Patient Instructions Following Periodontal and Implant Procedures

The following information outlines important instructions following your procedure with Periodontal Associates. Please read these instructions carefully to help minimize post-surgical discomfort.

Please call our office at (303) 755-4500 if you have any questions.

What to Avoid

Exercise

Wait at least 4 days after treatment before participating in exercise that may elevate your heart rate. Avoid contact sports, which can traumatize the surgical area during healing.

Straws

Do not use a straw for the first 2–3 days after surgery. The sucking motion can cause a dry socket to form or cause the wound to reopen.

Smoking

Smoking can delay healing and is not recommended after any procedure.

Discomfort and Medications

To minimize discomfort, take medications as prescribed.

• Lodine (Etodolac) should be taken every 8 hours.
• If you still have discomfort 4 hours after taking Lodine (Etodolac), take 1,000 mg of Tylenol (Acetaminophen).
• Alternate Lodine (Etodolac) and 1,000 mg of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) every 4 hours thereafter.
• Do not exceed 4,000 mg of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) per day.

Please take all medications as directed, especially antibiotics.

If side effects occur—such as itching, stomach pain, rash, or diarrhea—call the office at 303-755-4500. If you have trouble breathing, call 911 immediately.

Oral Care

• Do not brush or floss around the surgical area for the first week unless instructed otherwise.
• Do not rinse on the day of surgery. Begin rinsing the day after treatment.
• Do not use other mouthwash unless it has been approved by your periodontist.
• If you were prescribed a mouth rinse, it is antimicrobial when used 2–3 times daily.
• Continue normal home care in areas that were not treated.

Periodontal Dressing (“Packing”)

If your doctor placed packing, it will normally break down within a few days and may even come off on the first day. Do not be concerned if it falls off.

Sutures

• Dissolvable sutures will break down on their own in approximately 4–10 days.
• Non-dissolvable sutures will be removed at your first post-operative appointment.
• Do not pull on sutures.

Swelling

Some swelling is normal.

• During the first day, apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek over the treated area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
• Elevate your head while sleeping, such as by using extra pillows.
• Minimize movement of the surgical area.
• Swelling is usually greatest 2–3 days after treatment and may progress to bruising.

Bleeding

Red saliva or a small amount of bleeding is normal for 1–3 days following most periodontal procedures.

Apply firm pressure with gauze or a tea bag for 10 minutes. This normally stops bleeding. Call 303-755-4500 if bleeding is excessive or cannot be stopped.

Eating

Eat softer foods for 2 weeks after periodontal surgery. As a general guideline, foods you can cut with the side of a plastic fork are usually acceptable.

Avoid hot foods for the first 2 days after surgery.

Foods You Can Eat

• Chicken
• Fish
• Pasta
• Shakes — do not drink with a straw
• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Cottage cheese
• Cooled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Room-temperature soup
• Oatmeal

Foods to Avoid

• Chips
• Acidic foods
• Hard or sharp foods
• Hot and spicy foods
• Carrots, celery, and other hard vegetables
• Nuts and popcorn
• Hard, crunchy bagels
• Crusty breads
• Crunchy cookies
• Foods containing seeds, including seeded fruits, muffins, breads, and jams with seeds, as seeds can become trapped beneath the gums

Specific Procedure Instructions

Sinus Grafts

• Do not blow your nose for at least 2 weeks.
• Do not hold in sneezes.
• Nosebleeds are normal after sinus grafting.

Gum Grafts

The area where the graft was taken—the palate—may be tender.

• Leave the retainer in place for 24–48 hours, according to your doctor’s instructions.
• The retainer is intended for comfort. Wear it during the first week as desired; wearing it while eating is recommended.
• If liquid bandage is used to cover the palate, it will peel off within approximately 1 week.
• Do not be alarmed if the graft changes color. This is normal and part of the healing process.
• Refrain from brushing the treated area for 1 week.

Laser Periodontal Therapy

• Gum-tissue discoloration after treatment is common.
• Gum tissue should return to a normal pink color approximately 1–2 weeks after treatment.
• Cold sensitivity in teeth is normal and should lessen with time.

Contact Information

Periodontal Associates – The Dental Implant Team
2900 South Peoria Street, Building D
Aurora, CO 80014

Office: (303) 755-4500
Fax: 303-755-4047