These instructions are essential for a smooth and comfortable recovery after the bone graft surgery. Follow them diligently to ensure optimal healing and minimize complications.
- Wait for the local anaesthesia to fully wear off before consuming hot foods or drinks and be cautious during the numbness period.
- The surgical area will have collagen membrane and sutures protecting the freshly placed graft. It is best to protect this area for a few days while the initial healing process starts. Try to avoid chewing directly in this area.
- Avoid hard foods such as chewing ice, bones, or eating hard nuts such as almonds during healing. A soft diet is advised for at least 2 weeks. (e.g., yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, soup, or a protein shake.
- Avoid using straws as it may encourage bleeding.
- Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks as it will affect the healing. Smoking delays healing and commonly causes dry sockets.
- Do not drink alcoholic drinks while you are taking antibiotics or pain killers.
- Do not engage in exercise, vigorous activity or operate machinery for the first 1-3 days.
- Do not rinse your mouth the day of surgery and try to limit your rinsing to twice daily maximum to reduce the likelihood of a dry socket forming.
- The day after surgery, you may start rinsing your mouth every 3-4 hours (after every meal) with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling, bruising and pain (Seek dentist if pain or swelling does not decrease after a few days).
- Attend Follow up appointments to monitor healing and address concerns. See dentist at once if your pain or swelling worsens of if you develop a fever.
- Brushing should be done twice daily as per normal for your teeth and gently around the surgical site.
- Use the mouth rinse given as instructed to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth.
- Keep your head elevated to decrease excessive bleeding.
- Take the antibiotics and painkillers as prescribed to reduce bacterial load and prevent infection. Please ensure you finish the course of antibiotics. Please also ensure you take the medication on a full stomach.