Tissue Grafting Post-Op Instructions for 6 Weeks
Proper care after any oral surgery will speed healing and lessen pain and discomfort. Please be sure to follow these instructions carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us.
Swelling
- Slight swelling of the operated area is not unusual. Even bruising and chapped lips may occur. A reusable ice bag or a frozen vegetable bag, wrapped in a soft towel, may be applied to the area of surgery to help minimize the swelling of your face. Alternating 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off will usually be adequate during the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
- Using an ice pack and sleeping inclined for the next 2 nights will help minimize swelling and bruising.
- Keeping your head elevated above your heart will also help. One to two days after surgery, moist heat will help resolve minor swelling. Major swelling should be reported to the doctor at once.
- DO NOT BE ALARMED ABOUT SOFT SWELLING OR BRUISING FOR THE FIRST WEEK.
- You may experience some tooth sensitivity after surgery, especially to cold. Sensitivity usually decreases within several weeks after surgery and can be minimized by keeping the area as free of plaque as possible. If the sensitivity is extreme, contact the doctor for recommendations or medications to relieve the discomfort.
- CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE UNEXPECTED PAIN, CONTINUOUS BLEEDING, OR HEAT FROM SURGICAL SITE.
Home Care
- NO BRUSHING OVER SURGICAL SITE(S).
- After the 6th week you may brush the surgical area with special extra soft brush dispensed or ordered by this office for 6 months.
- When brushing other areas of your mouth do not use a toothpaste or mouthwash that has Tricolsan.
- NO FLOSSING (Water-Pik ONLY from tongue-side or inside on lowest setting)
- NO TOUCHING, with finger or any other device or object.
- DO NOT stretch, pull or bite on the lip or cheek area of the surgical site.
- DO NOT lick surgical area or use cotton swabs, cloth or any soft or hard object to clean area.
- No heavy rinsing or spitting.
- DO NOT sleep with hands under the cheek where the surgery was done.
- No facial massages for 3 weeks or massage the area of the face for any reason.
- No clenching or grinding of the teeth.
Wearing an Stent or Denture
- If you are instructed to wear a clear stent or an upper denture that covers up the roof of the mouth, do NOT REMOVE it for 24 hours NO MATTER WHAT!
- It may pool with blood, but leave it in there and rinse with Chlorhexidine rinse or lukewarm salt water.
- After 24 hours, you are to wear it as much as you please, especially while you eat for your comfort.
Nutrition
- You may drink cool liquids as soon as you get home. Do not eat or drink anything hot until your numbness subsides.
- Limit your diet to liquid and soft foods for the next week. Avoid food that will not completely dissolve as it could get lodged in the surgery site and complicate healing.
- DO NOT use a straw.
- No crunchy, hard foods (chips, nuts, etc.) for 1 week.
- EXPECT cold sensitivity for 6 weeks or longer. DO REPORT sensitivity during checkup appointments.
Medication
Do NOT eat anything until the anesthesia wears off, as you might bite your lips, cheek, or tongue and cause damage. You will probably have some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off; take your non-aspirin pain medication(s) as directed, whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter.
- Please take Ibuprofen or Advil 600 mg (equal to 3 tabs of over-the-counter Ibuprofen or Advil) every 4-6 hours for the next 3-5 days.
- Please take it as instructed whether the area hurts or does not hurt.
- Do NOT exceed 2400 mg (12 tabs) in a 24 hour period.
- Please take Extra Strength Tylenol 1000 mg (equal to 2 tabs of over-the-counter Extra Strength Tylenol) every 4-6 hours for the next 3-5 days.
- Please take it as instructed whether the area hurts or does not hurt.
- Do NOT exceed any more than 4000 mg (8 tabs) in a 24 hour period.
If an antibiotic has been prescribed to prevent or minimize infection, please take the antibiotics as instructed until all tablets/pills are finished.
Additional Appointments
Patient MUST return to our office 24 hours after surgery, 1 week after surgery, 3 weeks after surgery, and 6 weeks after surgery. It is important that you keep these appointments to ensure there is no infection at the surgery site and to monitor your progress. Call our office if you have any questions.