Post-operative Instructions Oak Brook IL

A GUIDE FOR HEALING FOLLOWING PERIODONTAL SURGERY

To optimize healing and minimize swelling and discomfort after therapy please follow these instructions:

• As the anesthesia wears off you may have some discomfort. We have provided a prescription for you.  Take is as directed.
• If the medication makes you feel ill or does not make you comfortable, please contact us.
• Swelling and bruising may occur during the first or second day. To minimize swelling and pain DO APPLY THE ICE BAG SUPPLIED ON YOUR FACE IN THE AREA OF THE SURGERY FOR 20 MINUTES, REMOVETHE ICE FOR 20 MINUTES AND CONTINUE WITH THIS ON AND OFF APPLICATION FOR THE FIRST 24-48 HOURS. If swelling begins after 3-4 days, please call our office.
• If an antibiotic has been prescribed for you it is essential to take all the pills as directed on the prescription label. Take them one hour before or one hour after meals. Do not take them with dairy products. Avoid sunbathing while on antibiotics. Antibiotics can also affect oral contraceptives. You may experience diarrhea while taking antibiotics. It can be helpful  to supplement your diet with yogurt containing active cultures or you can purchase a product called Lactinex (lactobacillus acidophilus) at your pharmacy. This is kept in a refrigerator so you will have to ask the pharmacy for this over the counter medication.
• If an allergic reaction (itching, rash or hives) develop, stop the medication and call us immediately.

Meals

During the first 24 hours, please avoid hot temperature foods and liquids. Warm and moderately hot foods are fine. You will want to plan your meals to be soft in consistency. A soft diet includes foods that can be cut easily with a fork. Examples include egg dishes, cooked fish, ground meat dishes (meatloaf, hamburger), pastas and soups. Keep in mind to maintain a balanced, nutritional diet to aid with the healing process. If nutrition is a concern, products are available to use as food supplements (like Ensure) along with the use of a multiple vitamin.

Foods to avoid include sharp, crisp, seeded items. Examples would be popped corn, nuts, pretzels, crackers, seeds (poppy, sesame, caraway) and hard breads.

If the surgical site is isolated to one side of the mouth you can use the opposite side for chewing.

DO NOT USE A STRAW when drinking your beverages. This can create a vacuum/suction in the mouth that may produce bleeding.

Hygiene

• DO NOT BRUSH, FLOSS, RINSE OR SPIT FOR 24 HOURS
• DO clean your teeth that were not involved with surgery during the first week. Brush or scrape your tongue to eliminate bacteria and odor during the first week. If a rinse is prescribed, use as directed 24 hours after your surgery according to the directions given. Do not swallow or swish this rinse.

If a dressing has been placed its purpose is to act as a bandage. Occasionally, part or all of the dressing may fall off. If small pieces come off, don't worry. If the dressing becomes loose or more than half comes off please call our office. It may be removed or replaced on your next appointment. If you have a removable appliance placed over the dressing, leave it in until your next appointment unless directed otherwise.

Bleeding

A small amount of blood in your saliva is normal during the first day.  Excessive bleeding is not normal.  If excessive bleeding occurs:

• Do Not Rinse or Spit Sit up in a chair (do not lie down)
• Place a folded gauze or moist tea bag over the area for 30 minutes (do not disturb)
• If bleeding continues, please call us.
• Avoid heavy lifting, aerobic exercise and weight-bearing exercise for the first week. Avoid any activity that can raise your blood pressure, as this will induce bleeding.
• DO relax after surgery with your head elevated and ice on the surgical site.
• DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol the day of the surgery and the following healing week.

CALL US IF EXCESSIVE BLEEDING, PAIN THAT IS NOT CONTROLLED BY PRESCRIBED DRUGS, FEVER OR ALLERGIC REACTION TO MEDICATION OCCURS.