For 10-14 days (depending on your doctor’s recommendations):
- No brushing or flossing the surgical area
- Soft diet only (no hard or crunchy foods)
After this period you may return to a normal diet and normal hygiene (brush, floss, and waterpik)
Do not be alarmed if one of the following occurs:
● Light bleeding, slight swelling, some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity
● Medicinal taste, from Peridex or Perioguard or staining to the teeth
Post-Surgical Instructions
●Anti-microbial rinses and antibiotic medications may be prescribed for you. Take any prescribed medications according to directions and continue taking until all medications are gone.
● Reduce physical activity for several hours following surgery.
Periodontal laser procedures usually result in little or no discomfort following surgery.
- For the first 24 hour period immediately following surgery, take three (3) Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and 2 Tylenol every 4-6 hours even if you do not have any pain
- For the first 10-14 days after surgery, a soft diet is recommended (see accompanying sheet)
- Stay away from spicy food, and hard and crunchy foods (popcorn, seeds, crackers, nuts, chips).
One of the most important factors in obtaining good results following laser surgery
comes from the blood clots that form around the teeth following surgery.
- It is extremely important not to dislodge the tiny clots that form in and
around the gums. - It is also important to maintain good fluid intake during this period
Carefully avoid chewing food in areas of the mouth where the laser has been used for at least one week following surgery.
- Do not be alarmed with any color changes or appearance of the tissues following laser therapy.
- Tissues can be gray, yellow, red, blue, purple, “stringy” and reflect a normal response to laser treatment.
- Brush, floss and waterpik two weeks after treatment!
- Try to keep other areas of your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the
healing process, brush, floss, and follow other home care measures in all areas of
your mouth except for the surgery area. - It is OK to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth out today.
- Rinse gently, (do not swish) as directed with Peridex or Perioguard morning and night.
- Do not excessively rinse, but instead take the rinse and move head back and forth. o It is OK to gently rinse every three (3) hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon
of salt dissolved in an 8oz glass of warm water). - Do not be alarmed, that beginning in two weeks after the therapy, and extending as long
as one year or more, the teeth may become sore, tender, or sensitive as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and become more firm. This is a sign of healing, but may also indicate the presence of a bite imbalance that may need to be adjusted.