Post-Operative Instructions

• DO NOT suck through a straw, spit or smoke. The vacuum effect increases the risk of bleeding.
• DO NOT sleep with gauze in your mouth (choking hazard).
• DO put a dark towel on your pillow when you go to bed.
• DO avoid the surgical area(s) with your tongue and toothbrush.

Oozing is normal from the surgical site(s) and should subside by the third day.  The local anesthetic you received for your surgery has epinephrine, a vaso-constrictor, in it.  As the epinephrine wears off in the next 1-3 hours, you may notice an increase of bleeding.  This is normal.

Please be careful to avoid hot fluids, chewing on your tongue, cheek or lip while you are numb.  More specific post-operative instructions on how to deal with excessive bleeding vary, depending on what type of surgery you have had.  If bleeding persists, despite following the instructions below, please call the office or after hour numbers listed on the last page.

Donor site:  (roof of the mouth)
If you are experiencing bleeding from the roof of your mouth, sit quietly and apply firm pressure with your thumb and a moistened gauze or tea bag for 20 minutes at a time.  The tannins in black tea, such as Red Rose and Earl Grey, promotes blood clotting.  Repeat until the bleeding lessens or stops.

Graft site:  (area receiving the graft)
If the area bleeds, please sit down, relax and let it stop on its own.

• DO NOT apply pressure to the graft site.
• DO NOT pull out your lip or cheek to look at the graft.

Not following these instructions could compromise the result of the graft.

Post-Operative Instructions will advise that if the surgical site is bleeding excessively, sit quietly and apply pressure with your thumb and a moistened gauze or tea bag for 20 minutes at a time.  The tannins in black tea, such as Red Rose and Earl Grey, promotes blood clotting.  Repeat until the bleeding lessens or stops.

Your face may swell around the treated area, peaking at day 3-5.  This can be lessened by applying ice packs or a bag of frozen vegetables to the affected area for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.

Avoiding strenuous, or vigorous, physical activity for the next ”X”  days.  This will help to keep your heart rate and blood pressure lower, reducing the risk of bleeding.

Please DO NOT brush the surgical area(s) for  ”X”  weeks.  Brush and floss all non-surgical areas as normal.  Starting this time tomorrow, gently rinse with either 1) Listerine 2-3 times a day or 2) Your prescription mouth rinse as directed.

(Variable “X” – The length of time will be dependent on the individual procedure that you are receiving and will be filled out at your surgical appointment.)

The sutures placed in your mouth need to be left in place until they dissolve or are removed at your post-op appointment in 2-3 weeks.  Occasionally, sutures fall out before your follow-up appointment.  This is normal after the first 4-5 days and is not cause for alarm.  If your sutures prove to be problematic, please call the office.  It is important to keep your post-op appointment so that sutures can be removed and healing monitored.

You may experience bruising, which typically appears lower than the surgical site, by the third day.  It is difficult to know who is more susceptible to bruising.   Any bruising should resolve after several days.

Smoking delays healing and increase the risk of post-surgical complications.  If you smoke, it is in your best interest to stop smoking for as long as possible following surgery.

If an antibiotic was prescribed, please take the medication as directed and to completion.  Discontinuing the antibiotic before completion may increase your susceptibility to infection.  Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.  If this occurs, contact your periodontist and/or pharmacist.  Please note that certain medications may inhibit the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

You may feel tired, unwell or run a mild fever for 1-2 days.  You may feel nauseous, vomit or have diarrhea.  This may be due to post-operative medications, the surgery itself or sedatives you may have taken for this procedure.  If symptoms persist beyond 1-2 days or are severe, please contact us.

It may be difficult to open your mouth wide for several days due to swelling or tight muscles after a lengthy procedure.  DO NOT “test” how wide you can open.  A healthy liquid diet for 1-2 days can alleviate the irritation of chewing.  Rest your jaw and apply warm moist compresses to the cheek muscles and in front of the ear, where the muscles are sore or tight.  If symptoms are severe or persist, please call.

Please ensure that the responsible person that accompanied you to and from this appointment remains with you until the drowsiness and disorientation have subsided.  You may not drive a vehicle, operate hazardous machinery, make important decisions or consume alcohol for a minimum of 18 hours or longer if drowsiness or disorientation persists.