Please read these instructions carefully

Sometimes the after effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office any time for clarification.

Day of Surgery

First Hour

Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure that they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled. If active bleeding persists after one hour, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 to 60 minutes. The gauze may be changed as necessary and may be dampened and /or fluffed for more comfortable positioning.

Exercise Care

Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area wit any objects or your fingers. You may brush your teeth gently. DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, as this is very detrimental to healing.

Oozing

Intermittent bleeding or oozing is normal. It may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the surgical areas and biting down firmly for 30 to 60 minutes.

Steady Bleeding

Bleeding should never be severe. If it is, it usually means that you are clenching the packs between your teeth rather than exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning fresh packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in moist gauze) for about 20 to 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.

Swelling

Often there is some swelling associated with oral surgery. You can minimize this by using a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.. After 24 hours, it is usually best to switch from ice to moist heat for the same areas.

Pain

Unfortunately, most oral surgery is associated with some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn of, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. Effects of pain medicines vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief, you may supplement each pill with an analgesic, such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Some people my even require two of the pain pills at one time during the early stages (but that may add the risk of upset stomach). Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.

Nausea

Nausea is not an uncommon event after surgery, and it is sometimes caused by stronger pain medicines. Nausea may be reduced by preceding each pill with a small amount of soft food, then taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize the pain medication, but call us if you do not feel better, or if repeated vomiting is a problem. Cola drinks that have less carbonation may help with nausea as well.

Diet

Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. The temperature of the food does not matter, but avoid extremely hot foods. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first day's intake to bland liquids or pureed foods (creamed soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.). Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., that may lodge in socket areas. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow the instructions form us or your physician regarding your insulin schedule.

Sharp Edges

If you feel sharp edges in the surgical areas with you tongue it is probably the bony walls which originally supported your teeth. Occasionally, small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the first week or two after surgery. They are not pieces of tooth and, if necessary, we will remove them. Please call our office if you are concerned.

Second and Third Days

Mouth Rinses

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use one-quarter teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least two or three times daily for the next five days.

Brushing

Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of al areas, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.

Hot Applications

Apply warm compresses to the skin overlying areas of swelling (hot water bottle, moist hot towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe those tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.

Syringe

If you were given an irrigating syringe at your  first office check-up visit, start using it the third day after surgery to keep sockets clean. Fill it with warm water and irrigate any open sockets gently, especially after eating.

Dry Sockets

Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first day after surgery is usually the most uncomfortable and there is some degree of swelling and stiffness. The second day you will usually be far more comfortable and, although still swollen, you can usually begin a more substantial diet. From the third day on GRADUAL, STEADY IMPROVEMENT should mark the remainder of your post-operative course. If a DRY SOCKET occurs (loss of blood clot from socket, usually on the third to fifth day), there is a noticeable, distinct, persistent throbbing pain in the jaw, often radiating toward the ear and forward along the jaw to cause other teeth to ache. If you do not see steady improvement during the first few days after surgery, don't suffer needlessly. Call our office and report your symptoms so you can be seen as soon as possible.