Do not disturb the wound. Avoid touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding would for 20 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bay, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice 20 to 30 minutes on and 20 minutes off as much as possible for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours you will use warm moist heat for the next few days for swelling. Apply 30 minutes to area, 3 times a day.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids for a few hours. Soft, cold food and cold liquids should be eaten for the first few hours. Return to a normal diet after a few hours, unless otherwise directed or still having bleeding.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. The prescribed medication should be taken as directed
Antibiotics
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to healing. If Peridex or Periogard, which are prescription mouth rinses, have been prescribed use them before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 60 seconds then spit it out. Warm saltwater rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth and the healing abutments is no problem. Be generous when brushing the surgical areas.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Follow Up Appointment
Be sure to keep your post op appointment. We will take an x-ray at this appointment, if an x-ray wasn’t taken directly after surgery.
