Caring For Your Osseous Surgery
Today we performed osseous surgery to treat advanced gum disease, cleaning deep below the gum line and reshaping the bone so your gums can fit tightly against the teeth again. This gives you the best chance to keep your teeth long term. The next two weeks of care are important, here is how to heal well.
The First Few Days
- Soreness and swelling are expected and often peak around day 2 to 3.
- Rest with your head elevated. Ice the cheek 20 on, 20 off the first 24 hours.
- Some oozing the first day is normal. Gentle gauze pressure helps.
Protect The Area
- You may have stitches or a dressing. Leave them alone, they may loosen on their own.
- Do not brush the surgical site until we clear you. Brush elsewhere normally.
- No smoking, which significantly slows healing and raises the risk of failure.
Eating & Comfort
- Take your medication on schedule, including any antibiotic exactly as prescribed.
- Soft, cool foods for the first several days, chewing away from the site.
- Warm salt water rinses starting the day after, gently, a few times a day.
- No straws or vigorous swishing the first few days.
Call Us If
- Bleeding that is heavy and will not slow after pressure.
- Pain or swelling that worsens after day 3, or a fever.
- The dressing comes off early or stitches come loose in the first day or two.
- A bad taste or odor that does not clear, or anything that concerns you.
How To Protect Your Investment
This surgery gave your gums and bone a fresh start against advanced gum disease. Healing well now, and staying on your maintenance schedule after, is what keeps your teeth for the long run.
- Protect the site while it heals, gentle cleaning only until we clear you, and no smoking.
- Keep your follow-up visits so we can confirm it is healing and remove any stitches or dressing.
- Stay on your periodontal maintenance schedule, usually every 3 months. This is how we keep the disease from coming back and undoing the surgery.
Heal well and keep up your maintenance, and this surgery protects your teeth for years to come!
Questions about your surgery or your recovery? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
