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1. Some degree of discomfort and pain can be expected as numbness wears off. At the first sign of pain or discomfort, take the prescribed medications. As an alternative you may take your usual pain medication.. Any pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting. It is very important that you have some food in your stomach before you take them.
2. DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA OF SURGERY. Allowing the tissues to rest undisturbed helps the healing process. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting or rinsing. If you routinely use a Water Pik, avoid doing so during the healing phase as it may cause excessive bleeding, delayed tissue healing and infection.
3. Expect minor bleeding or oozing. If bleeding persists, continue pressure on gauzee for an additional 30 minutes to an hour. Biting on a moist teabag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps promote blood clotting.
4. Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. If you check too frequently, (every few minutes), the blood clot will not form properly and bleeding will continue. Should active bleeding persist, please call the office or the doctor.
5. LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down keep your head elevated on a pillow.
6. PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY will be most severe within the first 6-8 hours after the operation. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as then it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 48 hours. And mild discomfort usually diminishes after the third day. Please contact us if you experience prolonged severe pain so that we can help make you more comfortable.
7. SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE may occur following certain types of procedures. An ice pack should be placed on the side of your face for 20 minutes then taken off for 10 minutes and repeated. Do not place icecubes directly on skin. Anti-inflammatory medications also help decrease swelling.
8. FLUID INTAKE IS IMPORTANT. Clear beverages, water, teas, soda, broth, soups, or juices are all suitable. Avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. Drink plenty of fluids.
9. AVOID USING A STRAW FOR SEVERAL DAYS. It may dislodge the blood clot and delay healing.
10. FOOD SELECTION. Soft, cool foods are most easily tolerated. A nutritious diet is most important to your comfort and well-being. Remember that eating can prevent nausea sometimes associated with certain medications. DO NOT EAT ANY POPCORN, POPPY SEEDS, SESAME SEEDS OR SEEDED FRUITS. THEY CAN GET STUCK AND CAUSE INFECTION!
11. Take any special medication we have prescribed on the special dosing schedule. Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus should be taken while on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion. If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pills, you should be aware that the birth control may become ineffective.
12. Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.
13. TRY TO AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY, as it tends to delay healing and interfere with regeneration.
The Day Following Surgery and Thereafter
On the day following the surgery, rinse your mouth carefully with 1/2 teaspoon of salt added to a large glass of lukewarm water.
Repeat three times a day until remaining soreness subsides. Please do not use a water pik during the healing phase.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT STITCHES. They are usually dissolvable. If not, you will be informed by your doctor after your surgery when they will be removed.
ANY SWELLING, SORENESS OR STIFFNESS IN THE JAW MUSCLES can be relieved by applying a warm moist towel to the affected side of the face.
Sometimes a soft diet may be necessary for the first few days following surgery. Most patients are able to resume regular food intake within a short time.
Bruising marks may appear on the skin of the face during the first few days after surgery.
Should any undue reaction or complications arise, notify your doctorimmediately.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING DENTAL IMPLANTS:
Placement of dental implants usually does not create a great deal of pain. General postoperative instructions apply, with the exception of rinsing.Remember DO NOT rinse with the warm salt water.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING BONE GRAFTING:
You may find some small granules in your mouth for the first several days. Do not be alarmed by these. It's normal to have some of them come out of the graft site and into your mouth.
Do not vigorously rinse or spit for 3-5 days
Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area, as the material is movable during the initial healing.
Do not lift or pull on the lip to look at the sutures. This can actually cause damage to the wound site and tear the sutures.
First Day: let the blood clot stabilize, do not even rinse your mouth. Following the first day: gentle rinsing would be advised but not too vigorously. ABSOLUTELY NO WATER PIK'S.
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING SINUS LIFT:
1. Do not blow your nose.
2. If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to avoid any unnecessary pressure
3. Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Smoking greatly inhibits the healing,especially in the sinus graft.
