Post-Operative Instructions Following Periodontal Surgery
If you have any problems not covered on this page, or if anything just “does not seem right”, please call the office (317)774-0716. If you have an “after-hours” emergency please call Dr. Wolfe at (317) 440-7011 or Dr. Largura at (317) 385-9906.
1. Be very careful not to bite your lip, tongue, or cheek while you are numb. The anesthetic usually lasts 1-3 hours. You should avoid smoking, talking, eating, or drinking for as long as the numbness is present.
2. BRUSHING: You may begin brushing the areas treated after sutures have dissolved or been removed. Some sutures will dissolve within 3-5 days and others will be removed at your first post operative visit. Use the mouth rinse Listerine twice daily. This is necessary to kill the plaque in the surgical area. Brush and floss the rest of your teeth as you normally would.
3. SWELLING: A slight amount of swelling is not unusual following some procedures. This usually goes away within 3-5 days. If swelling begins, it can usually be controlled by use of an ice pack or cold compress applied to the outside of the face in the area on and off alternating every 20 minutes. If swelling persists for more than 48 hours following the surgery, or begins later than 48 hours after the surgery, contact the office.
4. BLEEDING: Do not rinse the mouth for the first 24 hours. Slow oozing may occur for several hours. One drop of blood will discolor saliva to a light red color and seem like a lot. If bleeding is excessive:
A. Apply moist gauze, paper towel, or a tea bag on each side of the bleeding area and hold with continuous pressure for 30 minutes and avoid spitting. Repeat if necessary.
B. Place an ice bag against cheek or jaw.
C. Sit up in bed or prop head with 2 or 3 pillows.
D. If bleeding continues, call the office.
5. DIET: As mentioned previously, eating should be avoided while the area is numb. For the next few days, it is best to restrict your diet to fluids or soft foods such as: milk, soups, eggs, custards, ground meat, milkshakes, and liquid diet foods. These are very nutritious and require little or no chewing. When you do eat, chew on the side not operated on.
6. PRESCRIPTIONS:
DISCOMFORT: Following all types of surgery a certain amount of discomfort or pain can be expected. The prescription we give you for discomfort should control this. You should take one of these pills when you arrive home to ease the transition as you numbness wears off. PLEASE continue to take each dose for at least 24 hours. If this prescription does not control your discomfort, call the office.
ANTIBIOTICS: If you were given a prescription for antibiotics (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or erythromycin) take it as directed until it is completely gone. Some antibiotics (doxycycline) may make you more sensitive to the sun. If taking this medication, make sure you have sunscreen and sunglasses if you are outside.
WOMEN: Antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). If you are taking these, continue to take them as usual but you should also use some additional form of birth control while taking the antibiotic for at least 2 weeks following its completion.
DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE TAKING MEDICATIONS!
TAKE MEDICATIONS WITH A FULL GLASS OF WATER; THIS WILL DECREASE THE CHANCE OF AN UPSET STOMACH.
DO NOT USE A STRAW FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS!!!