Sinus Lift Post-Operative Instructions

After a sinus lift, avoid anything that builds pressure inside your nose or sinuses. Your surgical team will tell you how long to continue these precautions based on your procedure and healing.

During this period:

• Do not blow your nose.
• If you need to sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open instead of holding it in.
• Do not pinch or hold your nose when sneezing.
• Avoid straws and forceful spitting.
• Avoid activities that require forceful blowing.
• Avoid heavy lifting or straining when instructed.
• Ask your surgical team before flying, scuba diving, or doing activities with significant pressure changes.

These precautions protect the sinus membrane and the newly grafted bone while they heal.

Some facial swelling, tenderness, bruising, and pressure or congestion around the sinus area are normal after surgery. These are expected parts of healing.

Use cold packs on the outside of your face during early recovery as your surgical team directs. Always place a barrier, such as a thin cloth, between the cold pack and your skin.

Take pain medication only as your surgical team or the medication label instructs.

If you were prescribed an antibiotic, nasal spray, decongestant, or other medication, take or use it exactly as directed. Before starting any over-the-counter medication for your sinus lift, check with us that it is right for you.

After a sinus lift, eat soft foods that need little chewing during early recovery.

Good options may include:

• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Cottage cheese
• Soft pasta
• Smooth soups that are not too hot
• Smoothies eaten with a spoon

Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, sharp, or seeded foods that could irritate the surgical site. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth whenever possible. Do not drink through a straw.

Do not rinse or spit on the day of your surgery. Rinsing and spitting can disturb the blood clot and open the wound. This can prolong bleeding and slow healing.

You should not have a large amount of blood in your mouth. You can swallow your saliva, even if it is slightly tinged with blood.

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential to lower your risk of infection. Unless your surgical team tells you otherwise, start saltwater rinses the day after your procedure.

To make and use the rinse:

• Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water.
• Rinse gently with small portions, taking 5 minutes to use the entire glass.
• Repeat as often as you like, but at least 4–5 times daily and always after eating for the next 5 days.

Do not brush the teeth in the area of surgery for 48 hours. When you do brush, be very gentle. Be gentle when you spit, too.

We may prescribe an antibiotic rinse after certain procedures. Use it in the morning and at bedtime after your routine mouth care. Do not eat, drink, or rinse your mouth after using the medicated rinse.

Using this rinse more than 2 times a day will stain your teeth.

You can keep brushing your other teeth carefully, but avoid brushing or disturbing the surgical area during early healing.

Begin gentle warm saltwater rinses when your surgical team instructs you to, following the rinse steps above. If you were prescribed a medicated mouth rinse, use it exactly as directed.

Avoid forceful swishing or spitting. These actions can create unwanted pressure around the healing area.

Smoking, vaping, nicotine, and tobacco products can interfere with your body’s natural healing process. They may also harm the success of your bone graft and future dental implant treatment.

Avoid these products during your recovery and follow your surgical team’s specific recommendations.