Home Care After Oral Surgery

 NO SMOKING OR STRAWS FOR 7 DAYS

1. FIRST: Remove and discard gauze from mouth in 45 mins. Pain medication can be taken at this time. A second gauze is then placed over the extraction site. There should be no spitting as this may disturb the operative wound and cause irritation, infection, or start additional bleeding.
2. BLEEDING: Bleeding following the extraction of teeth and there oral surgery is to be expected. An ooze may continue for 24 hours. For excessive bleeding, wipe the mouth to remove any blood clots, place another gauze or demanded tea bag over the site and firmly bite for 30 mins. Repeat until the bleeding stops. Sleep on several pillows and in a slightly upright position for the first few nights. Do no over exert yourself in anyway, as this may cause bleeding and/or a throbbing pain.
3. PAIN: Use non-aspirin analgesic for relief. 600mg of Ibuprofen combine with 500mg of Tylenol every 8 hours, not to exceed three times a day. Your other teeth may ache temporarily and you may develop a sore throat and a slight earache. This is referred to as sympathetic pain and is a temporary condition.
4. DIET: Soft foods and liquids are advisable for the first 24 hours. Some examples are mashed potatoes, pasta, eggs, protein shakes, fruit smoothies and vegetables. For the first 24 hours avoid straws or hot temperature foods and drinks. Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Gatorade or ice chips in the mouth can help settle a stomach, but usually nausea will go away on its own.
5. MOUTHRINSE: There may be an opening where the surgery was performed This area will gradually fill in with new tissue. After the first 48 hours, rinse these areas after meals with a warm salt water solution. Place 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a large glass of water. Perform these salt water rinses 2-3 times daily for 1 week. Please avoid commercial mouthwash for the first 10-14 days. Do not neglect to brush any remaining teeth.
6. SWELLING: Post-operative swelling will usually increase for the first three days. An ice bag should be applied to the face directly over the site of the sound for the first 24 hours after surgery to minimize swelling. At 20 min intervals the ice bag should be removed for 20 mins and then reapplied.
7. STIFFNESS: Trisums and tightness of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening the mouth. This usually relaxes by the 4th to 6th day.
8. DISCOLORATION: The bruised appearance of the face and neck following surgery is caused by the seepage of blood into the tissues. It will gradually disappear in 7 to 10 days.
9. SUTURES: Do not worry about the stitches which may have been placed in your mouth they will dissolve on their own.
10. TEMPERATURE: There might be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
11. NUMBNESS: Numbness may develop in the area in the lower lip and gum on the side of the surgery. This is called parasthesia and is most often a temporary condition which will usually correct itself. It is an unavoidable situation that may continue for a few days, weeks, or months. In rare instances it may be permanent.
12. BONE FRAGMENTS: Sometimes during the healing process, several sharp pieces of bone may work their way up though the gums. These will usually come out on their own.
13. DRY SOCKET: If after the second day, there is increasingly severe pain on the affected side, you may have lost the blood clot. If this pain can not be eliminated by medication or an odor is detected from the area please call the office for further treatment.
14. POST OPERATIVE ABCESS: In some instances, 3 to 6 weeks after surgery, a sudden pain may develop over or near the post operative area. Do not be alarmed. If this occurs please call the office for an appointment.