Following Your Oral Surgery

What to expect: After your oral surgery you may experience some discomfort, bleeding and/or swelling after a tooth is removed. The following are guidelines to follow which will help the healing and lead to a quicker recovery.

Discomfort: For mild pain after the local anesthetic (freezing) goes away, you can take 2 extra strength Tylenol (avoid aspirin) every 6 hours. If we have given you a prescription for stronger pain medication, you can take one tablet when you arrive home. Then follow the directions for the prescription. Certain persons may experience an upset stomach from such medicine. If this occurs, take the pills after having something to eat.

Bleeding: To help reduce the bleeding from the socket, you have been given a pack of gauze. Bite on the cotton roll/gauze as hard as you can until the freezing is completely gone. This is usually a little longer than 2 hours.

You should remove the pad every 10 minutes and replace it with new gauze. Also, to promote the blood clot: Bite on new gauze until the bleeding stops. This may take 1-4 hours depending on the surgery, minimize talking. Be careful that you do not dislodge the blood clots from the surgery site. It is important that the blood clots stay in place for several days after surgery.

DO NOT SUCK ON STRAWS! Do not stick your fingers or tongue into the surgery site. Do not chew food near the surgery site. Refrain from smoking, alcohol and hot liquids. All of these actions will dislodge blood clots in the surgery site. DO NOT DO ANY VIGOROUS RINSING OR SPITTING.

Starting tomorrow, gently rinse your mouth frequently with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt in an 8oz glass of warm water. Continue this for a few days.

• Take all medications as directed for as long as indicated
• Keep your head elevated and avoid excessive activity
• Avoid smoking for 48-72 hours and drinking alcoholic beverages for 48 hours.

If you wish, you may take some Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (Ibuprofen) after the freezing is gone. This will likely not be needed.

Diet: Cold or lukewarm liquids may be taken for the first 4-6 hours. After this, any soft food is permissible. For the first 24 hours, you should only take fluids or soft foods. Avoid any hot foods. Good suggestions are eggs, custards, yogurts, soups and pasta.

Bleeding: It is normal for the saliva to be streaked with blood a day. If frank bleeding is present, fold sterile gauze into a firm wad and place it directly on the bleeding area. Maintain firm pressure by biting on the gauze. Gauze may be substituted with a soaked black tea bag. The tannic acid in tea has a clotting effect.

Swelling and discolouration: Swelling and discolouration is to be expected in certain areas, usually reaching its maximum two days after surgery. It will disappear gradually and is not cause for concern. If desired, ice packs may be applied for the first 4-6 hours only, alternating for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

Sutures (Stitches): If sutures are required, they will be removed without discomfort in about 5 to 7 days. An appointment will be made for you. Do not hesitate to call the office if in doubt.

Oral hygiene: After surgery, it is important to keep your teeth as clean as possible. At first, only brush the teeth away from the extracted area. The next day, you may start using warm salt water rinses (1 teaspoon of salt mixed into 8oz glass of water) approximately 3 times per day. Continue this for 1 week.

Activity: Generally, it is advised that you relax and rest in a chair the day of the extraction and avoid any significant physical activity. This will promote your healing.

Good solid foods to eat after surgery: Ice-cream, milkshakes (do not use a straw), jello, pudding, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese, yogurt.

Good liquids to drink after surgery: Fruit juices, water, milk, very lukewarm beverages, Gatorade, Ensure Nutritional Drink, Carnation instant breakfast

REMEMBER: Law of gravity- everything goes down. You may experience food getting trapped in the sockets. On the 2nd day after extractions, you may start rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (8oz glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of salt).