Discomfort

• Follow instructions carefully to avoid unnecessary discomfort. Some discomfort is normal and to be expected. The level and duration varies between patients.
• Take the prescribed or recommended pain medications as directed.

Rest

• Rest quietly with your head elevated for the remainder of the day.
• Always get up slowly from a reclining position to prevent dizziness.
• Limit physical activity.
• To encourage rapid healing please REST!

Ice

• As soon as possible, place an ice pack on your face over the surgical area; 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
• Use the ice pack for the first 6 hours following surgery. This will contribute to your comfort and minimize swelling.
• Moist heat may be applied the day following surgery for added comfort.

Medication

• Ideally, pain medication should be taken BEFORE numbness wears off.
• If an antibiotic was prescribed, take it as directed until it is ALL GONE.
• Some pain medications may cause lightheadedness. Lying down will help this.
• Some medications may cause an upset stomach. Taking these with food will lessen this side-effect.

Bleeding

• Slight bleeding from the surgery area is normal, however, extensive bleeding should not occur. If such bleeding should occur, apply firm pressure with moist gauze or a moistened tea bag to the area for 20 minutes.
• If bleeding does not subside, please call! 727-799-6733

Mouth Care

• Do not brush, floss, rinse or spit the day of your surgery.
• Avoid rinsing, spitting or sucking through a straw for 24 hours after surgery, blood is clotting and this will disturb the healing process.
• Do not rinse with salt water or mouthwash as they are irritants to the palate and will cause pain and delay healing.
• You may begin to brush the NON-SURGICAL area the day following surgery.
• Start to gently brush (with ultra-soft brush) the surgical area after your post-operative appointment.
• Begin rinsing very gently with Chlorhexidine mouth-rinse 24 hours after your surgery.
• Do not touch surgical sites for the first week; you could dislodge the healing tissue and compromise the success of the graft.
• Do not pull your lip away to view graft site.

Eating

• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Eat softer foods such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potato or hot cereal.
• Chew in the non-surgical areas as much as possible.
• Avoid extremes: very hot, very cold, acidic foods, also hard or crunchy foods.
• Avoid the use of alcohol for 2 days after the surgery or until you are no longer taking medication.

Fluids

• Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery.
• Avoid using a straw as it may cause suction, which may loosen the blood clot and cause bleeding and loss of graft.

Swelling and Bruising

• Some swelling often occurs and this is normal in the healing process.
• Bruising may occur in surgical area.
• If swelling seems excessive and is accompanied by fever or pain, please call immediately. 727-799-6733

Smoking

• We strongly advise NOT SMOKING after surgery.
• Smoking delays the healing, increases discomfort, and may encourage bleeding and infection in the surgical site.

Dressing

• A periodontal dressing may have been placed to protect the healing wound. It should remain in place as long as possible.
• If part or all of the dressing comes off, do not be alarmed. This is normal (expected) and will not affect the results.