Eusebio Dental
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA
Bone Graft and Socket Preservation
Your Recovery Companion
What to Do Today
• Bite on gauze for 30–60 minutes if there is bleeding.
• Use ice: 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off.
• Eat soft, cool foods. Chew on the other side.
• Do not touch the graft, stitches, or membrane.
• Do not rinse hard, spit hard, smoke, vape, use a straw, or lift heavy things.
What to Expect Next
Tomorrow
• Brush your teeth. Be gentle near the graft.
• Rinse gently with warm salt water after meals and before bed.
• Do not use a water flosser on the graft.
• Do not wear a removable denture over the graft unless we say it is okay.
Days 2-3
• Swelling is often worst on Day 2 or 3.
• A few tiny sand-like graft particles may come out.
• Keep the area clean but do not poke it.
• Keep chewing on the other side.
Days 4-7
• Pain and swelling should start to improve.
• Stitches may feel loose as swelling goes down.
• Keep the graft away from hard, sharp, or crunchy foods.
• Keep your follow-up visit.
Later Healing
• The graft may need several months to turn into strong bone.
• Do not miss follow-up visits.
• If we gave you sinus instructions, follow them until we tell you to stop.
Pain Medicine
Adult doses only. Use these medicines only if they are safe for you.
• Mild or moderate pain: Take ONE — ibuprofen up to 600 mg OR acetaminophen up to 1,000 mg.
• More pain: Take BOTH together.
• Wait at least 6 hours before the next dose. Do not take more than 4 doses in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen or 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
• Check all medicine labels for acetaminophen. Ask us, your doctor, or a pharmacist if you are not sure.
• Do not take either medicine if a doctor has told you to avoid it.
Normal Healing
• Mild bleeding the first day
• Swelling for 2–3 days
• Mild bruising
• Jaw soreness
• A few tiny graft particles
• Stitches that feel looser as swelling drops
• Slow improvement each day
Call Eusebio Dental
Call or text Eusebio Dental for:
• A large amount of graft material coming out
• A membrane that moves or comes out
• Bleeding that will not stop
• Pain or swelling that gets worse after Day 3
• Fever, pus, or a strong bad smell
• Any problem that worries you
Emergency -
Call 911
Call 911 now for:
• Trouble breathing
• Severe swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
• Bleeding you cannot control
You Might Be Wondering
Are small graft particles normal?
A few tiny particles can be normal. Call us if a large amount comes out.
Can I touch the graft?
No. Leave it alone so it can stay in place.
Can I wear my denture?
Only if we say it is okay. Pressure can move the graft.
What if the graft is near my sinus?
Follow the special sinus steps we gave you. Do not blow your nose. Sneeze with your mouth open.
Helpful Tips
Why This Matters
• Keep your tongue away from the graft.
• Chew on the other side.
• Sleep with an extra pillow tonight.
• Do not use a water flosser on the graft.
• Bring your denture to the follow-up visit if it needs adjustment.
• The graft needs to stay still so blood vessels and new bone can grow into it.
• Pressure, smoking, and hard foods can slow healing.
• Gentle cleaning lowers the risk of infection.
• Follow-up visits help us make sure the graft is staying in place.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Joseph Eusebio, DMD, MBA
Last Reviewed:
July 2026
Sources:
https://aaoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bone_grafting.pdf | https://aaoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/autogenous_bone_grafting.pdf | https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/oral-surgery
Bone Graft and Socket Preservation