Post-Operative Instructions

• GAUZE: Place 2 or 3 gauze pads together and fold twice. Place the folded gauze directly over the surgery site and bite firmly for 20 – 30 minutes. Change the gauze when the packing becomes saturated as well as to eat or drink. You may need to change the gauze as often as every 10 to 15 minutes during the first hour.  As soon as the bleeding has slowed, the gauze can be removed.  Every patient varies, but it is not uncommon to continue to use gauze on-and-off throughout the entire first day.

• DIET: Following general anesthesia, only sips of clear liquid such as 7-Up or apple juice should be taken for the first hour. Once the patient can tolerate liquids they can advance to soft foods.  Patients should eat soup and soft foods which are easily chewed and swallowed for the first 24-hours. Gradually, they can progress to solid foods as they feel able.  It may take a week or more for patients to return to a normal diet.  A nutritionally balanced diet will also help expedite healing.

• PAIN MEDICATION: Take your pain medication as prescribed, but remember you must make sure you have eaten at least a small amount of food first to help prevent nausea. We generally recommend patients take 2 or 3 Advil between each dose of their prescription pain medication.

• NAUSEA: If feeling nauseated after surgery, SLOWLY take sips of a carbonated beverage such as 7-Up. Wait a while, and then resume sipping slowly. If nausea subsides, proceed with soft bland foods. Before standing up, you should sit for one minute before rising. You could get light headed if you stand suddenly.

• SWELLING: Swelling normally takes about 48 hours to peak after surgery. You can help control swelling by using some type of ice pack on your cheek or jaw. If you don’t have an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas) wrapped in a towel will work just as well. Try and use the ice pack 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off as much as you can for the first 36 hours.

• RINSING: You can start gently rinsing your mouth 24 hours after surgery. Dissolve about ¼ teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Hold the water in your mouth and rinse gently. Rinse three or four times a day for five days.

• BRUSHING: You can usually start brushing your teeth and flossing after 24 hours, carefully avoiding any surgery sites. Soft bristle brushes are recommended. Good oral hygiene is essential to a quick recovery.

• SOCKET CARE: Initially, there will be a hollow space where the tooth was removed. The cavity will gradually fill in with the new tissue over the next month or so depending on the depth of the roots.   In the mean time, the area should be kept clean, especially after meals, with a salt water rinse or a toothbrush. In certain cases, a specialized syringe will be provided at your post-operative appointment to assist with rinsing food from deep sockets.

• PROSTHETICS: Your regular dentist may need to adjust your prosthetic slightly following oral surgery to ensure a proper fit.  In cases of multiple extractions, the bone is likely to be altered and a poorly fitting prosthetic can result in severe dental sores.  In cases where implants have been placed, a prosthetic can rub against the healing abutment at the gum line and cause the implant to loosen or not heal properly. We will work with your restorative dentist to coordinate your appointment so that you can see them the day following you surgical appointment.

• YOUR RIDE WILL BE GIVEN FULL POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO YOUR DISCHARGE.

Patients may feel groggy or disoriented following surgery, especially if undergoing I.V. sedation and should have a caretaker remain with them until the effects of the sedatives have dissipated.