As with any other surgery post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of swelling and infection can be minimized if these instructions are carefully followed.
You are a unique individual; no two surgeries are alike and everyone responds differently. Do not accept well intended advice from friends. If you have questions or concerns do not call the emergency room or your medical doctor, discuss your problem with the person best able to effectively help you: your surgeon.

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SURGERY

• The gauze pad placed over the surgical site should be kept in place for 30 minutes. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded.
• Do not touch the surgical site with your fingers or tongue. Do not suck through a straw, smoke, spit or brush your teeth the day of surgery. Mouth rinsing should be avoided until the next day. Any of these actions may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged.
• Place ice packs on the side of your face where surgery was performed if so instructed.

BLEEDING

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes. The gauze pad needs to be placed directly over the extraction site, in contact with affected area. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps form a clot. To minimize further bleeding, do not become active, sit upright and avoid exercising and talking. It is normal to have blood tinged saliva for up to 3 days. If bleeding does not subside with these measures, please call for further instructions.

SWELLING

The amount of swelling is proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and side of the face is not uncommon. The swelling will begin following surgery and reach a maximum at 2-3 days following surgery. However the swelling can be minimized by immediate use of ice packs and keeping the head elevated. Ice packs should be applied to the side of the face. Use ice packs for 24 hours: apply for 20-30 minutes at a time and 20-30 minutes off while awake, alternating sides. After 24 hours the application of moist heat to the sides of the face may be beneficial in reducing the amount of the swelling. A moist washcloth placed in the microwave for 20-30 seconds is the best way to accomplish this. In addition keeping the head elevated, with extra pillows when sleeping helps to minimize swelling.

PAIN

The local anesthesia administered during your surgery may last up to 12 hours, but it is important to start your pain medication right away. Taking ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or Tylenol every 4-6 hours is often enough to alleviate the pain. These two medications can be alternated so they overlap (taking ibuprofen first, then, 2-3 hours later Tylenol, followed by ibuprofen 2-3 hours later, etc) often works well. If you have been given a prescription pain medication, start taking it as soon as you have something to eat. Be aware that many prescription pain medications contain Tylenol, so do not take additional Tylenol with them if that is the case. Many prescription pain medications may make you drowsy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain following surgery should subside a little every day. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens call the office for instructions.

DIET

Liquids should be initially taken following surgery. Do not use a straw. You may eat anything the first day that does not require chewing (soups, Jello, pudding, yogurt, cooked cereal). High calorie, high protein intake is very important. Nourishment should be taken regularly – you will feel better, have more strength and heal faster. Your food intake may be limited the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 5-6 glasses of liquids should be taken daily.

ORAL HYGIENE

No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. The day after surgery you should begin gentle rinsing with salt water (1 tsp salt to 1 c warm water) 5-6 times a day, especially after eating. If you have been given a prescription mouth rinse begin it the day after surgery as instructed on the label. Brushing your teeth the next day is recommended just as gentle as possible in the surgery areas.

There will be a hole where the tooth was removed. The hole will gradually fill in with new tissue. In the meantime, the area around the hole should be kept clean after meals with rinse and not disturbed with fingers and tongue.

ANTIBIOTICS

If you have been placed on antibiotics take the prescription as directed until gone. Antibiotics may be given to help treat infection, but are not usually necessary. Discontinue antibiotics and call the office in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction.

SUTURES

Sutures may be placed in the area of surgery to minimize bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged quickly after surgery; this is no cause for alarm. Most sutures will dissolve in 1-2 weeks. Some types of sutures may require removal, which can be done quickly with minimal discomfort.

DRY SOCKETS

A dry socket is when the blood clot gets dislodged prematurely from the tooth socket. It usually occurs 3-5 days following surgery. Symptoms of a dry socket include: increased pain at the surgical site, surrounding area and into the ear. Please contact our office if this occurs and is not relieved by the pain medication.