— post-op instructions —
Post-Op Instructions
Everything you need to heal comfortably after your procedure. If anything feels wrong, call us — don’t suffer in silence.
What to expect in the first 24 hours
Most of what you’ll feel right after your procedure is completely normal. A little blood in your saliva looks like a lot — it isn’t. Mild swelling is expected and peaks around day 3. Rest is your best medicine. The instructions below are specific to your procedure. Read yours carefully and call us if anything feels off.
Gum & Tissue Graft Surgery
What to expect
- Some bleeding in saliva is normal for the rest of the day
- Moderate discomfort when the anesthetic wears off, which may continue several days
- Some swelling and discoloration of the lip or cheek is normal for a few days
- Temporary loss of feeling in the gum area is normal
- Teeth may feel loose temporarily and may be sensitive to hot and cold
Do not ice this area
Icing can move the graft out of place. Take ibuprofen instead to manage swelling — two tablets every 3–4 hours.
What to do
- Take all medications as directed. Eat soft foods and drink plenty of fluids before taking pain medication to prevent nausea.
- Take two ibuprofen every 3–4 hours to manage swelling. Start before the anesthesia wears off.
- Do not spit or use a straw for the first 24–48 hours. After 24–48 hours you may gently rinse with warm salt water — ½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water. Tilt your head side to side and let the water fall out. Do not puff your cheeks.
- Do not lift your lip or cheek to look at the area — you could accidentally tear the sutures.
- Sleep on the opposite side from your procedure for the first 3 days.
- Get plenty of rest. No exercise for 2 days after surgery.
- Eat soft, high-protein foods. Drink plenty of water and milk. Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, hard, chewy, or crunchy foods.
- Do not smoke after surgery. Smoking is the number one cause of pain and delayed healing.
- No alcohol until healing is complete or while taking medication.
- Sutures will be removed at your 2-week post-op appointment. Call us if a suture feels loose or breaks.
Do not brush or floss the treated area
For 2 weeks after surgery. Use a manual toothbrush only — no electric toothbrush, no Waterpik.
Dental Implant Placement
What to expect
- Some bleeding in saliva is normal for the rest of the day
- Numbness from local anesthetic lasts several hours — do not bite, chew, or scratch the numb area
- Numbness or tingling can sometimes continue for six weeks or longer — this is normal
- Some swelling is expected
Ice schedule
Apply ice to your cheek for 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Continue for the first day only.
What to do
- Pain
- Take two Tylenol, Advil, or Nuprin every 3–4 hours. Start before the anesthesia wears off. If prescription pain medication was prescribed, take as directed. Do not exceed the labeled dose.
- Nausea
- Take pain medication with soft food and a full glass of water to prevent nausea.
- Brushing
- Do not brush for the first 8 hours. After 8 hours brush gently — avoid the surgery area for 3 days.
- Rinsing
- No rinsing for the first 24 hours. After 24 hours rinse gently with: ½ teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon baking soda + 8 oz warm water. Avoid commercial mouthwash.
- Diet
- Soft foods for the first two days. Drink plenty of water. No alcohol for 48 hours.
- Activity
- Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity.
- Antibiotics
- If prescribed, take the full course as directed.
Taking antibiotics?
Some antibiotics reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use alternate birth control methods for two months.
- Sinus
- If your sinus was involved, do not blow your nose or play a wind instrument for one week.
- Smoking
- Stop smoking following surgery. Smoking substantially reduces implant healing and success.
- Follow-up
- You may need to return within 14 days for suture removal or a healing check.
Surgical Tooth Extraction
What to expect
- Light bleeding for the first 3 days is normal
- A little blood mixed with saliva looks like a lot — it isn’t
- Swelling is normal and typically peaks on day 3
- Keep your head elevated on 2 pillows for 3–4 days
Ice schedule
Apply an ice pack to your cheek. 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for the first 24 hours.
What to do
- Gauze
- Keep gauze in place for 20 minutes after your extraction. Replace with fresh gauze moistened with water as needed. Remove gauze before sleeping.
- Pain
- Take 500mg Acetaminophen (Tylenol) AND 400mg Ibuprofen (2 × 200mg tablets) together every 4–6 hours as needed.
- Eating
- Soft foods for the first few days — soup, Jello, protein shakes. No dairy for the first 24 hours. Progress to normal foods as healing allows.
- Brushing
- Avoid the extraction site for the first 24 hours. After that brush surrounding teeth gently. Do not brush or rinse the extraction site directly.
- Rinsing
- After 24 hours rinse gently with saltwater — ½ teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water. Rinse after each meal and before bed. Roll water gently side to side — do not swish.
- Follow-up
- We will see you back in 14 days to remove sutures and check healing.
What to avoid
- NO straws — suction dislodges the clot
- NO smoking for the first 72 hours — nicotine patches available at any pharmacy
- NO hard exercise or heavy lifting
- NO forceful spitting or swishing
Dry socket warning
Dry socket occurs when the clot in the extraction site is dislodged, exposing the bone. Signs include throbbing pain and a bad taste. Call us immediately if you experience these symptoms.
When to call us right away
Call (541) 550-5311 immediately if you have:
- Uncontrollable pain
- Severe or excessive bleeding
- Fever
- Warm swelling appearing several days after your procedure
- Rash, itching, or difficulty breathing after taking medication
- Throbbing pain and bad taste (possible dry socket)
If it’s after hours and something feels seriously wrong, go to your nearest emergency room.