PURPOSE: The purpose of these instructions are to assist you in having a pleasant and
uneventful experience following your periodontal treatment.
Patients who have undergone periodontal treatment utilizing sedation (oral sedation or I.V.
sedation) are NOT PERMITTED TO DRIVE while under the influence of these medications
and should be carefully attended by a responsible person for at least four (4) to six (6) hours
after treatment.
You should relax for the remainder of the day following your surgery.
DO NOT drive while taking medications for discomfort with sedative properties such as:
Codeine, Hydrocodone, Percodan etc. Ask your doctor to prescribe a non-sedating medication
for discomfort if this is an issue for you.
DO NOT eat until the local anesthesia has worn off.
DO NOT drink any alcoholic beverages.
DO NOT eat or drink hot liquids.
DO NOT drink carbonated liquids such as coke, 7-up, etc.
DO NOT drink through a straw or spit out your saliva as this will increase bleeding.
DO NOT smoke for 48 hours, and then limit your smoking to ensure proper healing.
After the procedure you will be numb for at least 4 hours. It is recommended that you DO NOT
eat until the numbness goes away, however, you may have cold liquids. Start taking your
medications after you begin cold liquids.
When you get home, lay or sit in a comfortable, reclined position. DO NOT lay flat, and DO
NOT lay in a position in which your head is lower than your feet. Place a few pillows under
your head and knees.
The goal of conservative, non-surgical therapy is the elimination of the microorganisms
responsible for periodontal destruction, from the pocket and surrounding tissue. The creation of
a clean tooth and a clean biologically compatible root surface that is as smooth as possible, and
the possible removal of diseased or infected tissues are essential to therapy.
Indications
Conservative procedures without surgery are indicated for mild, moderate, and severe
periodontitis. At 4 weeks, a re-evaluation will be performed by your periodontist to see if
further treatment is needed.
Home Care Instructions
**If you were given an oral sedation, see attached instructions for oral sedation.
**If you were given localized anesthesia, your mouth will not feel normal for 1 to 7 hours,
depending on the type of local anesthesia given. Do not eat or drink anything hot until the anesthesia wears off. You may have cold liquids.
This evening you can begin all instructions given by your hygienist or dental assistant. This
may include tooth brushing, flossing, proxabrush, D-Plaker (toothpick), or sulca brush. Only
use the tools that were instructed for you personally. You may start doing the mouth rinses the
morning of the procedure is scheduled for. Place rinse in your
mouth and swish around your mouth for about 30 seconds.
The warm salt water rinses should be started the morning after surgery. One cup of warm
water mixed with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Hold it and swish in your mouth for a few
seconds. You may do this as often as you like, especially after you eat However DO NOT do this immediately after you
use the perio rinse. Continue perio rinses until finished.
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE ALL HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NEXT 4
WEEKS, 2-3 TIMES DAILY. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE
TREATMENT PERFORMED TODAY!
At 4 weeks you should return to our office for the re-evaluation with your periodontist to
determine if further treatment is needed.