Bone graft was placed beneath the sinus floor in your upper jaw. Avoiding pressure changes in your sinus protects the graft while it heals.
Sinus precautions (usually 2 weeks)
- Do not blow your nose. Wipe it gently instead.
- Sneeze with your mouth open to release pressure.
- Do not use straws, spit forcefully, swim, fly or scuba dive until your surgeon says it is safe.
- A small amount of nose bleeding or blood-tinged mucus in the first days can be normal.
First 24 hours
- Bite firmly on the gauze for 30–45 minutes. If oozing continues, replace it with fresh folded gauze and bite for another 30 minutes.
- For swelling, hold a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on your cheek, 15–20 minutes on and 15–20 minutes off, during the first 24–48 hours.
- Rest with your head raised.
Eating
- Avoid chewing, hot drinks and biting your cheek, lip or tongue until the numbness wears off, usually within 2–5 hours. Watch children closely.
- Eat soft, cool or lukewarm foods such as yogurt, smoothies (with a spoon), mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup that is not hot, oatmeal and pasta. Chew on the other side.
- Chew on the other side.
Medicine
- Take pain relievers or any prescribed medicine exactly as your dentist or pharmacist directed. Do not take more than the label or prescription allows, and tell us about any allergies or other medicines you take.
- If you were prescribed antibiotics, take every dose until they are finished unless your dentist tells you otherwise.
- Use any decongestant or nasal spray only if your surgeon prescribed or recommended it.
Avoid
- Avoid smoking, vaping and alcohol for at least 72 hours, or longer if your dentist advises. They slow healing and raise the risk of complications.
Call our office right away if
- Heavy or ongoing nose bleeding
- Graft granules coming from your nose
- Fluid or air passing between your mouth and nose
- Swelling that is getting worse after the third day, or spreads toward your eye, jaw or neck
- Fever, chills, or pus or a bad taste that keeps coming back
- Rash, itching, or any other reaction to a medicine (stop it and call; for trouble breathing call 911)
This handout is general information. Always follow the specific instructions your dentist gives you, which may differ from this sheet. For a medical emergency, such as trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Content last reviewed: 2026-10.