Will it hurt ?
Mild to moderate discomfort may occur during the first few days post-operatively. Take your prescribed pain killers as directed to alleviate discomfort. If antibiotics were prescribed to you, make sure to take the entire prescription as directed.
Will I have facial swelling ?
Slight swelling and bruising may occur, and can be minimized by :
- applying ice on the treated region. Keep the ice compress on for about 20 minutes per hour for the first day. DO NOT apply ice after the first 24 hours, as this could slow down the healing and increase the risk of infection.
Will I bleed ?
Even if the bleeding has already stopped when you leave the clinic, your saliva will continue to have a reddish colour for the first 24 hours. To prevent bleeding, AVOID the following:
- First 24 hours:
- AVOID hot food and drinks
- AVOID smoking
- DON’T drink with a straw
- DON’T spit and rinse your mouth
- Exercise is not recommended for at least 48 hours
If bleeding occurs, you can stop it by following these tips:
- Stay calm… the more agitated you are, the more you bleed
- AVOID spitting or rinsing your mouth, this will increase bleeding
- Locate the area where there is bleeding.
- Take a clean facecloth and damp it with cold water. Use it to apply a firm pressure to the area which must be held for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- If the bleeding doesn’t stop, repeat the last step and put pressure with a damp tea bag
What can I eat?
The surgical site is fragile , and care must be taken not to chew with the treated teeth during the first 3 weeks.
Day 1:
Restrict your diet to cold or lukewarm and soft foods such as ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and purees.
We have prepared for you a delicious smoothie recipe guide! Take a look at our new section that will give you access to recipes approved by our periodontists.
Days 2-21:
Avoid any food that requires excessive chewing or that is crunchy or sticky such as popcorn, nuts, bread, crust, raw vegetables, steak, caramel, chewing gum etc.
Eat soft or semi-soft foods and DO NOT chew on the side of the mouth that was operated on. You may eat foods such as eggs, minced meat, fish, soups, well-cooked vegetables, pasta and rice.
When can I brush my teeth ?
Day 1 – AVOID brushing, flossing or rinsing in all areas.
Days 2 à 28 – You may begin brushing and flossing in non treated area as usual.
However, it is important to AVOID brushing and flossing the teeth where treatment was done until further instructions. During this period, you must use the prescribed antibacterial mouth rinse twice a day.
What will my gums look like ?
The initial appearance of healing gums varies in color from white/ gray to red/blue. It is important to leave the surgical area undisturbed, because retracting the cheek or lips to have a look will hinder the healing process and increase chance of complications.
Do I need to have a post-operative visit ?
It is very important that you return for a post-operative follow up about 7 to 14 days after the surgery. At this visit, we will remove your sutures and explain to you how to take care of the operated area in order to achieve optimal healing.
Who can I call if I have questions ?
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us:
- Dr Louis Drouin: 514-630-6899 ext.1
- Dr Alexandre Taché: 514-630-6899 ext.2
- Dr André Shenouda: 514-630-6899 ext.4
- Dre Romina Perri: 514-630-6899 ext.3
- Dre Sophie Bernard: 514-630-6899 ext.3
