After Periodontal and Implant Surgery

Home Instructions 

 

If you have any concerns about your recovery, please call our office at 360-692-0300.

For All Procedures (Read First)

  • Wait to eat until all numbness from anesthesia has completely worn off to avoid biting your lips, cheeks, or tongue.

  • Discomfort: You may take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. If pain persists, call our office at 360-692-0300.

  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed until finished. Do not stop early even if symptoms improve.

  • If you were prescribed an antimicrobial rinse (such as Peridex/chlorhexidine), begin the day after surgery unless instructed otherwise: use twice daily after meals for 2 weeks. Gently bathe the mouth and let the rinse run out—do not forcefully swish.

  • Activity: Take it easy the day of surgery—avoid heavy lifting, running, or strenuous exercise. Rest quietly at home.

  • Bleeding control: Place a moistened gauze folded in four over the site and apply firm pressure for 10 minutes. A wet tea bag may be used instead. If bleeding persists, call us.

  • Oral hygiene: Continue your usual brushing and flossing everywhere except in the surgical area(s). Avoid vigorous swishing or “pumping” motions. Never rinse in an attempt to stop bleeding.

  • Swelling: Apply an ice pack to the outside of the face near the surgical site—15 minutes on, 15 minutes off during the first 8–12 hours, as needed.

  • Sutures: Many sutures dissolve in 7–10 days; some are non-resorbable and may be removed at your follow-up. If a suture feels loose, that can be normal.

What to Expect (Normal vs. Concerning)

  • Normal: Mild swelling and bruising for 2–5 days, slight oozing or pink saliva for up to 24 hours, and mild tenderness.

  • Call us: Persistent bleeding, foul taste or odor, fever, or increasing pain/swelling after day 3. Call 360-692-0300.

Additional Sinus Precautions (only if your surgery was near the sinus)

  • Avoid blowing your nose, forceful sneezing, using straws, or playing wind instruments for 2 weeks. If you must sneeze, keep your mouth open to reduce sinus pressure.

  • Do not smoke or vape. Avoid flying or high-altitude travel for 1–2 weeks unless cleared by the doctor.

Extractions – Specific Instructions

  • Your extraction site may be packed with a foam-like clotting material or covered with a white Teflon barrier and closed with sutures.

  • Rinsing: Use warm salt-water rinses to gently dislodge any food from the socket. Only mild swishing—no vigorous pumping.

  • Follow-up: Return in 7–10 days for progress check and suture removal, if applicable.

Osseous Surgery & Implants – Specific Instructions

  • Rinsing: Beginning the day after surgery, use the antimicrobial rinse provided, twice daily after meals. Gently bathe the mouth and let the rinse run out—do not forcefully swish.

  • Implants: If a metal healing abutment is present, begin gently cleaning it with a soft-bristled brush starting one week after surgery. Report any looseness of the abutment immediately.

  • Diet: Soft foods for the first week. Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods near the surgical sites.

  • Follow-up: Return in 7–10 days for suture removal and a healing check.

Gum Grafts – Specific Instructions

  • Do NOT pull on your lip or cheek to look at the graft site; this can disturb the graft and delay healing.

  • A periodontal dressing may have been placed over the graft site for comfort and protection. Allow it to remain as long as possible. If it loosens or comes off, simply discard it—do not remove it deliberately.

  • A plastic guard was placed on the roof of your mouth. Wear it continuously for the first 24 hours (removing only to eat and rinse). After 24 hours, wear it as much as possible to reduce discomfort.

  • Diet: Stay on soft foods for one week (e.g., mashed potatoes, soups, smoothies, pastas, cottage cheese, soft sandwiches). Avoid hard, crunchy, seeded foods (especially popcorn), spicy foods, and very hot foods. Chew on the opposite side; do not bite into foods in the graft area.

  • For 3 days: No spitting, sucking (including straws), smoking, or carbonated beverages.

  • If bleeding occurs at the graft or palate, place a moistened sterile gauze folded in four and apply firm finger pressure for 10 minutes before changing. A wet tea bag may be used similarly.

  • Rinsing & home care: Continue normal brushing and flossing everywhere except the surgical sites. Starting the day after surgery, use the prescribed rinse twice daily after meals—gently bathe the mouth and let it run out.

  • Sensitivity: Some tenderness at the roof of your mouth is normal for a few days. Using the guard and cool water rinses can help.

  • Bruising: Some bruising can occur and is usually not a cause for concern. Notify us if you notice excessive swelling.

  • Follow-up: Return in 7–10 days for suture removal and a healing check.

Soft, Healthy Foods to Eat (First Week)

  • Scrambled eggs or egg bites

  • Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir

  • Oatmeal, cream of wheat, or grits

  • Mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes

  • Well-cooked pasta, risotto, or soft noodles

  • Blended soups (tomato, butternut squash, chicken broth with softened noodles)

  • Applesauce, mashed banana, ripe avocado

  • Smoothies (avoid seeds; consider protein powder)

  • Soft cooked vegetables (zucchini, carrots, squash)

  • Soft fish (baked salmon, cod) or shredded rotisserie chicken if tolerated

  • Tofu or soft beans well-cooked and mashed

  • Soft sandwiches on very soft bread (avoid biting with front teeth near graft areas)

Emergency or After-Hours Contact

  • If you have severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or swelling that worsens after 3 days, call our office at 360-692-0300.

  • You have been provided with Dr. Montgomery’s personal cell phone call in succession if it automatically has been placed on do not disturb.

Emergency/Questions: 360-692-0300