Post Surgical Extraction Instructions
Please follow instructions as written. They will add to your comfort and hasten your recovery. Please read all the instructions thoroughly.
CONTROL OF BLEEDING: When you leave the office continue to bite on the moist gauze pressure pads consistently swallowing frequently for 30 minutes. Change the gauze pressure pads every 30-45 minutes depending upon bleeding. When replacing the pads use one or two 2x2 cotton gauze pads, moisten them and fold them once together and have the patient apply gentle pressure over the extraction site. Take your first medications with water.
SIX THINGS NOT TO DO FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS:
- No smoking
- No use of soda straws or carbonated beverages.
- No hot liquids (lukewarm coffee, tea or soup is fine).
- No vigorous rinsing with mouthwash or water ( very mild swishing is okay)
- No spitting, wipe saliva from your lips with tissue.
- No milk or dairy products is you tend to have an easily upset stomach.
Any of the above can cause increased bleeding after surgery. Some bleeding following oral surgery is to be expected. You will notice an oozing for 12 to 24 hours following the surgery. Pressure applied over the surgical areas by biting on moist gauze pads or moistened tea bags will decrease the bleeding.
DIET: Maintain an adequate diet by eating soft but chewable foods and cool or room temperature liquids. Chewing soft foods will help prevent muscular stiffness and you will feel better if you are well nourished. Examples of a soft but chewable diet are spaghetti, macaroni, casseroles, scrambled eggs, pancakes, custards, Jell-O, baked potatoes, tender cooked vegetables, vegetables in soup, noodles in soups. Avoid hard crisp foods such as raw vegetables, Fritos and Doritos.
POSTURE AND POSITION: From the time you arrive home following surgery until bedtime, remain in a sitting, semi-reclined well propped up position. Place a towel over your pillow or chair to prevent blood from getting on your furniture if you bleed when you sleep.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Avoid physical exertion or exercise for 24-48 hours. The rule of thumb is that the first day you are feeling 100 % give yourself one more day. Exertion will increase blood flow and cause pain in the area of the surgery.
Swelling of the face following difficult oral surgery is to be expected and is normal. You may help prevent and decrease the swelling by the proper use of ice bags for 24 to 48 hours (no longer than 48 hours, please). Apply ice bag to face for one hour and then remove it for 30 minutes. Repeat this sequence over and over. Swelling may well last for five to seven days. DO NOT AT ANY TIME USE A HEATING PAD OR HOT PACKS.
ORAL HYGIENE: Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth vigorously for 12 hours following surgery. You must keep your mouth clean starting the day after surgery by using a soft tooth brush and rinse of 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8 ounce glass of lukewarm water four times a day.
PRESCRIPTIONS: The prescriptions given you are for a specific purpose. Take them according to instructions. Do not let anyone else take your drugs. Take all antibiotics (if prescribed) until they are gone. Remember, no driving or operating heavy machinery while taking pain medicines.
STITCHES (SUTURES): If sutures were placed, it was for control of bleeding and to hasten the healing. These will dissolve the 4th to 6th day following surgery. If non-dissolving sutures were used, you will be given an appointment for their removal.
TELEPHONE AND CALL POLICY: Please limit your after hours and weekend calls to those of a true emergency nature such as extreme prolonged uncontrolled bleeding, allergic reactions, temperature elevation of 101 that persists for 24 hours, prolonged periods of repeated nausea with vomiting.