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1. BLEEDING: Maintain the gauze pressure packs in your mouth for at least one hour after surgery. These packs should place pressure directly over the surgical site. Replace and maintain a gauze over the surgical area for the next few hours. This will help to minimize bleeding and will also help re-adapt the gum tissues that have been manipulated during surgery.
Some mild oozing of blood is to be expected following surgery and may continue for as long as 24 hours. The oozing, combined with saliva, can often appear as noticeable bleeding. Keeping gauze in place will minimize this oozing. Using a straw post-operatively, as well as spitting, should be avoided since these may dislodge the blood clot. When you are resting and sleeping do so with your head elevated by two pillows and place an old towel over the pillows to protect them.
Do not become alarmed or excited if there is persistent bleeding. This can usually be stopped by placing a moistened tea bag directly over the surgery area and applying pressure by biting firmly with constant pressure. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a blood clot by contracting blood vessels. Apply an ice bag or cold compress to the cheek in the area of surgery. If these measures do not seem to be working, please call our office.
2. SWELLING: Facial swelling following oral surgery is quite normal and will usually reach its peak during the first 24-72 hours. To minimize such swelling, apply ice packs during the first 24 hours, 20 minutes on and 5 minutes off.
Three days after surgery heat applied to the jaw will probably increase comfort and reduce stiffness. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad on the cheek. You should protect the skin with a moisturizing lotion and with a thick towel between the heat source and the skin. Do not use the heat continually, but apply it for about 20 minutes, then remove for an equal interval. If swelling appears to be increasing rather than decreasing after the third day, you should call our office.
3. PAIN: Ordinarily the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin should be sufficient to keep you comfortable when taken in doses of two tablets every four hours. However, pain medications are needed during the first day or two following surgery. Do not drive or operate mechanical equipment while taking prescription pain medication.
We recommend that you take the first dose of pain medication within an hour following surgery. This will allow the medication to dissolve and be absorbed into the bloodstream by the time the local anesthetic wears off. To avoid nausea, take pain medication with meals or with a glass of milk.
4. MEDICATIONS: If prior to your oral surgery you had been taking medication prescribed by another physician or dentist, continue to take that medication unless you are advised otherwise.
Antibiotic medication may be prescribed after your surgery. If you are given such a prescription, be sure to take all of the medication as directed. Caution: Antibiotics may alter the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
Although most patients benefit from such prescription drugs, occasional side effects such as dizziness, rash, nausea, excitement, constipation, or diarrhea can occur. Should you experience any of the side effects, stop the medication immediately and notify our office.
5. DIET: You must guard against dehydration following oral surgery. Increase your fluid intake, drinking several glasses of water, juices, milk shakes, or soda during the first day. Avoid hot drinks during the first day after surgery, although warm soup or mashed potatoes are suitable.
You might have nausea during the first few hours after surgery. A small amount of carbonated drink such as Coca-Cola or 7up every hour will usually relieve nausea. Avoid using a straw since the pressure of sucking through a straw may dislodge the blood clot.
A soft diet, high in vitamins and protein, is recommended for the second and third day after surgery. You will feel better, have more strength, and heal faster if you continue to eat.
If you are diabetic, maintain your normal caloric requirements and take your medication as usual.
6. ORAL HYGIENE: Good oral hygiene is essential for wound healing. Food left in the wound slows healing and invites infection. However, do not rinse your mouth for the first 12 hours. The day after surgery, gently rinse with a solution of ΒΌ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Occasionally we will prescribe an antibiotic rinse which should be used as directed.
If you have had an extraction, there will be a cavity where the tooth was removed. During the course of normal healing, this will fill in with new bone tissue. In a few cases rinsing is not totally effective in keeping this area clean. We may provide a small syringe to help you gently rinse this area.
On the day following surgery, you may brush your teeth. Do not be intimidated by the presence of the stitches, but take care to avoid them. After two to three days, brush over the stitches lightly.
7. ACTIVITIES: Avoid becoming fatigued. Rest as much as possible during the day and go to bed early.
Avoid smoking for at least 24 hours after surgery as the smoke will easily irritate the fresh oral surgery wound and delay healing.
You should not drive a car, operate any machinery or undertake any responsible business matters for at least 24 hours after a general anesthetic or while taking pain medication.
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