- Immediately after surgery, keep gauze pads over area with biting pressure for 1 hour.
- Some oozing of blood may occur on the first and second days following the procedures. First wiping off any clots may control this type of bleeding, then placing sterile pads over the area and biting firmly for 30 minutes at a time.
- Twenty-four hours after surgery, rinse mouth with ½ teaspoon of salt to a full 8-ounce glass of warm water. Rinse after each meal and before retiring at night. DO NOT rinse if there is bleeding from the surgical site.
- Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and neck may follow some surgical procedures. This is the body’s normal reaction and the swelling usually subsides in several days. To reduce ordinary post-operative swelling, apply an ice bag (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off) only for the first 24 hours following the procedure. Never apply heat to the area.
- To minimize stiffness and to stimulate circulation, exercise jaw periodically by opening and closing.
- In some cases discoloration of the skin follows swelling. The purplish color may spread from the skin around the mouth and cheeks to the skin in the neck. The purplish color fades into greenish yellow, then yellow and back to normal. This is a perfectly normal post-operative event, especially in individuals who bruise easily.
- After a general anesthetic, the patient should first have a sweet beverage (soda or juice). Patients may then have a light soft diet (mashed potatoes).
- Some individuals experience nausea and vomiting following general anesthesia. If so, sip ginger ale or cola and do not take codeine for pain. The nausea usually subsides after several hours.
- Numbness of the lip occasionally follows oral surgery. This is usually temporary and no cause for alarm.
- For mild discomfort take usual dosage of Aspirin, Anacin, Bufferin or etc., every four hours. If this is not sufficient, take prescribed medication.
- Nourishment is essential for healing. Drink plenty of liquids (soups or juices) and eat more solid foods, as you are able, avoiding chewing in the area of the surgery.
- BONY EDGES: After teeth are extracted, the patient may feel hard projections in the mouth and think they are roots. This is usually the hare, bony partition that surrounds the roots of the teeth. These generally work themselves out. If not, return to the office for their simple removal.
- Infrequently, jaw pain, earache, and bad taste in mouth may develop anywhere from two days to twelve days following extraction. This is the result of the blood clot decomposing or being lost, therefore, leaving the raw bony walls of the socket exposed. Return to this office for simple treatment of insertion of a medicated dressing.
- ORAL HYGIENE: Remove all white film from the gums by means of cotton swab or piece of gauze. Brush your teeth with dentifrice avoiding the operative site.
- Sutures (stitches) may have been placed in the area of surgery in order to minimize post-operative bleeding and to facilitate healing. They will be removed at a subsequent visit when healing is satisfactory. Removal of stitches usually requires no anesthesia, takes only a minute of so and has no discomfort associated with the procedure.
- NO SMOKING: Smoking should be discontinued for the first 24 hours following surgery.
- Please feel free to notify our office of any unusual occurrences or questions.
Post OP Care
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