After Canine Expose and Bond Instructions

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 to 48 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice bag or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes on your cheek near the area of surgery. Apply the ice as much as possible for the first 48 hours.

Diet

Begin drinking room temperature fluids for the first several hours after surgery. Drink from a glass and do not use straws. The night of surgery, begin a non-chew diet with Ensure, Boost, or similar high calorie protein shakes. Your food intake may be limited for the first few days and you should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. For the following several days, continue with a soft diet. Anything that can easily be cut with a fork is generally soft enough to eat. Try not to miss any meals as you will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster with proper nourishment.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthesia wears off. If prescribed, take ibuprofen every 6 hours for the first two days, then take it every 6 hours as needed. For moderate to severe pain, Dr. Haupt may prescribe Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), which you can take every 6 hours, as needed. If you or your child prefer to avoid narcotics, over the counter Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be used instead of Norco. Tylenol and ibuprofen should be taken at the same time, every 6 hours, as needed. WARNING: do not take Norco and Tylenol at the same time, as they both contain acetaminophen and overdose can occur.

If you or your child have concerns regarding the use of narcotics (opioids) for pain control, please call our office to discuss alternative methods for optimum pain control.

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Brush your teeth starting the day after surgery but be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas. Use the prescribed Peridex (chlorhexidine) Oral Rinse after brushing your teeth. The Peridex should be used twice daily; after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then gently spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) can be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum for the first three days after surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. You may begin light cardio exercises three days after surgery and heavy lifting five days after surgery.