4. Do not take liquids in through a straw
5. Do not lift or pull up on your lip to look at the stitches, as this may actually create damage and tear the stitches.
6. Take your antibiotics as directed and until finished.
7. You may have some bleeding from the nose. This is not uncommon and should pass quickly.
8. You may be aware of small granules in your mouth for the next few days. This is not unusual, as your graft is mainly made of particles and some excess particles will be lost.
9. If you feel congested, you may need to use antihistamines or decongestants.
POST-OPERATIVE FAQ'S:
My dressing fell out, what should I do?
A periodontal dressing is most helpful during the first 24 hours of healing. After that it serves only to provide you comfort and protection, much like a Band-Aid. Therefore it is not critical that the dressing be replaced if it falls off after surgery. Many times we do not even place a dressing. If your dressing falls off and you feel strongly that you would prefer to have it back on, call the office to arrange for its replacement. Often, healing progresses faster with it off. Always let comfort be your guide.
What should I do if I get a rash?
Stop all new medications and call the doctor immediately. DO NOT take any more medication until the allergic reaction has been identified.
Can I brush my teeth?
Do not brush the surgical area, but continue to clean the rest of your mouth.
Can I use my Water Pik?
NO! Not for 8 weeks post-operatively.
Periodontal disease and instructions for patients after scaling and root planning
Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tar. Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that collects on teeth. Any plaque which is not removed by regular brushing and flossing, can harden into tartar (calculus). This crusty deposit bonds firmly to the tooth and can only be removed by the dentist. Tartar formation may also make it more difficult for you to remove new plaque and bacteria.
Early and moderate periodontal disease may exhibit few, if any, symptoms. Warning signs of advanced periodontal disease may include red swollen or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, teeth that are loose or separating, etc. If left untreated, the gum disease damages the bone and supporting tissues. The gums attachment breaks down creating pockets and the bone level deteriorates.
The first step in treating periodontal disease consist of removing the plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth. This procedure included the scaling (scraping) of the teeth to remove the plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth as well as the curetting (removal) of the diseased lining of the pockets of the gum tissue.
It is possible that your gums will be sensitive for a few days, and that your teeth may be more sensitive to hot and cold than usual for a few days or weeks.
Any of the over the counter medicaments, such as Advil or Aspirin, can be taken to help the gum tissue. Time will help the sensitivity of the teeth. There may also be some shrinkage of the gum tissue causing root exposure. This is a normal occurrence and is a positive step in reducing the pocket depth.
The goal of this treatment is to promote healing of the gum disease and to allow you to maintain your teeth with proper home care techniques. The importance of maintaining good oral hygiene cannot be overstated. We will monitor the progress of the healing process in future visits.
Instructions to patients after Periodontal surgery
1. Do not drink or eat two hours after the surgery.
2. Avoid tart or spicy foods.
3. Drink fruit juices with a straw.
4. In some cases, a dressing will be placed over the area. The dressing serves as a protection of the area of surgery and to keep you comfortable. If small pieces break off, do not be alarmed. If a large piece falls off, or if the dressing is uncomfortable, call the doctor.
5. Some swelling may occur. This is to be expected. Place cold ice pack over the area that has undergone surgery, and rinse frequently and gently with warm water(one glass) with one teaspoon of salt.
6. A slight amount of seepage may occur, giving your saliva a red color. Do not be alarmed. If the seepage persists - call the doctor.
7. For post operative comfort, take pills according to instructions in the prescription given to you. Take antibiotics - only if they are prescribed.
8. Brush those parts of your mouth on which surgery was not performed. Brush only the biting surfaces of the teeth where surgery was performed. Be sure to brush! When no dressing is placed, brush and use a floss, but do not carry the floss under the gum line.
9. Rinse mouth carefully after eating. Clean outside of dressing with moistened cotton swabs or Q-tips.
10. Avoid smoking for the next 24 hours.
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