Post-Op Instructions
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.
- Apply ice to the area of surgery for the 24 hours by wrapping your face with an ace bandage. This will allow for gentle pressure which helps with the bleeding; more importantly, it will serve to hold the ice packs and free up your hands, as you would be icing ALL DAY.
- Remain propped up with your head elevated for most of today as this will help with the swelling and bleeding. When sleeping, use several pillows to remain propped up for the first evening and DO NOT lay flat.
- We have ensured that there is no active bleeding when you left the office today, however, there may be some oozing in the first 24 hours. If so, bite down on gauze. Change when saturated. Your saliva may look red or pink tinged for the first day. If there is any doubt, call the office.
- Do not rinse or spit today as this may cause bleeding. Also, it is best to avoid using straws for the next 5-7 days. Brush your teeth starting tomorrow and start gentle rinsing/soaking as of tomorrow. Avoid strenuous activity for the first 48 hours to prevent bleeding.
- Cold liquids and soft, spooned solids are best for the first day, i.e., ice cream, yogurt, apple sauce, pudding, Jell-O, cottage cheese, etc. Soft, lukewarm foods are suggested for the second day and the third day may be hot foods that can be incorporated into your diet. You may resume your regular diet once it has been cleared by the doctor.
- Please AVOID straws and any food items that are sharp, crunchy, and chewy. Examples of these food items are: POPCORN, CANDY, NUTS, CHIPS, HARD CEREALS, and TOUGH MEATS.
- Keep your tongue away from the surgical site, especially as it is healing.
- Avoid smoking for the first 24-48 hours to improve healing of tissues.
- If stitches were used, they will start to dissolve in 3-5 days.
- Call the office at any time (days, nights, weekends) if you have questions or concerns. We would like to know of any increasing pain, swelling, or difficulty swallowing persisting beyond the first 4-5 days.
- Do not rinse or spit today as this may cause bleeding. Also, it is best to avoid using straws for the next 5-7 days. Brush your teeth starting tomorrow and start gentle rinsing/soaking as of tomorrow. Avoid strenuous activity for the first 48 hours to prevent bleeding.
- Cold liquids and soft, spooned solids are best for the first day, i.e., ice cream, yogurt, apple sauce, pudding, Jell-O, cottage cheese, etc. Soft, lukewarm foods are suggested for the second day and the third day may be hot foods that can be incorporated into your diet. You may resume your regular diet once it has been cleared by the doctor.
- Please AVOID straws and any food items that are sharp, crunchy, and chewy. Examples of these food items are: POPCORN, CANDY, NUTS, CHIPS, HARD CEREALS, and TOUGH MEATS.
- Avoid smoking for the first 24-48 hours to improve healing of tissues.
- If stitches were used, they will start to dissolve in 3-5 days.
- Call the office at any time (days, nights, weekends) if you have questions or concerns. We would like to know of any increasing pain, swelling, or difficulty swallowing persisting beyond the first 4-5 days.
- Additional Instructions include:
- Bite down on gauze all day, preferable up until bedtime (do not sleep with gauze)
- Cold, soft foods for the first day, transition into lukewarm foods the following day
- Chew on opposite side for next 4 weeks unless told otherwise
- Keep your tongue away from the surgical site and sutures that may have been placed
- Ice today as this may alleviate discomfort and swelling
- No blind brushing – gentle brushing, especially around the healing abutment (shiny piece)
- Finish antibiotics as prescribed
- Do not rinse or spit today as this may cause bleeding. Also, it is best to avoid using straws for the next 5-7 days. Brush your teeth starting tomorrow and start gentle rinsing/soaking as of tomorrow. Avoid strenuous activity for the first 48 hours to prevent bleeding.
- Cold liquids and soft, spooned solids are best for the first day, i.e., ice cream, yogurt, apple sauce, pudding, Jell-O, cottage cheese, etc. Soft, lukewarm foods are suggested for the second day and the third day may be hot foods that can be incorporated into your diet. You may resume your regular diet once it has been cleared by the doctor.
- Please AVOID straws and any food items that are sharp, crunchy, and chewy. Examples of these food items are: POPCORN, CANDY, NUTS, CHIPS, HARD CEREALS, and TOUGH MEATS.
- Avoid smoking for the first 24-48 hours to improve healing of tissues.
- If stitches were used, they will start to dissolve in 3-5 days.
- Call the office at any time (days, nights, weekends) if you have questions or concerns. We would like to know of any increasing pain, swelling, or difficulty swallowing persisting beyond the first 4-5 days.
- Additional Instructions include:
- Bite down on gauze all day, preferable up until bedtime (do not sleep with gauze)
- Cold, soft foods for the first day, transition into lukewarm foods the following day
- Chew on opposite side for next 4 weeks unless told otherwise
- Keep your tongue away from the surgical site and sutures that may have been placed
- Ice today as this may alleviate discomfort and swelling
- No blind brushing – gentle brushing and avoid brushing over the empty/surgical site
- Finish antibiotics as prescribed
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Finish antibiotics as prescribed
- No smoking
- No drinking through a straw
- Do no blow your nose for up to four (4) weeks following your surgery (at least 7 days).
- If you need to sneeze, open your mouth to sneeze
Please refrain from blowing your nose for up to four (4) weeks following your surgery. Do not hold your nose when sneezing. Please take all medications as prescribed, included decongestants as necessary. Avoid flying in pressured aircraft, scuba diving, bearing down when lifting heavy objects, blowing up balloons, playing musical instruments that require a blowing action or any other activity that increases nasal or oral pressure for at least four weeks after surgery.
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.
Call the office at any time (days, nights, weekends) if you have questions or concerns. We would like to know of any increasing pain, swelling, or difficulty swallowing persisting beyond the first 4-5 days.
- Bite down on gauze all day, preferably up until bedtime (do not sleep with gauze)
- Cold, soft foods for the first day, transition into lukewarm foods the following day
- Chew on opposite side
- Ice today as this may alleviate discomfort and swelling
- No blind brushing – gentle brushing
- Be watchful that your child doesn’t bite the inside of their cheeks/lips/tongue until their numbness has resolved
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