Laser Post-Operative Instructions and Diet

    1. Do not be alarmed with any color changes or appearance of tissues following laser therapy. Tissues can be gray, yellow, red, blue, purple, “stringy” and reflect a normal response to laser treatments.
    2. Reduce activity for several hours following the surgery.
    3. It is OK to gently spit, rinse, and wash your mouth today. Do not force spit.
    4. Do not brush or floss the area for seven (7) days, then manual brushing is okay. If using an electric brush do not use until after four (4) weeks.
    5. Try to keep your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the healing process. Brush, floss, and follow other home-care measures in all the areas of your mouth except for surgerized area.
    6. Flossing above the gum in the treated area, using a proxabrush or toothpick should not be done until after 4 weeks.
    7. Do not eat spicy or excessively hot foods.
    8. Do not apply excessive tongue or cheek pressure to the surgerized area.
    9. Do not be alarmed if one of the following occurs:
      • Light bleeding
      • Slight swelling
      • Some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity

 

    1. Swelling may possibly occur. To keep this at a minimum, gently place an ice pack on the outside of the face for 20 minutes each hour until you retire for sleep that night. Do not continue using the ice pack beyond the day of the periodontal surgery.
    2. Some oozing of blood may occur and will appear to be greatly exaggerated when it dissolves in saliva. Determine the side of oozing and place pressure on the area. If you cannot locate the origin of the bleeding, rinse your mouth gently with iced water and apply a wet tea bag to the general area. If excessive bleeding continues, please call the office .
    3. It is very important to maintain good food and fluid intake. Try to eat soft but nutritious food such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, malts, ice cream, etc., until you can comfortably return to a normal diet. Refer to the Post Laser Treatment Diet Instructions form.
    4. If medication has been prescribed, please take exactly as directed.
    5. Please use the phone numbers on our Contact page to call the office so that we may render further treatment if any of the following occurs:
      • Prolonged or severe pain.
      • Prolonged or excessive bleeding.
      • Considerably elevated or persistent temperature.

 

    Do not be alarmed that beginning with just 2 weeks after therapy and extending as long as one (1) year or more, the teeth may become sore and tender as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and become more firm. This is a sign of healing, but also indicates the presence of a bite imbalance that needs to be adjusted.

    “Spaces” between your teeth can result from the reduction of inflammation, swelling, and the removal of diseased tissue after the LANAP treatment.

    These spaces usually fill in overtime, and again, bite adjustment is critical to making sure the teeth and the “papilla” is not traumatized and can regrow.