Post-Op Information Following Soft Tissue Surgery
periodontics • st. charles, IL
Day of Treatment
Please avoid extremely cold or hot foods until numbness wears off. Try to rest for the remainder of today, and avoid rigorous exercise.
You may expect to have some discomfort when the anesthetic wears off. Therefore, we advise that you start taking your pain medication, either prescription or over the counter, before all numbness has subsided. You should consistently feel better each day following treatment. Should discomfort increase after 3-4 days, please call the office.
A periodontal dressing material may have been placed on the surgical area(s). This dressing acts as a protective oral bandage. Usually after 5-7 days, the bandage placed on your gums around your teeth will fall off or can be removed. If this dressing comes off earlier, avoid chewing food in the area until after 5-7 days. If a periodontal dressing was placed on the roof of your mouth, it will usually fall off within 24 hours. Topical Orabase with Benzocaine has been provided to relieve discomfort on the roof of your mouth after the dressings are no longer in use. If you are in any way concerned, please call the office.
During the first 24 hours after surgery, using an ice pack placed on the facial area nearest to the graft site will help decrease swelling and bruising. Alternate the ice pack on and off in 15 minute intervals.
Small amounts of blood in your saliva may be present for the first few days following surgery. This will diminish as your mouth heals. Should significant bleeding persist, sit quietly, place moistened gauze or a moistened tea bag onto the surgical site and with the thumb or forefinger apply firm pressure to the area for twenty minutes. This will allow a clot to form, and the bleeding will stop. Otherwise, please call the office.
Please abstain from smoking for at least 24 hours after surgery. Do not drink through a straw, and avoid vigorous rinsing/spitting during this time as well.
Use the provided gauze moistened with mouthwash to gently clean your mouth instead of using your toothbrush today. Do not clean or disturb the surgical sites.
Eat only very soft foods.
After 24 Hours
Continue to take your prescription or over the counter pain medication.
Use the provided gauze moistened with mouthwash to gently clean your mouth instead of using your toothbrush today. Do not clean or disturb the surgical sites.
Eat only very soft foods.
After 48 Hours
Continue to take your pain medication as needed.
Starting 48 hours after surgery, begin to rinse with a 50:50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water twice daily after lunch and after dinner. Hydrogen peroxide will aid in helping to keep your mouth clean allowing for optimal healing. Continue for six days.
Brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush avoiding the surgical sites. After your post operative observation appointment, you may resume your customary oral hygiene regimen.
Eat food that can be cut with a fork for the remainder of the first week. More solid foods can be added once the sutures are removed, and you are more comfortable.
You may resume your normal exercise routine.
Questions? Please Call
Our office hours are Monday 8:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m., Tuesay 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Should you have a question during office hours, please call the office.
Office Number: (630) 377-4677
Doctor's Kolinski and Crosby's patients may reach them after office hours by using the phone numbers provided on the day of treatment.
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