The right postoperative care can prove essential when it comes to seeing the full benefits of treatment. In addition to providing general guidelines, we can offer personalized recommendations for recovery based on your treatment and your needs.
Your First 24-48 Hours After Your Procedure
Your initial recovery period is important, which is why you should take guidance seriously in the first few days after treatment as healing begins.
Avoid foods that are hot, spicy, crunchy, or have higher degrees of citrus. Make sure you also avoid smoking and consuming alcohol. For this initial period, you should not use floss, a toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush. Remember to leave the area untouched; do not touch it with your fingers or tongue, and do not pull or tug your lip to look at the affected area.
In this time, stick to liquids and foods that are room temperature. Periodically applying ice to the outside of your face can help with any discomfort. After 24 hours, you can also rely on warm, moist heat for swelling if needed. To address bleeding, apply light pressure with gauze, a clean cloth, or a tea bag.
Managing Discomfort
You can experience initial discomfort as well as more pain and aching sensations as your body is in a more active healing stage. Keep up with taking your antibiotics as directed to prevent complications. Gentle applications of cold and heat (after the first 24 hours) can assist with swelling and pain, and cloth or gauze can take care of bleeding that occurs. We can offer more recommendations for discomfort based on your medical history, the treatment, and your specific needs.
General Foods To Avoid
Stick with a liquid diet for 24 hours after surgery, and be mindful to avoid anything you bite into while your anesthetic is still in effect. After the 24 hour period is up, softer items like potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, and similarly easy to enjoy items that can be crushed through the tines of a fork with minimal pressure are considered safe to eat. After a week, you can start returning to normal eating, but you should rely on your follow-up care to determine when you should resume eating typical pre-surgery meals and snacks.
Booking Follow-up Appointments
We will coordinate with you to confirm that you are healing well and to make sure your next appointment is booked (if one is required). During that visit, we can answer questions, provide a follow-up evaluation, and make sure you are comfortable.
Reach Out With Any Concerns
If at any point you feel that something is wrong, or that the affected area has become injured, infected, or is otherwise concerning you, let us know as soon as possible. When you take these warnings seriously, it becomes easier for us to bring you in and check on the matter before potential complications arise.
Count On Quality Care From FLX Perio!
FLX Periodontics is here to provide more than just your immediate treatment. We offer thorough feedback after your procedure, guidance on enjoying an effective recovery, and subsequent appointments to make sure your treatment was a success! If you would like to learn more, call FLX Periodontics at our Geneva, NY location at 315.789.2389, or reach our Fairport office at 585.223.6040.
