Post Operative Instructions Following Periodontal Surgery

• NO eating or drinking for 2 hours after surgery was completed.

• Do not drink alcoholic/carbonated beverages in the first 2 days.

• Do not drink through a straw or rinse the area for the first 2 days.

• The stitches are dissolvable and may begin to come loose in the first 48 hours following surgery.  

• Light bleeding for the first 24 hours following surgery is normal.

• Once the stiches come out, you should perform oral hygiene procedures in the surgical site over the next two weeks with caution.  This means brush the gum tissue with light contact.  You can rinse with alcohol-free Listerine or other alcohol-free rinses, warm salt water or just water if necessary to keep area clean.

• AVOID eating hard, tough, or rough foods (chips, popcorn, nuts, caramels, steak) during the first two weeks following surgery. It is best to chew in areas of the mouth away from where the surgery was done.

• Slight amounts of discomfort and swelling are normal and to be expected following surgery. If the pain becomes severe in spite of medication, or you experience an unusual amount of swelling, call the doctor immediately.

• For pain relief, we recommend Ibuprofen, 400 mg every 6 hrs, and Tylenol, 500 mg every 6 hrs in an alternating dosage with the Ibuprofen. (i.e., alternate meds every 3 hrs)

• You may start brushing and flossing normally after 2 weeks.  You may begin to use a proxybrush between your teeth.  You can also use a waterpik, however you should use it gently and do not aim it directly at the surgical area.  You can start using to waterpik directly in the area 6 weeks after surgery.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the doctor at:

Office: 970-385-6800

Cell:  970-739-8291