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Patient Self-Care Following Gingival Surgery
ACTIVITY: After leaving our dental office today, we suggest you consider
relaxing or at least limiting your activity as much as possible for the
remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity and aerobic exercise for
the next 3 days.
DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort may be present when the anesthesia wears
off. You have been given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory (NSAID)
analgesic. Please take one tab a day for the first 3 days. This drug
will greatly decrease the possibility of post-surgical swelling and pain
and has been shown to accelerate healing. After the first 3 days, 2 Tylenol,
or 2 Advil taken every 4-6 hours as needed, should keep you comfortable.
Should intense discomfort occur at any time after the surgery, please
take the narcotic medication (if one has been prescribed for you), as
directed, or telephone the doctor and he will phone in a narcotic prescription
for you. You may take both the narcotic and NSAID together. Their analgesic
effect will be synergistic.
INFECTION: If you have been given an antibiotic please continue taking
it, one tablet every 5-6 hours, or three time per day until all of the
tablets have been taken. If you notice that after a few days, pain or
swelling are increasing or that you are experiencing an elevated temperature,
please call the doctor.
SWELLING: It is normal for some swelling to occur after surgery, particularly
in the lower jaw. To minimize swelling after surgery, apply an ice bag
wrapped in a light tea towel or handkerchief to the outside of your face
over the operated area. This should be left on your face for about 20
minutes, then removed for 20 minutes, or alternated from side-to-side,
between operated areas, for 2-3 hours after surgery. The use of both
ice and the NSAID analgesic as described above will reduce the amount
and duration of facial swelling.
BLEEDING: It is common to have slight bleeding for a few hours following
periodontal surgery. If bleeding persists, apply a tea bag to the surgical
site with firm but gentle pressure for 15-20 minutes. Let yourself rest
for 15 minutes then repeat the application of the tea bag for a second
time if you still have slight bleeding. If excessive bleeding continues,
please call our office. Remember, most of the blood you may see in your
mouth is actually a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva -
blood is a very strong “dye” and a little bit of blood will
color your saliva dramatically.
ORAL HYGIENE: Brushing and oral hygiene procedures should be done as
usual in all untreated areas. In exposed, operated areas limit your oral
hygiene to brushing using a soft bristled toothbrush. In areas covered
by periodontal dressing, brush only the chewing surfaces of teeth. Avoid
dental flossing in operated areas during the first week following surgery.
No undiluted mouthwash, salt water or peroxide rinses should be used
during the first week following surgery.Also avoid the use of water irrigation
devices such as Water-piks for 2 weeks following surgery. Any exposed
operated areas should be gently swabbed with a Q-tip (cotton tipped applicator)
saturated with Peridex (Chlorhexidine) as a last oral hygiene procedure
at bedtime and again in the morning, after eating and drinking.
EATING AND DRINKING: Do not try to eat until all anesthesia (numbness)
has worn off. High protein foods and liquids are desirable for 3-5 days
following surgery. Semi-solid foods may be eaten as long as this may
be done comfortably. Eggs, custard, yogurt, pasta, steamed vegetables,
casseroles, cooked cereals are some things that you might consider eating
during the first few days following your surgery. Avoid spicy, salty,
acidic, very hot or very cold foods or liquids. Also, avoid nuts, chips
or other crunchy or fibrous foods that may become caught between your
teeth. Please refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages the day of surgery.
We want your treatment to provide as positive a healing experience as
possible. If you are having any problems or have any questions not covered
in these guidelines, 972-333-6374.
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