• Do not disturb the wound.
• Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.
• There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

• Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours.
• Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes.
• If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

• Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery.
• To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery.
• Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.

Diet

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid hot liquids or food.
• Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery.
• Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

• You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.
• For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours.
• Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol.
• Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult.
• Consult our practice for individuals under 18.
• Do not take the two medications at the same time.


• For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.
• Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
• Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day.
• If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Antibiotics

• Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

Oral Hygiene

• Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.
• The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed.
• The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily; after breakfast and before bed.
• Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.
• Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals.
• Brush your teeth and the healing abutments.
• Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.

Activity

• Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
• If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur.
• If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising.
• Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment.
• This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

• Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.