Sinus Precautions Following Oral Surgery

1. Patients should avoid the use of straws. 

2. Patients should avoid blowing their nose. 

3. All prescribed medications should be dispensed as directed: 

• Oral antibiotic regimen: this depends on the patient. Not everyone will be prescribed an oral antibiotic. If you are, please take them as directed. 
• Decongestant: Afrin (oxymetazoline nasal, either prescribed or over the counter) 2-3 sprays into each nostril twice daily for 3 days 

4. Patients should avoid the following activities:  

• Playing wind instruments 
• Smoking 
• Spitting 
• Opening the mouth wide 
• Sneezing through the nose (instead, encourage sneezing with mouth open) 
• Swimming 
• Exercising (light exercise is okay!) 

5. Encourage a liquid or soft food diet. 

6. Continue at home oral hygiene regimen with direct assistance. 

7. Exercise caution while cleaning around the surgical site. 

8. Be observant of post-operative bleeding; it is not uncommon to have a slight amount of bleeding from your nose for several days.