Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation® Post-Operative Care

Activity: After leaving the office, avoid strenuous physical activity for the next 2-3 days.

Swelling: Some swelling may be present after the surgery for the first week. Cold liquids may help reduce swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. Sip iced drinks, milkshakes, or similar cold liquids and keep the surgical area cold for the remainder of the day after surgery. Do not use a straw, as this suction can start bleeding. Swelling may also be minimized by placing an ice pack over the operated area on the outside of the face for the first 48 hours following the surgery, alternating on and off at 15-20-minute intervals.

Oral Hygiene: No brushing, flossing, or touching surgical site(s) for 6 weeks post-surgery. Continue to brush and floss the teeth that were NOT involved in the surgery. The surgical area should NOT be disturbed for the entire 6 weeks. However, you may rinse gently, (lips apart, no chipmunk cheeks), with salt water or with a mouthwash if prescribed. Patients with Waterpik irrigation systems may use from tongue side or inside only.

Discomfort and Medications: As is the case with any surgical procedure, some discomfort can be expected following the surgery. Expect cold sensitivity for 6 weeks or longer. Please follow the instructions for any medications prescribed. If any adverse reaction to those medications should arise, such as nausea, itching, swelling, or any allergic symptoms, please contact the office immediately and discontinue all medication. Here are some our most commonly used medications, all of which may not apply to you.

Ibuprofen – Healthy adults can take up to 800mg of Ibuprofen every 8 hours if needed. This may help with pain, swelling and inflammation.

Mouthwash – If you are prescribed a mouthwash, you should begin to use it the day after the surgery. Gently rinse with about a tablespoon for 30 seconds and then spit it out. Use twice daily. Do not rinse vigorously. Try not to eat or drink for one hour following use.

Antibiotics – If antibiotics are prescribed; take them as directed until ALL ARE GONE, as long as there are no adverse reactions or discomfort. Women, please be aware the antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. If taking oral contraceptives, an alternative form of birth control is recommended for at least 4 weeks following the completion of the antibiotics.

Probiotics: If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, please consider taking an over-the-counter probiotic supplement. The probiotic will provide more friendly bacteria present in the gut, the lower the chance of developing digestive issues like diarrhea. Three strains of probiotics in particular, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis  have been shown to do this. They can safely be taken at exactly the same time as antibiotic medication. Yogurt is another option for probiotics. However, keep in mind that not all yogurt contains live probiotics. In some cases, the live bacteria have been killed during processing. For this reason, make sure to choose yogurt with active or live cultures. Also, always read the label on yogurt before you buy it and look for the Lactobacillus strain. The recommended dosage is as follows for either the probiotic supplement or yogurt:

• Take one probiotic capsule daily with breakfast, with your antibiotic medication and until the antibiotic course is finished, and for one week after.
• Eat one tablespoon of yogurt each time you take your antibiotic tablet.

Eating and Drinking: It is necessary to maintain a relatively normal diet throughout the course of healing. Drink plenty of fluids. For the first few days, softer foods can be eaten. Hot foods and hot drinks should be avoided. Also, avoid using a straw. If possible, chewing should be done predominately on the side opposite the surgical site. It may be necessary to stick to liquids for the first day if chewing is uncomfortable. Avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy or difficult to cleanse from the surgical site (popcorn, caramel candies, chips, etc.)

Smoking: Please refrain from smoking during the post-surgical period as tobacco use interferes with the healing process.

DO NOT DISTURB GRAFTING: Do not look at or disturb the graft. Try to avoid touching the graft or pulling on the lips in the treated area. Graft stability is critical for success.

Sutures: They are usually not needed, but in some cases may be placed if deemed necessary. These are the stitches which may get loose over time and fall out on their own. Most will dissolve, but continued follow-up care is still necessary.

Follow-Up: Additional follow-up care and maintenance is critical for the long-term success of your surgery. Please continue to follow-up as recommended.

Problems or Questions? Call the doctor immediately, if you have unexpected pain, continuous bleeding, or heat from the surgical site.

If you have been given a prescription for a Medrol Dose Pack , please take it as follows not in the manner in which it reads on the package Please take all the pills for the first day in one dose as early in the morning as possible and do the same with each daily dose there after until gone. If given a refill, please do not get it filled unless you have been instructed too by the office.

If you have any questions, please contact our office. 614-885-1215 or office@oirdental.com.