Eastside Periodontics GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the following instructions carefully. Following them will make your post-operative course comfortable and help avoid any unnecessary complications. 1. Bleeding: A. Slight bleeding may continue for 24-48 hours. This is not unusual and no cause for alarm. You can drool into a Kleenex or swallow the blood you taste in your mouth. Do not rinse your mouth vigorously in the first few hours as this may disrupt the coagulation process. B. If excess bleeding occurs, take a moist 2x2 gauze or a tea bag and apply steady, firm pressure over the bleeding area for 30 minutes. C. If after “B” you are concerned about bleeding, please call the office. 2. Swelling: A. You may experience some swelling and possible bruising following surgery and it may take 3-4 days before it reaches a maximum. B. If the doctor recommends it for you, ice packs can be applied to the outside of the face over the area of surgery, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first day. Ice cubes in a plastic bag, or a bag of frozen vegetables, work as well as an ice pack. C. After the first 48 hours warm salt-water rinses performed 3-4 times a day will help relieve soreness. After the first two days a little heat on the face provided by a towel drenched in warm water will help reduce bruising and swelling. 3. Discomfort: The amount of pain or discomfort varies from patient to patient. The medication given to you for pain should be used as prescribed and should control your pain. If you need to take the medication for a few days don’t be alarmed, but if you cannot control the pain please call the office. If you have minimal pain, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs work very well. 4. Oral Hygiene: A. Avoid brushing the surgical area for the first day, but remember that the remainder of your mouth should remain clean. B. The morning after your surgery you must begin cleaning the teeth in the surgical area. Keep the brushing limited to the teeth only and do not let the bristles touch the gum tissue. The super-soft brush provided to you can be dipped in the anti-bacterial liquid provided and used to brush the teeth in the area near the surgical site. Everywhere else you can use your regular toothbrush. Remember, for best healing the area must be plaque free. C. A periodontal dressing may be placed after the surgery over the surgical site. The purpose of the dressing is to prevent hematoma formation and to make you more comfortable. Do not try to take this dressing out on your own; but if it falls off do not be disturbed. If it does not fall of by one week from the day of the procedure please schedule an appointment to see us to have it removed as by then it would have served its purpose. While the dressing is in place avoid flossing the teeth on which the dressing is supported. 5. Nutrition: Maintaining an adequate diet after surgery is essential. You may eat the foods you desire, but it is easier to favor soft foods that can be eaten on the opposite side of the mouth. A. Avoid hard, chewy, or spicy foods. Citric acids (orange and grapefruit juice) may sting. Foods with small seeds should be avoided (popcorn and nuts). B. Fluids intake is important. Try to drink 8 glasses per day. This can avoid a slight fever following surgery. C. These are some foods which are nourishing but require little chewing: Broth and Soup Milkshakes Custards Eggs Ice Cream Chopped or ground meats Puddings Remember: No straws for 2 days. D. Avoid concentrated alcoholic beverages and smoking for the first few days. Remember, you will do better if you continue to eat a balanced diet. Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours. If you are a smoker, remember that smoke is an irritant to healing tissues and may negatively affect the result of the surgery. Please aim for no smoking for as many days as you can. Note: Stitches may dissolve away on their own and can begin to come out at 24 hours. This is no cause for concern unless you experience bleeding that is excessive. If you have any concerns or questions, please call the office at (425) 643-5412.