PERIODONTAL POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. CARE OF THE MOUTH : You should avoid eating hard food or drinking of warm fluids for at least 24 hours.  Do not smoke until your next visit.  Do not rub the face in the area of surgery, and if you lie down, do not lie with any pressure against the surgical area. No carbonated beverages or alcohol for at least a week after the surgical procedure.   No spitting, using a straw or rinsing for the first 24 hours.

2. IN CASE OF SURGICAL DRESSING : Occasionally small pieces of the dressing break off in the days following surgery. If the uncovered area is small and feels comfortable, it is perfectly safe to wait until your next appointment. However, if a large piece should break off, or if the dressing should feel loose, call the office as soon as possible. Be cautious of anything too hot, spicy, or hard to chew.

3. BRUSHING : On the day of surgery teeth should not be brushed. On the day following the surgery, brushing without toothpaste and flossing of teeth (other than the surgical area), and rinsing of mouth should be started. Frequent gentle rinsing of the mouth with warm water or prescribed mouthwash will aid the healing process and keep the mouth clean. Toothpaste can normally be resumed following the first follow up appointment.

4. PAIN : Following all types of surgery a certain amount of discomfort or pain can be expected.  Usually this is slight and can be controlled by taking the prescribed medications.  Use the ice pack for an hour after the surgery only.  Place the ice pack in the surgical area in five minute intervals for one hour.   Avoid clenching or gritting teeth after periodontal surgery.  Pressure on the teeth will cause pain.

5. SWELLING : A slight amount of swelling and discomfort is not unusual following some procedures and usually goes away within two or three days. In most instances, these problems can be prevented or controlled if the instructions in the previous paragraphs are followed. If swelling begins, it can usually be controlled by use of a wet warm compress applied to the outside of the face in the area every 15 minutes for an hour. If swelling persists for more than 24 hours, contact the office or phone the doctor on his cell phone if it is after office hours.

6. BLEEDING : Do not rinse for the first 12 hours.  Slow oozing may occur for several hours.  One drop of blood will discolor saliva to a light red color.  If bleeding is heavy:

  1. Apply dry gauze or a tea bag moistened in warm water on the bleeding area and hold with continuous pressure for 30 minutes avoiding spitting.  Repeat if necessary.
  2. Sit up in bed or prop head up with 2 or 3 pillows.
  3. If bleeding continues call my office 602-956-0650.

7. DIET : Eating should be avoided until numbness is gone following surgery.  It is best to restrict your diet to fluids and very soft foods until after your first follow up appointment.  Milk, eggs, custards, ice cream, ground meat, milkshakes and liquid diet foods are all very nutritious and require little or no chewing. Chewing should be done on the side opposite the surgical area.

 WARNING

DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DRIVE OR OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY WHILE TAKING NARCOTICS SUCH AS VICODIN OR PERCOCET.
ALWAYS TAKE MEDICATIONS WITH A FULL GLASS OF MILK OR FOOD TO AVOID STOMACH UPSET.

FEMALE PATIENTS TAKING ANTIBIOTICS AND BIRTH CONTROL MEDICATIONS SHOULD USE ANOTHER METHOD OF BIRTH CONTROL AND CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN ABOUT WHEN THE CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD YOU ARE USING WILL BE EFFECTIVE AGAIN.