Patient Information

Post-Op Instructions

These are general post op instructions for the following procedures. If you are having symptoms that are not covered here or have a dental emergency, please contact the office directly.

Laser Periodontal (Gum) Disease Therapy (LPT™)

  1. Do not be alarmed with any color changes or appearance of tissues following laser therapy.  Tissues can be gray, yellow, red, blue, purple, “stringy” and reflect normal response to laser treatments.
  2. Reduce activity for several hours following the surgery.
  3. The morning after treatment begin rinsing twice daily.  In between it is OK to rinse gently every three (3) hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoons of salt dissolved in an 8oz. Glass of warm water). 
  4. Do not brush your teeth for one week after treatment.  There should be no flossing or cleaning between your teeth for one month after treatment.
  5. Do not be alarmed if one of the following occurs:
    1. Light bleeding
    2. Slight swelling
    3. Some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity
  6. Swelling may possibly occur.  To keep this at a minimum, gently place a wrapped ice pack on the outside of the face for 20 minutes each hour until you retire for sleep that night.  Do not continue using the ice pack beyond the day of the periodontal surgery.
  7. Some oozing of blood may occur and will appear to be greatly exaggerated when it dissolves in saliva.  If excessive bleeding continues, please call the office.
  8. It is very important to maintain a good fluid intake.  Be on a liquid diet for the first 3 days after treatment, and then a soft diet for the next 4 days. 
  9. Please take prescribed medication exactly as directed.
  10. Please call the office so that we may render further treatment if any of the following occurs:
    1. Prolonged or severe pain
    2. Prolonged or excessive bleeding
    3. Considerably elevated or persistent temperature.
  11. Do not be alarmed that beginning with just 2 weeks after therapy and extending as long as 1 year or more, the teeth may become sore, tender, or sensitive as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and become more firm.  This is a sign of healing, but also indicates the presence of a bite imbalance that needs to be adjusted.

Scaling & Root Planning

After your scaling or root planning, it is best to rinse your mouth 2-3 times per day with warm salt water. One teaspoon salt / 8 oz. water. You should start home care immediately, although you should be extremely gentle with the treated areas.

If you feel discomfort in the gum tissue where you had treatment, an Advil or Tylenol may be taken to relieve this feeling. The treated areas might be sensitive to hot and cold.
It is best to refrain from eating any hard or chewy foods for the next 48-72 hours while the treated area begins to heal.

You may also experience some swelling or jaw stiffness. If this does occur, you can place a cold compress on the swelling or a hot towel on the stiffness.

Smoking should be terminated for a period of 48-72 hours following these procedures. Please contact the office if the pain or swelling persists.

Extractions

Bleeding:

It is normal for minor bleeding to occur for the first 24 hours following surgery If slightly heavier bleeding occurs:

  1. Place a piece of wet gauze over the surgery site.
  2. Bite firmly on the gauze for at least 30 minutes. DO NOT chew on it.
  3. If the bleeding continues, call the office
  4. Do not suck on area where surgery occurred, spit, or drink through a straw during the first 48 hours.

Rinsing:

  1. Don't spit or rinse the surgical area on the day of the surgery..
  2. The day after surgery you may gently rinse with warm salt water.
  3. You may brush your teeth the day after the surgery. Be careful of the surgical site.

Eating:

You should start with liquids and very soft foods for the first 24-48 hours following the surgery. If the area feels a little better, you can then move on to a normal diet. Be careful of chewing on hard foods near the surgical area.

Pain & Swelling:

It is normal to experience some degree of swelling.

If you do experience swelling, you can place ice over your face for 20-30 minutes at a time during the first 24 hours. This should help to reduce pain and swelling. Do not ice after the first 36 hours.

If you feel discomfort, it is recommended that you take an Advil or Tylenol to ease the pain. If the pain persists, please contact the office.