Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There may be a metal healing post 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 wound for 30 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 bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice to the affected area, 20 minutes on the area then 20 minutes off the area, as much as possible, for the first 24-48 hours.
DIET
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, etc.vshould be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
PAIN
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, Ibuprofen or Advil may be taken every 3-4 hours or as instructed on the bottle. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain for most adult patients. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
ANTIBIOTICS
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
ORAL HYGIENE
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. If you have been given Peridex Oral rinse, the day after surgery, the Peridex should be used as prescribed. Be sure to rinse gently for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water 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 posts is no problem. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
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.
WEARING YOUR PROSTHESIS
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least 10 days unless otherwise instructed. This was discussed in the pre-operative consultation.