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After your periodontal surgery appointment, your lips, teeth and tongue may be numb for several hours. Avoid any chewing until the numbness has completely worn off. Don't eat anything for two hours following surgery.
It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after surgery. To control discomfort, take pain medication as recommended. Don't take medication on an empty stomach, or you may feel nauseated.
Apply an ice pack—20 minutes on, 20 minutes off—for 6 hours following surgery to decrease pain and swelling.
After 24 hours, to further reduce pain and swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water; put a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, and then gently rinse, swish, and spit. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone.
Some slight bleeding is normal for a day or so following the surgery. If bleeding persists, apply firm pressure with a gauze pad or bite on a tea bag for 20 minutes and elevate your head with pillows. Call your dentist if this doesn't control bleeding, or if bleeding increases.
For the first 48 hours, restrict your diet to soft foods such as yogurt, ice cream, soft soups and cottage cheese.
Relax as much as possible and avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours following surgery. In the other areas of your mouth, continue your normal homecare routine. You may gently rinse around the treated area with warm water or mouthwash, but frequent or vigorous rinsing must be avoided until the area is fully healed.
Call your dentist if pain or swelling persists, or if you have any questions or concerns.