Post-Op Instructions

Bleeding

• Slight bleeding may continue for 24-48 hours and should not be 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 blood clotting process.
• Some stitches can dissolve on their own and can begin to come out after 24 hours. This is no cause for concern unless you experience bleeding that is excessive.
• If excess bleeding occurs, take a moist 2x2 gauze or a black tea bag and apply steady, firm pressure over the bleeding area for 30 minutes.
• If after doing the above you are still concerned about bleeding, please call the office.

Swelling

• You may experience some swelling and possibly some bruising following the surgery. Swelling reaches its peak on the 3rd day and starts going down after that.
• 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 two day. Ice cubes in a plastic bag or a bag of frozen peas work just as well as an ice pack.
• If your gums change color from whitish grey to bluish purple this is a normal part of healing and should not be a concern.

Discomfort

• Pain or discomfort is a subjective phenomenon and varies from patient to patient but if our medication protocol is followed strictly there should be minimum discomfort. Please see the attached medication protocol sheet for details.
• If you are diligent in following our medication protocol but are still experiencing pain please call our office right away.

Oral Hygiene

• Avoid brushing the surgical area for the first day, but remember that the remainder of your mouth should remain clean.
• 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 Oxyfresh (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 with toothpaste. Remember, for best healing the area must be plaque free.
• If tissue was taken from your palate for a grafting procedure, a periodontal dressing may be placed over the surgical site following the surgery. The purpose of the dressing is to protect the site and to make you more comfortable. The dressing will fall off on its own in about 7-10 days. While the dressing is in place avoid flossing the teeth on which the dressing is supported.
• After the first 48 hours warm salt-water rinses performed 3-4 times a day will help relieve soreness.

Nutrition

• Maintaining an adequate diet after surgery is essential for proper healing.
• Do not eat any foods that require chewing until the anesthesia has worn off.
• Avoid hard, chewy, or crunchy foods and favor soft foods that can be eaten on the opposite side of the mouth from your surgical site. Foods with small seeds should be avoided (popcorn, nuts, and berries).
• These are some foods which are nourishing but require little chewing: Broths, Soups, Milkshakes, Protein Shakes, Custards, Eggs, Noodles, Pasta, Greek Yogurt, Apple Sauce, Bananas, Chicken or Tuna Salad, Pudding, Ice Cream, Mashed Potatoes, Chopped or ground meats
• Fluids intake is important. Try to drink 8 glasses per day. Do not use a straw for the first two days following the surgery as the suction created can cause bleeding.
• Avoid alcohol and strenuous physical activity for the first two days following the surgery.
• 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 to not smoke for as many days as you can.

Concerns or questions

• Please call the office at (425) 643-5412 or Dr. Likhari’s cell (617) 512-4412