Periodontal Surgery – Post-op Instructions

Advice for care after periodontal surgery.

1. DO NOT rinse your mouth today, as this could encourage bleeding. You can have a drink but nothing very hot whilst your mouth is still numb.
2. Take care not to bite or burn your mouth or lips whilst they are still numb.
3. Your mouth could be sore, so you may wish to take painkillers over the next 24-48 hours. Ibuprofen is good unless you have stomach ulcers or have been told not to use it. Take it with food. Otherwise, take whatever you would usually take for discomfort, but DO NOT take Aspirin, as it may make the area bleed. If the area/socket starts to bleed, roll up a clean handkerchief into a sausage shape, put it onto the wound and apply pressure for 10-15 minutes or as directed by your dentist. This should stop the area from bleeding.
4. Take no excess exercise for the next 24 hours.
5. If you had a difficult extraction or minor oral surgery, applying ice packs to the outer surface of the face, local to the wound, will minimise swelling and reduce after-effects.
6. Starting the day after the procedure, rinse twice daily with Curasept/Corsodyl mouthwash to promote healing. Do not use the mouthwash for 1 hour before/after toothbrushing unless using the recommended curasept toothpaste.
7. You may have been prescribed, and it is strongly advised that you take them as instructed. If you suffer any side effects, such as an itchy rash, stop taking the drug and let us know. Diarrhoea from antibiotics is not an allergy and may be helped by eating unsterilised yoghurt once or twice a day.
8. Antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of the “contraceptive pill”, so extra precautions are advised until the start of the next cycle.
9. If you have been prescribed METRONIDAZOLE (FLAGYL), it is important to avoid alcohol.
10. Sutures (stitches), if placed, will be removed in 7-10 days.

If you have any queries, please ring the practice on 01883 712 201. There is an answering machine with contact numbers for those outside working hours.