Recovery after LANAP® Procedure

Recovery after LANAP® Procedure

Laser gum surgery is designed to offer you greater convenience and comfort than traditional surgery for gum disease. There are, however, still guidelines that you must follow after surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Dr. Darryl A. Field provides the following instructions for patients who undergo Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) to treat gum disease in his Jacksonville Beach, FL, practice.

The First 24 Hours after Gum Disease Treatment

  • Take ibuprofen every 4-6 hours to prevent inflammation and discomfort.
  • Stick to a liquid diet but avoid extreme temperatures. Soups, for example, should be allowed to cool until warm.
  • Avoid exercise of any kind.
  • If there is light bleeding at the treatment site, place a steeped, room temperature tea bag between your teeth and bite down until it stops. The tannic acid helps to form a clot.

Up to a Week after Gum Disease Treatment

  • A soft food diet is recommended for roughly a week following surgery. Yogurt, smoothies, shakes, mashed potatoes, and eggs, are good examples of “soft” foods.
  • Use salt water rinses to speed healing. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and gently rinse your mouth every 3 to 4 hours, but try not to spit or gargle.
  • Avoid chewing in the area of the gum disease surgery.
  • Do not brush or floss the teeth at the treatment site.
  • Take any antibiotics or rinses that were prescribed to you until they are empty.

When to Call Our Periodontist

It is perfectly normal to experience some light bleeding or swelling, soreness, tooth sensitivity, or a change in taste due to the rinses. You should call your doctor if you experience:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • A persistent fever
  • Excessive discomfort or pain that does not go away

Have questions or concerns? Our periodontist, Dr. Darryl A. Field, can answer any of your questions about your post-operative instructions following treatment for gum disease in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

patient smiling after dental procedure

call today and schedule a dental consultation with our periodontist.