Remove gauze pack after 30 minutes.
If bleeding continues, change gauze packs every 30 minutes as needed. Discontinue gauzes when bleeding stops, usually after 3 to 4 hours.
Do not leave the gauze in overnight.
You can also use a wet teabag and bite down on it (e.g a Tapal or Lipton teabag; do not use herbal or decaffeinated teabags.)
To avoid biting the tongue, the patient can eat as soon as numbness is cleared and feeling returns at the surgical site.
Patient's diet should consist mainly of soft, cold foods and drinks for the first 24 hours (e.g plain ice cream, yogurt, pudding, custard etc.)
Avoid hard, crunchy & hot foods (e.g hot soup, pizza, burgers, popcorn, chips etc).
After the first 24 hours, gradually advance patient's diet as tolerated.
Do not smoke, rinse, spit, or brush for 24 hours.
After 24 hours, begin brushing teeth and start rinsing with warm salt water.
Do not drink through a straw, or drink carbonated beverages for 3 days after surgery.
Avoid blowing your nose and sneezing for the first week (if you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open to prevent sinus damage).