Post Surgical Operative Instructions

Instructions:

Minimize talking the day of surgery. 

There should be no strenuous activity for 24 hours after surgery.

Keep an ice pack on your check at the surgical site for the next 3 days (but no longer) according to the following schedule.  Apply 15 minutes on, 5 minutes off. 

Please do not rinse your mouth, gargle, or drink from a straw for 36 hours.  Any of these may cause bleeding.

After 36 hours, rinse gently after meals with warm water to dislodge any particles that my lodge in the surgical area. 

Nutrition is very important.  We strongly recommend you maintain a healthy diet while the surgical area is healing.

Avoid crunch food such as potato chips. 

Do not chew on this side where surgery was performed.

Do not brush the surgical area for the first week.  However, you may GENTLY clean the area with a Q-tip moistened in warm water.  Brush the rest of your mouth as you would normally.  After the first week, resume normal cleaning in the surgical area. 

There may be a dressing in place.  Should it come off before post operative visit, throw it away.  It does not aid the healing process. It is put there for your comfort.

If there is bleeding or pain that does not seem appropriate, please call the office immediately.  If the office is closed, the answering service will help you. 

OFFICE NUMBER:    215-368-5110