After Surgery
• Avoid touching the surgical site: Do not pull on your lip to look at the area or use your tongue to touch it.
• Do not spit: Spitting can disturb the healing process.
• No straws: Avoid drinking through a straw to prevent dislodging the blood clot.
You cannot donate blood for one year following bone grafting or donor tissue surgery.
Antibiotics
If prescribed antibiotics for your procedure.
- Take the antibiotics immediately as prescribed and follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Discomfort
- Some moderate discomfort is expected as the anesthesia wears off.
- Manage pain by taking your prescribed pain medication as directed.
Swelling and Bruising
- Swelling is a normal part of the healing To minimize swelling and help with pain relief, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face, over the surgical site, in 10-minute intervals (10 minutes on and 10 minutes off) for the first 2-3 hours.
- Bruising may also occur but should resolve over time.
Bleeding
- Oozing from the surgical site is normal and is okay to be swallowed.
- Do not spit or swish water; this can disturb the clot and prolong bleeding.
- It’s a good idea to place an old towel on your pillow while sleeping, in case of drooling.
- If minor bleeding occurs, moisten a black tea bag, squeeze it out, and place it over the bleeding site. Apply pressure for 20 minutes without interruption.
- If bleeding continues or becomes excessive, contact us.
Activity
- Avoid strenuous activity (including housework and heavy lifting) for the first 48 hours after surgery as it may cause the surgical site to bleed and may cause additional swelling.
- After 48 hours, you may resume normal However, if the surgical site starts throbbing or aching, stop immediately.
Mouthwash
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash has been prescribed to help prevent infection.
- Use 15 ml (3 teaspoons) of the solution, tilt your head side to side to rinse gently for one minute both morning and night.
- Continue this routine until your follow-up appointment in 10-14 days.
- If you run out of mouthwash before your first follow-up, contact your pharmacy for a refill.
Oral Hygiene
- You may brush the remaining teeth with a toothbrush and water, avoiding the surgical area.
- Do not use toothpaste or any other mouthwash while using the Chlorhexidine rinse, as it will neutralize its effectiveness.
- Do not floss around the surgical site.
Nutrition
- For the first 14 days, stick to soft foods and chew on the side opposite the surgical Recommended foods include:
- Eggs
- Baked beans
- Pasta
- Rice
- Fish
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Avoid hot foods and drinks for the first two days, as they may cause more bleeding or oozing, and cold food or drinks may cause sensitivity. The closer to body temperature your food and drink are, the more comfortable they will be.
- Steer clear of spicy foods and foods with hard, small pieces that can get stuck in the surgical site
(e.g., popcorn, chips, poppy seeds, berries, flax, and chia seeds).
Smoking and Alcohol
- Refrain from using tobacco for one week before and two weeks after Smoking can impair blood flow to the surgical site, which may increase healing time and risk of complications.
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs for three days before and two weeks after surgery for similar reasons.
Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.