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Operative Instructions and Specialist Information |
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Surgical
Procedure:
Bite on gauze placed in your mouth
so that you exert mild continuous pressure on the wound. Keep the
gauze in place until the bleeding has subsided. You may need to
change the gauze packs as they become saturated but avoid frequent
pack changes, as this will prolong bleeding. Do not go to bed for
the evening with the gauze packs in place. Do not drink with a straw
or spit unnecessarily as this will also prolong the bleeding. It
is normal to have some blood in your saliva for 24 to 48 hours.
This should not alarm you.
If brisk bleeding persists, please
follow these directions: With a piece of gauze wipe away all excess
blood clots. Make a compress by folding a piece of gauze into a
ball and place it over the bleeding area and bite down to exert
firm pressure for at least one to two hours. It may be necessary
to repeat this procedure. A moist teabag placed on the bleeding
site with firm pressure for two hours may also be helpful.
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Avoid over-fatigue. Go to bed early
at night and get adequate rest during the day. Remain inactive for
24 hours after surgery.
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If you were not given a prescription,
two aspirin, Anacin, or Tylenol tablets every 4 hours for discomfort
should be adequate. If you were given a prescription, use only prescribed
medication according to directions. If this does not control the
pain, call the office. Avoid taking pain medication on an empty
stomach. |
To minimize swelling after
extensive and difficult oral operations, the application of ice
packs to the face is effective. The ice packs should be used for
30 minutes out of each hour for the first 24 hours. Ice may be used
continuously if placed in a towel to protect the skin from freezing.
This will prevent ice burn.
If swelling is present after 24
hours, heat should be placed on the swollen face in the form of
a heating pad or hot towels. Use as often as possible until the
swelling subsides. Be careful not to burn your skin. The swelling
is usually the greatest on the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery and
then slowly resolves. |
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You may have a clear liquid
diet (soups, juices, Jell-O), avoiding dairy products, the day of
surgery. Drink plenty of fluids. You may advance to a soft diet
as tolerated the following day. |
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If the corners of your mouth
are cracked or sore from the retractors during surgery, keep them
lubricated with a little Vaseline. |
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Do not rinse for 24 hours
as this may dislodge the blood clot. After 24 hours, if the bleeding
has stopped, a warm salt-water mouth rinse (1/2 teaspoonful to a
glass of warm water) will aid in the healing. Use four times daily
after eating and between meals. Do not use mouthwash for at least
24 hours after the surgery. |
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Do not be alarmed if a yellowish
blue-black discoloration appears on your face after surgery. It
may take a week or more to fade away. |
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It is not always necessary
to take antibiotics after a surgical procedure. If you are given
a prescription for an antibiotic, have it filled and TAKE ALL OF
THE MEDICATION according to the instructions on the label. It is
important that you finish all of the antibiotic medication.
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Occasionally sutures are
placed. Although you may feel them with your tongue, it is best
to leave them alone. |
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You should return to the
office for your post-operative visits at the suggested time. However,
feel free to call if you are having problems before your appointment.
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Following any oral surgical
procedure (particularly the removal of impacted lower wisdom teeth)
several undesirable effects may occur.
* You may have pain that becomes worse
after a few days and does not respond to medication you are taking.
This may indicate an inflammation of the bone socket. It is necessary
for you to call the office and arrange to come in for a sedative
dressing.
*Other teeth on the same side may ache temporarily.
*You may have a sore throat or earache for a few days. If the medication
you are taking does not make you comfortable, call the office.
*You may develop a fever. If the temperature reaches 101.5 degrees,
call the office.
*A numbness of the lower lip or tongue may occur on the same side
as the surgery. This should cause no alarm since it will usually
disappear in time. Mention this at your post-operative visit.
*There may be a "hole" in your gum after surgery. This
will fill in with time. Rinse your mouth after meals to keep it
clean. .
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Do's:
* Do rinse out extraction sites after meals.
* Do rinse with warm salt water several times a day starting the day
after the surgery.
* Do finish ALL your antibiotics if they have been prescribed.
* Do get plenty of rest and remain inactive for 24 hours after surgery.
* Do call the office if the pain in not managed by the prescription
provided by the doctor or with over-the-counter pain medication.
* Do call the office if you develop a fever over 101.5 Fahrenheit.
* Do call the office if you have additional questions or concerns
relating to your dental surgery.
* Do
attend your post-operative appointments.
Don'ts:
* Do not smoke or drink alcohol for at least 48 hours, as these can dry out the sockets.
* Do not eat or drink milk products for at least 24 hours.
* Do not use a straw to drink liquids.
* Do not use mouthwash for at least 24 hours.
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