Care and Instructions Following Oral Surgery

General Comments

Faithful compliance with these instructions will help prevent postoperative complications, add to your comfort and hasten recovery.  You have experienced minor surgery and should plan to avoid strenuous activity for a couple of days.

Bleeding

  • Bite on the gauze sponges provided for 1 and a half to 2 hours after the procedure.
  • Do not rinse for the remainder of the day as this may cause bleeding.
  • You may begin the 2nd day with warm, salt water rinses (½ teaspoon salt in glass of water) without vigorous swishing.
  • Some oozing or mild bleeding is normal at first, but severe hemorrhage should be controlled
  • Place a clean gauze sponge over the area and bite firmly, for at least 30 minutes, repeating if necessary, until the bleeding stops.
  • A warm, soaked tea bag is also good to use as a compress.
  • NO SMOKING for at least 24 hours, longer if possible.
  • Avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours.
  • Avoid spitting, coughing and sneezing if possible.
  • Do not suck liquids through a straw or suck on the affected area or disturb it with your tongue.

Pain/Discomfort

  • If a prescription has been written for you, please fill it and take the medication as needed.  Take before the anesthetic wears off.
  • Avoid taking medication on an empty stomach as nausea may result.
  • If no medication was prescribed, take 800 mgs.  Ibuprofen every 6 hours.
  • If severe pain develops from 2 days to 2 weeks after the extraction accompanied by a bad taste and odor, call the office and return for treatment.

Swelling and Stiffness

  • To reduce ordinary, immediate swelling, apply an ice pack to the face briefly, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first day only.  This is not effective after the first 8 to 12 hours.
  • Try to continue with normal jaw movements to prevent stiffness.

Oral Hygiene

  • To promote healing and prevent infection, it is essential to keep your mouth as clean as possible.
  • Brush and floss your teeth normally avoiding the affected area.
  • As mentioned previously, you may gently rinse with warm salt water beginning the 2nd day.

Diet and Nutrition

  • Avoid food that is difficult to chew for the first day or two.
  • Dring plenty of liquids (fruit juices, Gatorade, etc.)
  • Take a multi-vitamin supplement.

IF EXCESSIVE BLEEDING, PAIN OR SWELLING OCCURS-CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!!