Post Operative Instructions Following A Free Gingival Graft
Rest:
- Rest quietly with your head elevated for the remainder of the day.
- Always get up slowly from a reclining position to prevent dizziness.
- Limit physical activity as if you have a cold or the flu.
- To encourage rapid healing please REST!
Ice:
- As soon as possible, place an ice pack on your face over the surgical area; 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Use the ice pack for the first 6 hours following surgery. This will contribute to your comfort and minimize swelling.
- Moist heat may be applied the day following surgery for added comfort.
Palatal Stent (if one was provided):
- The plastic stent is placed on the palate to protect the donor site. Wear it for 2 days, removing only to clean and re-apply Orabase ointment.
- Three days after surgery, begin to leave the stent out, wearing it only when needed for comfort.
- Approximately 5 days after surgery leave the stent out completely.
Medication:
- Ideally, pain medication should be taken BEFORE numbness wears off. You may wish to take your pain medication at our office immediately following surgery, but you MUST HAVE A DRIVER. If you do not have a driver you may take the medication as prescribed as soon as you arrive at home.
- If the pain medication seems to wear off before it is time to take more, you may want to alternate it with Ibuprofen every two hours. (Ibuprofen: Adults do not exceed 800mg four times a day).
- If an antibiotic was prescribed, take it as directed until it is ALL GONE.
- Some pain medications may cause lightheadedness. Lying down will help this.
- Some medications may cause an upset stomach. Taking these with food will lessen this effect.
Bleeding/Healing:
- Some seepage of blood is expected, however, extensive bleeding should not occur. If such bleeding should occur, apply firm pressure with moist gauze or warm, moistened tea bag to the area for 20 minutes. If bleeding does not subside, please call.
- The “look” of your graft will change over the next few weeks. It first turns white, and then can turn pink. This is normal healing of the graft.
Mouthcare:
- Avoid rinsing, spitting, or sucking through a straw for the first 24 hours following surgery as blood is clotting and this could disturb the healing process.
- Do not rinse with salt-water or mouthwash as they are irritants to the palate and will cause pain and delay healing.
- Begin rinsing with the prescription peridex mouth-rinse 24 hours after your surgery.
- You may begin to brush the NON-SURGICAL area the day following surgery. *Remember to rinse very gently with the prescription rinse.
- Do not touch surgical sites for the first week; you could dislodge the healing tissue.
- Do not pull lip away to view graft site.
Eating:
- Eat softer foods such as pasta, eggs, yogurt, baked potato or hot cereal.
- Chew in the non-surgical areas as much as possible.
- Avoid extremes: very hot, very cold, acidic foods, also hard or crunchy foods.
- Maintain a balanced diet.
Fluids:
- Fluids should be consumed as soon as possible. It is recommended that you drink 6-8 glasses of water over the remainder of the day following surgery.
- Avoid using a straw as it may cause suction, which may loosen clotting and cause bleeding and loss of graft.
Alcohol/Aspirin:
- DO NOT CONSUME ALCOHOL WHILE ON PAIN MEDICATION.
- Avoid the use of alcohol and aspirin products for 2 days after surgery or until you are no longer taking pain medication. These are both blood thinners and may cause bleeding and delay the healing process.
Smoking:
- We strongly advise NOT SMOKING after surgery. Smoking delays the healing, increases discomfort, and may encourage bleeding and infection in the surgical site.
If you have any questions or concerns please call us!
Kenmore Office (425) 486-9111; Tri-Cities Office - refer to Kenmore (425) 486-9111; Emergency (425) 381-0227
