Gum & Bone Grafting Aftercare Instructions
Care after your grafting procedure will help to ensure proper healing and limit potential complications.
Take a pain medication before the freezing comes out. Your dentist will prescribe a medication if necessary, but often Tylenol or Advil is adequate. Take this first dose 3-4 hours after procedure and then take regular doses if you have any discomfort at all, especially for the first two days. Don’t wait to see if it will get really painful before taking the medication.
If your dentist prescribes an antibiotic, make sure you take this until it is gone, even if you are feeling completely well.
Do not rinse your mouth on the day of your procedure. You may drink and eat soft foods but do not rinse and spit. Starting the day after your procedure, you should gently rinse 2-3 times per day. If your dentist has given you a mouthrinse, use this. Otherwise use warm salt water for rinsing. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Do not use over-the-counter mouthrinses for post-grafting rinsing.
Cold in the mouth – ice cubes, cold drinks, ice cream – will provide comfort and minimize swelling.
Do not drink from a straw.
Do not smoke, as it increases bleeding and delays healing.
Do not touch or disturb the area with your tongue, fingers, or instruments (ie. eating utensils). Do not pull the cheek or lip in this area to try to get a look at the area.
Drink lots of liquids and limit foods to soft foods for at least two days after the procedure.
Avoid acidic and spicy foods for your comfort.
Do not brush or floss in the area of the procedure until after your first post-operative visit with your dentist.
Please contact the office if you have any questions or concerns or if your symptoms worsen. It is normal to have discomfort, swelling, and occasionally bruising after gum grafting. If these symptoms start to improve then get worse again, you should contact us.