GUAZE PACKING: Gauze packing in your mouth may be removed about 2 hours after surgery. If bleeding persists, replace the gauze packs by folding a few pieces (2-4) of moistened gauze into a small roll and placing it over the extraction site, biting down firmly for 30-40 minutes. Some bleeding is expected for the first 24-36 hours after surgery. If bleeding persists or is excessive, clean out any large blood clots, which have collected beyond the surgical site with moist gauze or cloth, then place a moistened roll of gauze for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues after this, please notify our office.
ACTIVITY: After leaving our dental office today, we suggest you consider relaxing or at least limiting your activity as much as possible for the remainder of the day. Avoid strenuous activity and all aerobic exercise for the next 3 days.
DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort may be present when the anesthesia wears off. You have been given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) analgesic known as Ibuprofen / Motrin. Please take this every 8 hours or 3 times per day for the first three days. This drug will greatly decrease the possibility of post-surgical swelling and pain and has been shown to accelerate healing. Should intense discomfort occur at any time after the surgery, please take the narcotic medication as directed. You may take the narcotic medication and the NSAID together.
INFECTION: If you have been given an antibiotic please continue taking it as directed until all of the tablets have been taken. If you notice that after a few days, pain or swelling are increasing or that you are experiencing an elevated temperature (greater than 100.4°F), please call the office.
SWELLING: It is normal for some swelling to occur after surgery. To minimize swelling after surgery, apply an ice pack wrapped in a handkerchief to the outside of your face over the operated area. This should be left on your face for about 20 minutes, then removed for 20 minutes, or alternated from side-to-side, between operated areas, for 2-3 hours after surgery. The use of both ice and the anti-inflammatory medication as described above will reduce the amount and duration of facial swelling.
BLEEDING: It is common to have slight bleeding / oozing for a few hours following surgery. A soft tissue graft will actually have oozing for several days. If bleeding persists following an extraction, reapply a moistened gauze roll for at least 30 minutes. Do not attempt to apply gauze pressure in the areas of soft tissue grafting as this can greatly disturb the intended outcome / success of the surgery. Remember, most of the blood you may see in your mouth is actually a little bit of blood mixed with a lot of saliva – blood is a very strong “dye” and a little bit of blood will color your saliva dramatically. If you have bleeding that persists beyond this time frame please call the office.
ORAL HYGIENE: Brushing and oral hygiene procedures should not be performed in all TREATED areas. Avoid dental flossing in operated areas until directed to do so. No undiluted mouthwash, salt water or peroxide rinses should be used during the first week following surgery. Also avoid the use of water irrigation devices such as Waterpiks. The exposed operated areas should be gently swabbed with a Q-tip saturated with Peridex rinse as a last oral hygiene procedure at bedtime and again in the morning, after eating and drinking.
EATING AND DRINKING: Do not spit or use a straw or rinse your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. If there is something in your mouth like bloody saliva, don't spit it out but "drool" it out into a basin or sink for the first 24 hours. The day following surgery begin the use of the chlorhexidine rinses twice daily. Do not try to eat until all anesthesia (numbness) has worn off. A reasonable diet must be maintained -- even on the day of surgery. Try yogurt, pasta, fish, eggs, mashed or baked potatoes, cooked soft vegetables, tamales, soft meat, stews, soups or milkshakes. Patients should avoid hot liquids for 12 hours after surgery. Lukewarm foods and liquids are OK. Please refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages the day of surgery. If you were sedated, avoid any alcohol for 36 hours.
CARE OF THE DRESSING: A silicone putty-like material or gauze and superglue-like material may have been placed in the area operated on. Its purpose is to “protect” this area so as to minimize bleeding or discomfort. If small pieces of the dressing break off, do not be concerned. If large portions of the dressing are displaced or lost during the first few days and discomfort is experienced, we may need to replace the dressing – please contact the office. If the dressing should fall off after 4 days, and you are comfortable, replacement of the dressing is unnecessary.
USE OF REMOVABLE DENTAL APPLIANCES: If you normally wear a removable appliance, which replaces missing teeth, and it rests on the operated area, it is best to minimize use of this appliance as any pressure on the surgical site could be detrimental to healing and cause discomfort.