INSTRUCTIONS FOR POST-SURGICAL CARE FOR SURGERY

Unless advised otherwise, go home and rest—even if you feel fine. The more you move around, the slower you might heal. Lie down with your head slightly elevated or sit in a reclining position. Keep talking to a minimum.

Take antibiotics and painkillers as prescribed, start the first dose 1 hour prior to your appointment. If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to any of the medications, such as nausea, vomiting, a rash or severe stomach irritation, discontinue the medication and contact us.

Place an ice bag on your face over the surgical area (10 minutes “on” then 10 minutes “off”). Be gentle and do not apply pressure to your face. Ice therapy for only the first 24 hours. Helpful hint: Use moldable soft ice packs, Ziploc bags with chipped ice or small plastic bags of frozen peas or corn. Do not put the cold plastic directly on your skin: wrap the cold pack in a slightly dampened towel.

DO NOT PULL YOUR LIP OR CHEEK TO HAVE A LOOK. You will damage the tissue and cause sutures to be ripped out.

Day of surgery: Do not brush or floss the surgically treated areas, just rinse with a cup of warm water mixed with a 1/3 teaspoon of salt. You can gently brush the non-surgical sites.

Day after surgery: Start gently rinsing 3x/day with 1⁄2 an ounce of medicated rinse (Chlorhexidine 0.12%) for 1 minute and then let it dribble out. This rinse will be provided to you after the surgery. Don't spit forcefully (this will dislodge the clot). Chlorhexidine adheres to the teeth and gums: do not eat, drink or rinse your mouth with water for 30 minutes after. In all areas of your mouth that were not treated surgically, continue with your daily self-care procedures (brushing and flossing) as usual.

For the next few days you will probably notice some sporadic oozing and slight bleeding, which is normal. Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the surgical site must be avoided, as it may initiate bleeding by dislodging the blood clot that has formed.

For patients who have had soft tissue harvested from the roof of the mouth: It is very normal to experience more oozing than the other areas of surgery. If bleeding persists on the roof of the mouth to the extent that it bothers you, moisten a tea bag (not herbal tea) and apply a firm but gentle non-interrupted pressure with a clean thumb for 15 minutes in a reclined position. Repeat, if needed, a second time. **IF EXCESS BLEEDING CONTINUES, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE OR YOUR DOCTOR’S CELL FOR AFTER HOURS**

Swelling around the surgical site is common and will present the day after surgery. The swelling and bruising may persist for approximately 2-4 days after surgery. Keeping your head elevated above the level of your heart for the first few days can help minimize swelling. Use extra pillows while sleeping.

It is recommended that you do not drink alcohol for 1 week following surgery. Alcohol can delay wound healing and/or cause increased bleeding. Do not drink alcohol while under the influence of narcotic pain relievers.

• Keep a soft diet until your 2-week post-operative appointment. No chewing or brushing of the surgical site is allowed until you are seen in our office and have been cleared.
  
  
• Minimize the use of salt. It can cause increased swelling and pain in your mouth (salt water rinse is allowed).
  
  
• Drink lots of liquid. Increasing fluid consumption will counter drug-causing constipation. Do NOT use any straws.
  
  
• Put vegetables in low sodium vegetable/chicken broth with some lean meat. For carbohydrates, plain baked potatoes or pasta are excellent sources of energy. If you want to supplement your diet for a few days following surgery, consider nutritionally complete commercially available liquid supplements.

Refrain from any strenuous physical activities that would increase your heart rate or cause excess exertion until your 2-week post-operative appointment.

DO NOT SMOKE/VAPE for a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery and 4 weeks after surgery. Any type or amount of smoking significantly compromises surgical healing and makes you more susceptible to adverse complications including but not limited to infections, graft/implant failure, poor surgical outcomes and prolonged sensitivity/pain.

It is important that you take adequate time to heal following your surgery. Please note that everyone heals at a different pace. If your job demands physical labor, you should aim to take 10-14 days off. If you do not perform much physical work, however you need to constantly talk, we advise taking 4-5 days off. If you have a sedentary job, you should be okay to return to work after 2 days.

Please don’t pull your sutures or push on them with your tongue. The sutures will be removed at your 2-week post-operative appointment. However, if they bother you, please call our office. Should you have been advised that you have self-dissolving sutures, they often will fall out on their own between 3-5 days.

We may use a “bandaid” on the roof of the mouth. It is there to initially stop the bleeding and then works to protect the harvested site. It may break apart and/or fall off as soon as the first day or remain until your 2-week post-operative appointment, when it will be removed.

Tissue glue may be put on your gums or roof of the mouth as a dressing to stop the bleeding and protect the area. It acts like a scab - it will feel rough and will fall off when it is ready to, as soon as the first few days after the surgery.

Sometimes a temporary tooth replacement solution is delivered if the surgery includes removal of front tooth/teeth. This will be delivered on the day of surgery after the tooth/teeth are removed. UNLESS you are rinsing, the retainer is to stay in for the first two weeks at all times. You will be instructed to keep the retainer in even when eating (soft diet) and sleeping since this device will work as protection for the surgical site. Remove the retainer by elevating it in the molar area as far away from the surgical site, while avoiding touching or applying pressure. Essix retainer can be cleaned with antibacterial soap, mouth rinse or polident. If the device is causing pain and pressure at the surgical site, STOP wearing it and call our office.

Please bring all appliances that you are currently wearing or intending to be wearing (denture, nightguard, retainer) to all of your appointments.

It is IMPERATIVE that you attend the post-operative appointments based on the recommended schedule. For most surgeries, there will be 2 week and 16 week post-surgical appointments. You need to be available for all appointments before booking your surgery. This allows us to follow up and ensure the best result.

By signing below, I verify that I have read, understand and will comply with the post-operative requirements.