What’s in the 21D Goodie Bag?

At 21D, your comfort and care are our top priorities. To make your recovery journey as smooth and as stress-free as possible, we provide all our patients with a 21D Goodie Bag on the day of their surgery. This carefully prepared aftercare kit is designed by our clinical team to support healing, comfort, and confidence during your recovery at home.

From essential tools to soothing extras, this kit contains everything you need for effective aftercare, along with clear instructions to ensure optimal healing. Let’s take a closer look at what’s inside and how to use each item.

First Things First

When you arrive at our surgical site, a member of the team will welcome you and talk through your prescribed medication, which is tailored to your medical history. Any medication you need to take home will already be placed into your goodie bag, along with clear instructions on when and how to take it. This ensures that once you leave the clinic, everything you need is already prepared, allowing you to focus fully on rest and recovery.

Sterile Gauze

After surgery, some oozing is completely normal and varies from person to person. Your goodie bag includes a sterile gauze for this reason, but it’s important to understand that it should only be used if advised by a 21D clinician.

Before you leave the surgical site, our team will check that bleeding is controlled and that healthy blood clots have formed. These clots are essential for healing, and unnecessary use of gauze can disturb them. If you experience bleeding at home and feel concerned, your support team can guide you on whether and how to use the gauze safely.

Ice Packs‍

Swelling is also a common part of the healing process. To help manage it, we include two types of ice packs in your goodie bag:

• Disposable Ice Packs: ideal for use on your journey home or during your first night of rest. Simply activate the pack by gently crushing it and resting it against your face for short periods at a time. The pack will stay cold for around 15 to 20 minutes, and can be used regularly during the first 72 hours after surgery to support comfort and healing.
• Reusable Ice Pack: This can be stored in the freezer and reused throughout your recovery. When cold, apply to the area for no more than 15 minutes at a time, rotating spots to avoid freezing the skin.

These ice packs help to reduce inflammation and provide relief from discomfort during the initial recovery period - cold fluids & ice cream also have the same effect.

BlueM Oxygenated Mouthwash

24 hours after your surgical reset, you can begin using the BlueM oxygenated mouthwash, provided for you in your 21D goodie bag. This mouthwash delivers oxygen to the soft tissues, supporting the healing process during the initial recovery phase.

When using, it’s important to avoid vigorous rinsing. Instead, gently tilt your head from side to side and allow the mouthwash to bathe the area without disturbing the healing blood clots. BlueM is only needed during the healing period, not long-term.

Peroxyl Mouthwash

7 days after surgery, you can switch to Peroxyl mouthwash by Colgate. This is a gentle, everyday mouthwash designed to maintain oral health once initial healing has begun. Peroxyl contains fewer ingredients and is less acidic than many supermarket brands, making it a suitable choice following surgery. We recommend sticking with this mouthwash rather than using alternative brands, which can be too harsh for healing tissues.

Sonic Electric Toothbrush

To be used only after 4 weeks following surgery, this toothbrush works by vibrating to dislodge bacteria rather than relying on heavy brushing. Until then, a very soft manual toothbrush should be used. When brushing, you should focus only on the visible tooth portion of the prosthetic and avoid the gum line. The brush does the work for you, so there’s no need to apply pressure.

Non-Abrasive Toothpaste

The toothpaste you use during recovery is just as important as the toothbrush itself. We recommend a fluoride-free or low-fluoride toothpaste that is smooth and non-abrasive.

Whitening or gritty toothpastes should be avoided, as they can damage the surface of your prosthetic. A simple way to check suitability is to rub the toothpaste between your fingers - it should feel smooth, rather than gritty. Baby toothpaste is often an excellent option during this stage.

Water Flosser

You can start to use the water flosser provided 4 weeks after surgery, alongside your electric toothbrush. The water flosser helps gently flush out food debris that can collect between the prosthetic and the gum line. The small gap is intentional and allows natural cleansing through saliva flow. Using the water flosser enhances this process and supports long-term oral health. Note - t’s best used in the bathroom, especially at first, as it can get a little messy!

Lucozade

It’s common not to feel like eating on the day of your surgical reset, and blood sugar levels can dip slightly. This drink helps keep your energy levels stable and makes it easier to take any prescribed medication during your journey home or first night of rest.

Here To Support You

Your 21D goodie bag is designed to help you heal comfortably and confidently. If you have any questions at any point, your support team is always available and can connect you directly with our clinical team as and when needed.

Remember, we’re here for you throughout your recovery and beyond. Wishing you a smooth surgery day and happy healing!