After leaving the office, relax for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity for several days. For graft placement, avoid trauma to area, especially vigorous face washing or resting of the telephone on your chin. Do not replace dressing(bandage) if dislodged.

Some swelling is normal, and an ice pack held on the cheek or lip over the surgical site for intermittent periods (10 to 20 minutes on and 10 to 20 minutes off) during the first 24 to 48 hours may help reduce swelling and will relieve some discomfort. For any residual swelling after the first 48 hours, heat is encourage (hot water bottle, heating pad, etc.) to increase circulation and promote healing. If swelling becomes progressively more sever after 2 to 3 days, please les ut know.

There should be minimal bleeding after the surgery is completed. There may be a pink discoloration of your saliva for several hours; frank bleeding (bright red) is not to be expected. Should bleeding occur, place a moistened tea bag (no herbal tea) over the area and hold it against the bleeding site. It may be take several minutes before the bleeding stops. If there is no change in the amount of bleeding, call the office immediately.

Dissolvable sutures (stitches) are placed to hold the gingival tissues on the proper position for ideal healing. Your doctor will want you to return so that she can observe sufficient healing of the surgical area. Do not disturb the sutures with your tongue, toothbrush, or any other manner since displacement will impair healing.

It is necessary to maintain a relatively normal diet throughout the course of healing. For the first few days, soft food, cool or room temperature, may be eaten. Chewing should be done predominantly on the site opposite the surgical site. It may be necessary to stick to liquids for the first day, if chewing is uncomfortable. High protein foods and liquids are desirable for 3 to 4 days post surgery.

It is important to maintain a normal level of oral hygiene in the non-surgical areas by brushing and flossing. The assistant will have instructed you on the care of the surgical area.

Take medications as instructed. Generally, medications should not be taken on an empty stomach. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them as directed until ALL are gone as long as there are no adverse reactions or discomfort.

Please do not smoke during post surgical period, as wound healing will be delayed.

If you have any questions, please give the office a call at (719)418-2456 or (719)924- 9879.