After Treatment

Things to expect following treatment:

The day for your treatment you will be provided with post-operative instructions specific to your procedure.  Please follow those instructions until we see you for your first post-operative visit. Below are some general guidelines to follow for all procedures.

1. What about bleeding?

Trace amounts of blood may occur in your mouth during the first few days after your procedure. A wet gauze placed onto the affected area will often create sufficient pressure to stop active bleeding. The gauze should be left in place for 10 minutes and can be repeated as necessary.

2. What about swelling?

This is a normal and healthy response after oral surgery. Swelling typically peaks during the first post-operative week and then slowly resolves. To minimize swelling, we recommend taking ibuprofen as prescribed, limiting your physical activity, and applying ice to the affected area(s). Ice should be left in place for 20 minutes. At that point, take a 10 minute break and reapply as necessary. Icing will be most effective during the first 24 hours after your procedure.

3. How about brushing, flossing, and mouth rinsing?

Avoid all of these things for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, please resume your normal routine in UNTREATED areas of your mouth. Where treatment was performed, simply rinse with the prescribed mouth rinse for 30 seconds every morning and evening until you return for your post-op visit. Do not brush or floss around the treated area(s).

4. What can I do?

We are all busy and active but please listen to your body. Your body needs time to recover. Heavy lifting, exercise, and activity will increase the swelling and pain you experience and can have a significant effect on our results. Limited activity for 3-5 days is essential to treatment success.

5. What can I eat?

Please avoid hard and crunchy foods but do enjoy solid, high protein foods like boiled chicken and fish, hamburger, scrambled eggs, hearty soups, and yogurt. If possible, avoid chewing on the treated side. Finally, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

6. What about smoking?

The single biggest thing you can do to improve your results is to avoid smoking.

7. I have a loose stitch

It is possible that some of your stitches will get loose before your post-operative visit. This will make them easier to remove and seldom affects the outcome of your case. Please tell us if the stitches are aggravating you. Otherwise, please leave them alone and we will remove them at your next visit.

8. Still have a question or concern?

Please call or text (513) 504-3820