Post Operative Instructions
Surgical Procedures
Post Operative Instructions
- Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after surgery.
- Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area.
- Use ice packs on surgical area (side of face) for the first 48 hours; apply ice 20 minutes on – 10 minutes off. Bags of frozen peas work well.
- For mild discomfort take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every three to fours hours.
- For severe pain use the medication prescribed to you.
- Drink plenty of fluids. (Do not use a straw)
- If the muscles of the jaw becomes stiff, chewing gum at intervals will help relax the muscles as well as the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face to over these muscles.
- After the first post-operative day, use a warm salt-water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris, which may lodge in the surgical area. (One-half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouth wash can be added for better taste.)
- Diet may consist of soft foods, which can be easily chewed and swallowed. No seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, chips, or foods with hard edges.
- A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery.
- Bleeding is controlled by applying pressure to the surgical area using small rolled gauze for 90 minutes.
- After that time remove the gauze and then you may eat or drink.
- If bleeding persists, a moist teabag should be placed in the area of bleeding and bite firmly for one hour straight. This will aid in clotting blood. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding persists call our office immediately and have the doctor paged.
- We suggest that you do not smoke for at least five days after the surgery. Nicotine may break down the blood clot and cause a “dry socket.”
To Relieve Pain
Immediately following the procedure begin taking medication as directed by your doctor to minimize discomfort when the anesthesia wears off and feeling is back to normal. Application of an ice bag can also help relieve discomfort.
After 24 hours, continue to take your medication if pain persists, and use an ice bag if needed.
To Minimize Swelling
Immediately following the procedure, apply an ice bag over the affected area. Use 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for 24 hours to help prevent excessive swelling and discomfort. If an ice bag is unavailable, simply fill a heavy plastic bag with crushed ice. Tie end securely and cover with a soft cloth to avoid skin irritation.
After 24 hours, it should not be necessary to continue with cold applications. You may expect swelling for 10 days to two weeks and a fever of 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feel free to contact us if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.
Surgical Extractions
Preoperative Instructions
If you are being sedated or put to sleep for a procedure, the following points apply:
- You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) after midnight prior to the appointment.
- A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure and drive the patient home.
- The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
- Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow and low-heeled shoes. Contact lenses, jewelry and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
Removal of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The removal of impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of teeth is quite different from the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal.
- The surgical area will swell.
- Swelling can peak on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day.
- Trismus (stiffness) of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days.
- You may have a slight earache.
- A sore throat may develop.
- Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.
- If the corners of the mouth are stretched out they may dry and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
- There will be a space where the tooth was removed. After 24 hours this area can be rinsed following meals with warm salt water until it is healed. This cavity will gradually fill in with new tissue.
- There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If temperature continues, notify us.
- It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of the extraction.
- Numbness of the lips, chin and/or tongue on the affected side may be experienced for a variable period of time.
Please take all prescriptions as directed.
Women please note: Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.
Maintain a Proper Diet
Eat soft, nutritious foods and drink plenty of liquids – with meals and in between.
Have what you wish, but be careful not to disturb the blood clot. Add solid foods to your diet as soon as they are comfortable to chew.
In Case of Problems
You should experience no trouble if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outline. But if you should have any problems such as excessive bleeding, pain, fever, or difficulty in opening your mouth, call our office immediately for further instructions or additional treatment Our telephone number is a 24 hour, 7 days per week number. After normal business hours the doctor on call will be paged.
Remember your follow up visit!
Teeth Cleaning (Deep Cleaning):
You may experience some cold and heat sensitivity (especially after deep cleaning). If you have received anesthesia do not eat anything until the numbness has worn off. We recommend you continue your regular routine of brushing and flossing. Some bleeding for a day or two after the cleaning is normal, but if you experience any excessive bleeding please call our office.
Dentures / Partials
Sore Spots: Your mouth may have a few “sore spots” after wearing the denture/partial for 24 hours. These areas can be relieved with very little effort during your next appointment.
Chewing: The new bite may not feel completely comfortable for several weeks. We can adjust the contacting surfaces of your teeth after the dentures/partials have settled into place.
Cleaning the Dentures/Partials and your Mouth: Your denture/partials can be cleaned easily by using a denture brush and mild toothpaste. Periodic denture soaks are also very useful (ex: Polident). We recommend leaving your partials out of your mouth at night and soaking in water.
Denture Only: Brush your gums with a regular toothbrush once per day to toughen and clean them.
Partials Only: Use special care to clean parts of the partial that contact any natural teeth. Both the partial and the natural teeth must be kept very clean on a daily basis to reduce the chance of new dental decay starting.
We have done our best to provide you with well-fitted, functional, and esthetic dentures/partials. We feel confident that after a few weeks of becoming adjusted to the new dentures/partials, you will have satisfaction from them. Over time, your jawbone and gums shrink when there are teeth missing. When this occurs, your dentures/partials will feel loose and may require relining. Wearing ill-fitting dentures/partials for too long without refitting can cause severe bone loss and very serious oral disease. Please call our office if these symptoms occur.
