Pre & Post-Operative Patient Instructions
To ensure the best possible outcome, please review the following instructions carefully. Contact our office with any questions or concerns.
Before Your Appointment
- Schedule a time you can fully commit to, as your appointment time is reserved specifically for you.
- Eat normally and take your regular medications unless instructed oherwise.
- Inform us at least 7 days in advanced if you take blood thinners (including aspirin), require antibiotic premedication, or would like sedation. Sedation requires a driver to and from your appointment.
- If receiving dental implants, follow all prescribed antibiotic instructions and complete any required pretreatment steps from your general dentist.
After Your Procedure
- Rest and limit activity for the remainder of the day; avoid strenuous activity for 3 days.
- Some bleeding, swelling, and discomfort are normal. Use gauze or a damp tea bag with firm pressure if bleeding persists.
- Apply ice packs (10 minutes on/off) for the first 24 hours, then switch to warm compresses if needed.
- Take prescribed or recommended medications as directed. Contact us if pain, swelling, or fever increases.
- Eat soft foods once numbness wears off and avoid hot liquids, alcohol, and ard or spicy foods initially.
Oral Care
- Continue brushing and flossing in untreated areas. Use a soft toothbrush in treated areas and avoid flossing there for 2 weeks.
- Rinse gently with warm salt water or a recommended mouthwash after the first day. Avoid irrigation devices for 2 weeks.
- If a protective dressing is placed, do not disturb it. Contact us if large portions come off and discomfort occur.
Appliances & Healing
- Limit use of removable dental appliances if they place pressure on the surgical site.
- Minor dressing loss, light bleeding, and swelling are normal parts of healing.
Ongoing Home Care
- Maintain a healthy diet and good oral hygiene habits.
- Brush twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque between teeth and under the gumline.
- Use additional dental aids or rinses as recommended by your dental provider.
