Gingival (Gum) Grafts Post Operative Instructions

Please read through all of the following to help ensure the best healing after your surgery.

Upon arriving at home, lie down with your head above your heart.

Use ice packs on the affected area in 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off) while you are awake.

DO NOT RINSE for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you may start rinsing with the mouth rinse that was prescribed to you, once in the morning after breakfast and once in the evening after dinner.

Wear your stent (if you have one for the first 24 hours after surgery. You may remove your stent within this 24 hour period to apply Orabase ointment and then replace it. You may do this as often as you need to control discomfort. Thereafter, wear the stent when eating, drinking, and when sleeping until your first post-operative visit.

Do not drink any carbonated beverages for 48 hours.

Do not consume alcohol for 48 hours following your last medication taken for discomfort.

Please follow the instructions on the prescriptions given to you.

DO NOT SMOKE - this can kill or damage the graft.

You may brush your teeth in other areas of your mouth, but do not brush the surgical areas until instructed to do so.

EAT ONLY SOFT FOODS. This is very important! Foods should be cool or room temperature. Do not try to eat any foods which might have sharp edges and do not chew (bite) any foods in the areas of the graft(s).

If you have any questions about your recovery or healing process after your gingival grafts procedure, please contact our office.