So, the hard part is over! You’ve taken a huge step toward saving your smile. Now, the baton passes to you. The way you care for your mouth over the next few weeks determines how quickly you heal and how successful your results will be.
At Chula Vista Periodontics, we provide every patient with a custom recovery roadmap. Here is the specialist-approved guide to post-surgical care.
1. The “Golden Rule”: Protect the Clot
The blood clot that forms at your surgical site is like a biological “band-aid.” If it gets dislodged, healing stops and pain (like a dry socket) begins.
No Straws: The suction from a straw can pull the clot right out.
No Spitting: Forceful spitting creates a vacuum in your mouth. If you need to rinse, let the liquid “fall” out of your mouth into the sink.
No Smoking: Smoking constricts blood flow and introduces toxins that can cause .
2. Specialized Cleaning (The “Do Not Brush” Zone)
You still need to keep your mouth clean, but you must be strategic.
The Treatment Site: Avoid brushing, flossing, or using an electric toothbrush on the surgical area for at least 3 weeks (or as specifically directed for ).
The Rest of Your Mouth: Continue to brush and floss your untreated teeth normally to keep bacteria levels low.
Rinsing: After 24 hours, you may begin gentle warm salt water rinses (1/2 tsp salt in 8oz water) to soothe the area and kill bacteria.
3. The “Soft & Cool” Diet
What you eat is just as important as how you clean. For the first 3 weeks, you should follow a .
Day 1: Stick to cold or room-temperature liquids and very soft foods like yogurt, smoothies (no straws!), or applesauce. Cold foods help minimize swelling.
Week 1-2: Transition to “mushy” foods you can smash with a fork—mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, and steamed vegetables.
Avoid: Anything crunchy, spicy, or seedy (like popcorn, chips, or strawberries) that can get lodged under the gumline and cause a .
4. Managing Swelling and Discomfort
Some swelling is a natural part of the body’s inflammatory response, usually peaking around the third day.
Ice Packs: Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face (20 mins on, 20 mins off) for the first 24 hours only.
Elevation: Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first two nights to reduce throbbing and swelling.
Medication: Take any prescribed antibiotics until they are all gone. For discomfort, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are typically very effective when taken as scheduled.
Why Chula Vista Trusts Us for Post-Op Care
We are the most sought-after office in Chula Vista because we don’t just “do the surgery” and send you home. We offer:
Holistic Healing: We use to speed up your body’s natural recovery.
Direct Access: Our patients receive clear instructions and have a direct line to our team for any .
Specialist Precision: uses minimally invasive laser techniques that significantly reduce the “down-time” compared to traditional surgery.
or call us at (619) 425-9770 if you have any questions about your recovery.
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