For Routine Surgical Procedures
Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours so as not to disturb the scab in the area and cause undue bleeding. Toothbrushing can start again tomorrow. Expect redness to the saliva for 24 hours. There should be no active oozing from the surgical site. If you do experience some seepage or ooze, place a moistened folded square of gauze in the area of surgery and hold biting pressure for 30 minutes. A moistened tea bag or folded square of paper towel will work just as well. If oozing persists after 2 cotton changes, please give the office a call.

Discomfort can typically be controlled with over the counter pain medications such as 2 Extra Strength Tylenol or 2 Motrin / Advil every 6 hours. If prescription pain medications are needed, you will be instructed on how to take them. Pain medications should be started before the novacaine starts to wear off.

Drink plenty of cold fluids in the first 24 hours. This will make your mouth feel more comfortable. AVOID straws, cups only the first day. Anything too hard or temperature hot because this will cause bleeding.

Eating should be kept to soft, mushy foods for 24 hours. Slowly ease into your regular diet to allow for initial gum tissue healing.

Rinsing with warm salt water can begin after the first 48 hours. Salt water is mixed by adding 1 tsp of salt to 8 oz of warm water. This will aid in gum tissue healing.

Smoking or use of tobacco products can significantly increase the risk of delayed healing. Please refrain from smoking until the area is healed.

For Impacted Wisdom Tooth Procedures
Do expect swelling and jaw stiffness to occur up to 72 hours, after which it will begin to decrease. Ice placed over the jaws in the first 24 hours will help to minimize swelling. Any anti-inflammatory medication prescribed will help to minimize swelling as well.

Stitches placed will begin to dissolve in 72 hours. There may be a low grade fever in the first 48 hours that can be controlled with Tylenol or any anti-inflammatory medication prescribed.

Discomfort should be controlled with the prescriptions given. Expect any discomfort to begin to improve after 48-72 hours. If discomfort or swelling worsens after 72 hours, please inform the office.

Diet will consist of liquids, frappes, puddings and yogurts for the first 48 hours. Then choose foods that do not require too much chewing after this, e.g. pancakes, mash potatoes, soft pasta, eggs, fish, steamed vegetables. Slowly increase the consistency of your food so as not to injure the healing tissues.

If advised on sinus precautions, please refrain from nose blowing until your follow-up appointment and use a nasal decongestant like Afrin or Sudafed, 2 puffs in each nostril twice a day until your follow-up.

For Biopsy Procedures
Avoid brushing or chewing on the side of the procedure for 24 hours. Avoid hot or spicy foods since this can irritate the healing incision. Gargling with a 50:50 mix of sore throat spray and warm water prior to meals will soothe the area. Take medications as prescribed. Avoid rinsing out your mouth for 24 hours. Stitches will begin to dissolve in 72 hours.

For Implant and Bone Grafting Procedures
It is important to avoid infection and any pressure type trauma to this delicate area. DO NOT pull back on your lips or cheeks to examine the area or probe the area with your tongue. Take your prescriptions as given.

Swelling is not uncommon in the first 48 hours. If this persists or is associated with any drainage or discharge, please inform the office.

DO NOT chew in the area of the surgery. Your diet must be limited to liquids and soft mushy foods until instructed otherwise. Wear your denture teeth for appearance only until instructed otherwise. You must not chew over the surgical area with your dentures in place until instructed otherwise.

You may brush the surrounding teeth, but DO NOT brush directly over the area of surgery. Use the prescription mouth rinse once in the morning and once at bedtime and salt water rinses 3-4 times during the day to keep the area clean. The salt water is mixed 1 tsp of salt to 8oz of warm water.

If sinus elevation surgery was performed, please refrain from nose blowing until your follow-up appointment and use a nasal decongestant like Afrin or Sudafed, 2 puffs in each nostril twice a day until your follow-up.

Patient Info: Consent Forms | Postsurgical Instruction | Prescription Info | After Hours Care