Post-OP

• Gauze Squares – If you have excess bleeding, bite down on a wet piece of gauze for 30 minutes, then discard.

• Ice Pack – To help reduce swelling, place pack on your cheek for 20 minutes on and off throughout the day after surgery.

• Post-op instructions – Protocol to follow surgery. text goes here

Bleeding: Mild oozing from the surgical site is normal for up to a week and your saliva may be red tinged from it.

• If from the roof of your mouth- place firm pressure over the area for 10 minutes. Ideally this is with a wet, ice cold tea bag.

• Excessive bleeding, your mouth filling up with blood as fast as you can spit it out, is not normal and we will need to be notified.

Bruising: Your face may bruise after a surgery, sometimes this extends to areas away from the actual surgery site. If it happens, it will resolve in about 10 days.

Swelling: Is an expected reaction and usually occurs in the first few days after a procedure. It typically reaches its peak at about 2-3 days and will then start to resolve.

• Lightly hold ice over the surgical area for the next 48 hours. Approximately 10-15 minutes on and then 10-15 minutes off.

• If able, take anti-inflammatory medications as instructed

Cleaning: Avoid brushing directly over the surgical site until you are told to resume. This is usually two weeks. Please brush and perform your normal hygiene in all other areas.

Eating: Avoid eating directly over a surgical area until told to resume. Do not bite into apples or sandwiches if the procedure was in the front. Food can be cut into smaller bites and chewed in the areas of your mouth that were not involved in the surgery.

• Liquid or pureed foods are not mandatory. Softer consistency foods are more ideal (egg salad, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, etc..). Avoid foods that crunch, snap, or are difficult to chew, and avoid fine foods, like nuts and seeds.

• Absolutely no chewing on an implant until cleared.

Touching/Exercise: The surgical site should remain stable and not be manipulated until your follow up appointment. Avoid any strenuous physical activity, especially if it will jar/ disturb the surgical site. Light walking and light lifting are okay.

• Lightly hold ice over the surgical area for the next 48 hours. Approximately 10-15 minutes on and then 10-15 minutes off.

• If able, take anti-inflammatory medications as instructed

Appearance: It is normal for surgical areas to change color and appear white.

Sutures: Some sutures may dissolve over the course of your healing. Any residual sutures will be removed at your follow up appointment. You may remove sutures that have come loose and are dangling in your mouth.

Dressing: Packing and oral bandages (including on the roof of the mouth) may fall off during the course of healing. This is not a concern and they are not necessary for healing.

Medications: Take all medications as directed. Finish antibiotics.

Discomfort: Most discomfort can be controlled with ice and ibuprofen/ tylenol. Initially take the 600mg ibuprofen (if able to take) and 1 500 mg extra strength tylenol every 6 hours for 3 days. These can be taken together for maximum relief, or alternating every 3 hours.

Rinses: Avoid over the counter mouth rinses. Chlorhexidine (Peridex) mouth rinse can cause minor staining on your teeth and tongue, especially if you have darker foods/ drinks in your diet and/or smoke. This is not permanent, and it will come off after you have finished using the rinse.

Avoid eating directly over a surgical area until told to resume. Do not bite into apples or sandwiches if the procedure was in the front. Food can be cut into smaller bites and chewed in the areas of your mouth that were not involved in the surgery.

• Liquid or pureed foods are not mandatory. Softer consistency foods are more ideal. Avoid foods that crunch, snap, or are difficult to chew. Avoid fine foods, like nuts and seeds.

• Absolutely no chewing on an implant until cleared.

Suggested Foods

• All liquids

• Yogurts

• Soft cheese and cottage cheese

• Sour cream and cream cheese recipes

• Ground or shredded chicken, turkey, beef or pork

• Eggs

• Thinly shaved deli meats

• Tuna, egg or chicken salad (shredded or chopped into small pieces) w/out any added raw veggies

• Tofu

• Soft cooked veggies (without skins or seeds, and chopped into small pieces)

• Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes or sweet potatoes, without the skins

• Clear and creamed soups with chopped or shredded meats and veggies

• Soft fruits like bananas and ripe peaches

• Applesauce or other cooked fruits

• Jams, jellies, best without seeds

• Soft cereal, oatmeal

• Rice and pastas

• Ice cream, sherbet, frozen yogurt, without nuts or flavored chips

• Puddings, custards

Avoid brushing directly over the surgical site until you are told to resume. This is usually two weeks. Please brush and perform your normal hygiene in all other areas.

• Sutures: Some sutures may dissolve over the course of your healing. Any residual sutures will be removed at your follow up appointment. You may remove sutures that have come loose and are dangling in your mouth.

• Periodontal Pack: Your doctor may choose to place a pinkish-white dressing over the treated area that appears like white bubble gum. Think of it like a bandage to protect the wound. Packing and oral bandages (including on the roof of the mouth) may fall off during the course of healing. This is not a concern and they are not necessary for healing.

• Do not blow your nose.

• Sneeze with your mouth open.

• Take a decongestant if you feel stuffed up.

• Do not bend over, keep your head above your shoulders.