Sinus Precautions

Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will occasionally be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

BLEEDING

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 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, gently bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes.  The tannic acid in the tea will help to form a clot.  In the event the bleeding persists, please call the office for further instructions.

SWELLING

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice to the face where the surgical area is for 20 minutes on, then off for 20 minutes, continuously while you are awake.  Ice for the first 72 hours, unless otherwise instructed.

DIET

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids and/or hot and spicy food. Soft food and liquids should be consumed on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

PAIN

You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one to two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen can be purchased over-the-counter and comes in 200mg tablets. Two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

ANTIBIOTICS

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.

ORAL HYGIENE

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The day after surgery, prescribed oral medicated mouth rinse should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt-water rinses (one-quarter teaspoon of salt in 8 oz.of warm water) should be used at least four to five times a day, as well, especially after meals. Brushing your teeth with the healing abutments is not a problem. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas.

ACTIVITY

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.

WEARING YOUR PROSTHESIS

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be used immediately after surgery and for at least ten days, unless otherwise notified.

SAFE and SECURE MEDICINE DISPOSAL – Unused medications that remain in your medicine cabinet are susceptible to theft and misuse. To prevent medications from getting into the wrong hands, New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs urge you to properly dispose of your expired and unwanted prescription medicine at a nearby Project Medicine Drop location.  DROP OFF IS SIMPLE, ANONYMOUS AND AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY – 365 DAYS A YEAR, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Simply bring in your prescription and over-the-counter medications and discard them in an environmentally safe manner. Always scratch out the identifying information on any medicine container you are discarding. For a list of Project Medicine Drop locations, please visit www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop.