Implant and Oral Surgery Post Operative instructions
1209 West 5th Street, Suite 100 Austin. TX 78703 P: (512) 391-0011 F: (512) 391-0031
First 24 hours — IV sedation patients
Start with clear fluids to re-hydrate your body, then transition to a soft diet before taking any pain medication.
- Diet
2-week soft diet
Remain on a soft or no-chew diet for 2 weeks. Avoid putting any pressure on the surgical site. A good rule of thumb: if you cannot mash it with the back of a fork, do not eat it.
Gauze instructions
Milkshakes & smoothies
Oatmeal & pudding
Pasta & mashed potatoes
Avoid
Crunchy snacks
Anything requiring biting
Pressure on surgical site
- Pain and Medication
Take your prescribed pain medication as needed, following the label instructions. Always take pain medication with food — never on an empty stomach.
If pain is severe
If a single dose of your prescribed pain medication is not providing relief, you may double the dosage. Taking Ibuprofen between doses can also significantly help — if you are able to take Ibuprofen.
Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed to prevent infection. Complete the full course even if you feel better.
Nausea from medication
Call our office if you become nauseous from pain medications. We can call in an anti-nausea prescription for you.
- Bleeding
Follow these steps after surgery to manage bleeding:
- Bite firmly on the gauze pad provided for approximately 1 hour following surgery.
- If bleeding continues after 1 hour, replace the gauze with a fresh pad and apply firm pressure for another 30 minutes.
- Repeat this process until bleeding stops. Some minor redness in saliva for 24–48 hours is normal.
- Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth as well as you can, but avoid the surgical area for the first week. Avoid electric toothbrushes for the first 6 weeks.
- Beginning the day after surgery, clean your mouth thoroughly after every meal.
- Rinse with warm salt water 4–6 times a day for the first 7–10 days.
- Salt water rinse recipe
½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 cup of warm water
Remember
A clean wound heals better and faster. Mouth cleanliness is essential to a good outcome.
- Activity
Keep physical activity to a minimum immediately after surgery. Exercise raises your heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause throbbing or increased bleeding at the surgical site.
If you try to exercise
Stop immediately if throbbing or bleeding occurs. Keep in mind that reduced food intake after surgery may also weaken you and limit your normal capacity.
After-hours emergencies — Dr. Eggleston
(512) 391-0011 ext. 103
Available after hours for urgent concerns