BANDAGE
A pink wound dressing may have been placed to protect the bone graft and allow for better healing. Do not eat any hard/sharp foods that may break the bandage. Please brush very gently around the dressing. It may come loose before your next appointment, but do not remove it unless it falls off on its own.
BLEEDING
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24-48 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
SWELLING
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, you can apply a bag of ice for 30 minutes at a time for the first 36 hours.
ORAL HYGIENE
Do not use mouthwash for the first week. Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. You can brush and floss your other teeth as normal starting today, but DO NOT USE YOUR REGULAR TOOTHBRUSH AND FLOSS ON THE SURGICAL SITE until your next visit. If you have been given a “Post-Operation Toothbrush”, use this toothbrush on the surgical site only until your next visit.
DIET
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food when numb. Soft food and liquids should be eaten for at least 2 weeks. Do not eat on the side of surgery. NO HARD FOODS (ex: ALL NUTS, chips, granola, French baguette, tough meat, meat with bone).
PAIN
You should take one of pain medications for the first 24 hours to help decrease pain and swelling. The next time you should take pain medication should be around dinner time or before you go to bed. Starting tomorrow around lunch, if you do not have pain, you do not need to take the pain medication. Eat food and drink water while taking medication to avoid an upset stomach. Do NOT drink alcohol while taking medications. Do not take any of the medication below if you are allergic or have been instructed to not take it.
- Aleve 220mg: 1 tablet every 8-12 hours as needed for pain.
- Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 200mg: 2-3 tablets every 6-8 hours as needed for pain.
- Extra Strength Tylenol 500mg: 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
ANTIBIOTICS
Take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection. You are 33% less likely to have an infection if you take the antibiotics. If you are allergic to any medications, please notify Dr. Sung immediately.
- Amoxil 500mg: 1 capsule 3x/day until all gone.
- Flagyl 250 mg: 1 tablet 3x/day until all gone.
- Augmentin 875 mg: 1 tablet 2x/day until all gone.
- Z Pak: starting tomorrow, 1 tablet 1x/day until all gone.
ACTIVITY
Avoid strenuous activity for a minimum of 3 days (running, jumping, heavy lifting). If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising.
POST-OP APPOINTMENT
Please make an appointment to return in 2-4 weeks unless otherwise instructed. If you need to contact us after office hours, please call the emergency line 713.777.1202 or email OFFICE@SUNG.DENTAL. If I do not answer immediately, please leave a voice message with your name and number. I make every attempt to answer my emergency phone as promptly as possible.