and is no cause for alarm. It will disappear.
Please contact the office with any problems or concerns.
SWELLING
Swelling may start after surgery. After 48 hours, if swelling persists, apply hot wet dressing to the swollen area on your face. Keep head elevated to reduce swelling.
**Do not lie flat. Use two pillows or recliner.
RINSING
Brush gently. Avoid rinsing for 3 days to avoid washing out the graft.
FOOD
First 24 hours – nothing extremely hot, nothing through a straw. Cold diet is fine. No nuts, seeds, crunchy foods. Soft diet up to patients’ tolerance
Examples: scrambled eggs, soups, pasta (no spicy sauces), chopped meats, yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, ice cream, etc.
PAIN
A certain amount of pain following surgery is not uncommon. Follow doctor’s orders for pain medication.
DISCOLORATION
Black & blue or yellowish brown marks on outside of face and/or arm. This is the result of bleeding beneath the tissues.
EXERCISE
No strenuous exercise for the first couple of days. Rest is a very important factor in all healing.
BLEEDING
Residual bleeding may occur. This is normal. If bleeding seems excessive, bite on rolled gauze firmly for 20 minutes and then remove. Call office if abnormal bleeding continues.
Please feel free to contact the office if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.
SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. Smoking jeopardizes implant and bone grafting procedures.
SWELLING
Swelling may start after surgery. After 48 hours, if swelling persists, apply hot wet dressing to the swollen area on your face. Keep head elevated to reduce swelling.
**Do not lie flat. Use two pillows or recliner.
RINSING
Brush gently. Avoid rinsing for 3 days to avoid washing out the graft.
FOOD
First 24 hours – nothing extremely hot, nothing through a straw. Cold diet is fine. No nuts, seeds, crunchy foods. Soft diet up to patients’ tolerance
Examples: scrambled eggs, soups, pasta (no spicy sauces), chopped meats, yogurt, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, ice cream, etc.
PAIN
A certain amount of pain following surgery is not uncommon. Follow doctor’s orders for pain medication.
DISCOLORATION
Black & blue or yellowish brown marks on outside of face and/or arm. This is the result of bleeding beneath the tissues.
EXERCISE
No strenuous exercise for the first couple of days. Rest is a very important factor in all healing.
BLEEDING
Residual bleeding may occur. This is normal. If bleeding seems excessive, bite on rolled gauze firmly for 20 minutes and then remove. Call office if abnormal bleeding continues.
Please feel free to contact the office if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.
SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. Smoking jeopardizes implant and bone grafting procedures.
After your procedure please do not disturb the area. Avoid forcefully rinsing or spitting. Some bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours. Biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the wound for 30 minutes will help reduce bleeding. If bleeding continues please call our office.
Please take all medications, including mouth rinses, as prescribed.
Warm salt water rinses (one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used 4-5 times a day after meals. Brush your teeth with a soft manual toothbrush. Be gentle with brushing the surgical areas. Sutures may be placed after the surgery and most sutures dissolve on their own.
Swelling and bruising may occur. The use of ice packs following your surgery will help diminish the swelling you may experience in the next 48-72 hours. Applying ice for 15-20 minutes followed by resting the same amount of time works very well.
Drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from spicy foods. Also avoid sharp and crunchy foods like tacos, chips and nuts. Tobacco and alcohol should not be used. Alcohol should not be used in combination with pain medications nor antibiotics.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
If a surgical bandage was used, it is desirable for it to remain in place for 24 hours. Do not remove it; it will come off when ready. Once removed, you can begin cleaning the wound gently with a cotton swab dipped in a mouth rinse.
During office hours, immediate attention will be given to your situation, and you will be seen as soon as possible. After office hours, please give the office call and follow the instructions provided. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. In the event of an emergency, please call our office. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
Follow any other instructions provided by the office on your visit. Please take all medications as prescribed including your prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection.
Please take all medications, including mouth rinses, as prescribed.
Swelling and bruising may occur. The use of ice packs following your surgery will help diminish the swelling you may experience in the next 48-72 hours. Applying ice for 15-20 minutes followed by resting the same amount of time works very well.
After 24 hours, brushing and oral hygiene procedures should be done as usual in all untreated areas. In the treated areas, please limit your oral hygiene to brushing using a soft manual toothbrush. Avoid dental flossing in treated areas during the first week following surgery. No undiluted mouthwash, salt water or peroxide rinses should be used during the first week following surgery.
Drink plenty of fluids. Stay away from spicy or acidic foods. Also avoid sharp and crunchy foods like tacos, chips and nuts. Tobacco and alcohol should not be used. Alcohol should not be used in combination with pain medications nor antibiotics.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days.
It is important to keep your mouth clean after surgery to reduce the risk of infection and promote rapid healing. Start salt water rinses (one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of water) the evening of surgery or the day following your procedure after each meal or four to five times daily.
Brush your teeth gently with a soft manual toothbrush on the evening of your surgery or the first post-operative day and continue at least twice a day.
Drink plenty of liquids. Eat soft foods for the first several days after surgery. Advance to a regular diet as you become more comfortable. Please avoid chewing or creating pressure on the bone graft site. Please avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or smoking during the first one to two weeks following your surgery.
All removable appliances including partial dentures, flippers and full dentures must be checked for proper fit before they can be worn.
Swelling and bruising may occur. The use of ice packs following your surgery will help diminish the swelling you may experience in the first 48-72 hours following surgery. Applying ice for 15-20 minutes followed by resting the same amount of time works very well.
If you experience severe or persistent sinus or nasal congestion, please let us know.