Activity: It is recommended that you limit your activities the day of and day after your surgery. Avoid strenuous exercise for a few days. Try to get plenty of rest and relaxation.

Medications: After the local anesthetic wears off, you may experience some discomfort from your procedure. It is recommended to use over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) before you take a narcotic. Take 2 to 3 200mg tablets every 6 hours. If this is not enough to make you comfortable, you may add the prescribed narcotic as directed. Continue to follow this regiment until your follow-up appointment or until you no longer need the medications. Antibiotics should be taken as directed, and often with food. Do not combine alcohol, tranquilizers or sleeping pills with any pain medication or antibiotics.

Swelling: You may some experience some swelling which is a normal response to surgery. To limit the swelling, place an ice pack over the outside of your face in the affected area for 15 minutes on and off. Do this after the procedure for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours, switch to warm compresses and apply those for 15 minutes on and off as needed.

Bleeding: Some light bleeding is normal within the first 24 hours after surgery. Unless instructed otherwise by your periodontist, place gauze over the area and apply pressure for 20 minutes. If this does help, apply a moist tea bag. If you are concerned about persistent bleeding, please call our office of the cell phone number of the periodontist on their card.

Diet: Eating should avoided immediately after surgery. Avoid hard, spicy and crunchy foods such as popcorn, chips, and nuts. Try not to chew in the surgical area, and choose soft foods such as yogurts, cottage cheese, bananas, lasagna, soup, Jell-o, smoothies, eggs, milkshakes, mac and cheese, etc. Keep your diet balanced and healthy as possible, as this will promote healing. Use ensure or instant breakfast if you feel that you are not getting enough calories or nutrients.

Oral Hygiene: Do not brush your teeth in the area of the surgery for one week. If Peridex rinse has been prescribed to you, use as directed, beginning 24 hours after the procedure. Separate rinsing and brushing by 30 minutes. Use warm saline rinses throughout the day, such as after meals. One teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. This will cleanse the area and help with swelling.

Extractions: Keep pressure on the area with gauze to allow a clot to form. Avoid spitting, sucking through straws and smoking after having an extraction. This may cause the clot to dislodge and cause a dry socket.

Please feel free to call! If you are experiencing an emergency such as bleeding or concerned in any way, please call our office or the cell phone number of the periodontist provided on the card. We are here to help and will be happy to provide you with anything you need.