Oral Surgery – Post Instructions
The healing period following the surgery you have just had typically takes one to two weeks and is uneventful provided you follow the following instructions.
- Bleeding: Leave the gauze in your mouth and continue biting on it for 30 minutes. If active bleeding continues, fold new piece of gauze tightly, place over bleeding area and maintain firm pressure for another 30 minutes. A wet tea bag is an excellent alternative for the gauze.
- DO NOT rinse your mouth today with anything. Starting tomorrow you may gently rinse with a warm saltwater solution 2-3 times daily for the next week. Mix approximately 1 tablespoon of salt with 1 cup warm water. Alternatively I may give you a bottle of chlorhexidine to use. Brush your teeth regularly, avoiding the surgical area(s) and especially the gums.
- Diet: No eating or drinking until numbness subsides. Hot (temperature), spicy, and/or coarse/hard foods are to be avoided for the next week. Popcorn and peanuts are examples to avoid. Eat a soft diet and chew on the opposite side or away from the surgical site as much as possible.
- NO SMOKING for one week; at least decrease amount or frequency as much as possible.
- Do not overexert yourself for the next 24 hours. REST!
- For the next week. DO NOT spit. DO NOT drink from a straw. DO NOT open widely. DO NOT “suck” on the wound site or candy. Any of these can disturb the blood clot in the surgical site and result in a “dry socket”.
- For upper back teeth that are extracted. DO NOT blow your nose. DO NOT play any wind instrument. DO NOT sneeze through your nose. If the urge to sneeze arises, sneeze with your mouth open.
- For bone grafts or dental implants avoid excessive forces or chewing in that area.
Pain
____ A. You have not been given a prescription for pain. Take ibuprofen or Tylenol (acetaminophen) as directed for pain. If the pain is to intense call the office and we will have a prescription phoned in to the nearest pharmacy.
____ B. You have been given a prescription for pain. You may elect to try and control the pain with over the counter medications listed above before using the prescription meds. To avoid nausea take medication with glass of milk.
Sutures
____ A. Were not placed.
____ B. Will resorb by themselves in 7-10 21 days. Will be removed in 2 weeks
Antibiotic
____ A. You have not been given.
____ B. Please take the prescribed pills until they are all gone, even though you will likely be feeling fine before they are gone. Antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
Cold Application
____ A. Is likely not necessary for your surgery. However, facial bruising and swelling is possible in any extraction.
____ B. Use cold pack on outside of face near surgery site for next several hours. 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
Please call with any questions and immediately if you have prolonged bleeding or any side effects from the prescribed medications. Call if you experience increase in pain that starts 2-3 days after extraction.