Guidelines After Periodontal Surgery

The following information is provided as a general guideline. It is not intended in place of follow up professional dental care. Should you require urgent care, consult your treating dentist for instructions on your particular situation.

• Aside from a slight discomfort when anesthesia wears off, you should expect no appreciable pain from the operation which was just performed. In order to tide you over this period of discomfort, please take the prescribed medication(s) if needed.
• The material that may be around your teeth is a surgical pack which serves a very useful purpose, and should not be disturbed.
• This periodontal pack will become very hard within a few hours. Please avoid excessively hot, spicy food. After this period you may return to your regular diet. However, try to avoid subjecting the pack to the pressure of extremely hard foods.
• If a sizable portion of the pack breaks off after four or five days and you are not uncomfortable, do not be disturbed. Should you have any pain as a result of the breaking of the pack at any time, please call your dentist.
• Beginning tomorrow, if your mouth does not feel clean, you may rinse every two hours with a teaspoonful of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water.
• You may use your toothbrush as you usually do, but do not use it on the pack. In parts of the mouth which have previously been operated upon and from which the pack has been removed, avoid vigorous brushing. Try to keep food from accumulating in these areas with gentle use of a toothbrush and the stimulator tip.
• You may follow your regular activities but avoid excessive exertion of any type.
• Eat soft food for at least 24 hours. Be sure to drink liquids during this time.
• There will be occasional bloodstains in the saliva for a time after the operation. This is not unusual and will correct itself. If there is considerable gum bleeding beyond this, take a piece of sterile gauze, form it into the shape of a "U," hold it in the thumb and index finger, apply it to both sides of the pack and hold it under gentle pressure for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Under no conditions should rinsing be used to try to stop the bleeding.
• If any other problems arise, please contact your doctor.

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