Different surgical procedures warrant different after effects, so not all of the instructions may apply. Please follow the instructions given to you by the surgical assistant. Use these printed instructions as a guideline should you have any questions. If still in doubt, please feel free to call the office for clarification.
Sometimes the after effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply to everyone. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our phone number is 623-412-0310.
First Hour: Bite down gently, but firm enough on the gauze packs that they stay in place over the surgical sites. When you get home, take out the gauze and eat something cool and soft. Replace gauze packs over the surgical sites again and bite down. Continue to bite on the gauze packs for approximately 30 minutes. If after 30 minutes the gauze has little or no blood, you can leave them out. If active bleeding persists, place new packs to obtain pressure, changing as necessary(typically every 30 to 45 minutes). It is best to lightly moisten the gauze with tap water before placing over surgical areas.
EXERCISE CARE: do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse or probe the area with any objects. Please DO NOT SMOKE for at lease 72 hours since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket. No spitting for 24 hours.
Intermittent oozing or bleeding overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30-45 minutes at a time. Do not go to sleep with gauze in your mouth.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between teeth only and are not exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy, you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in a moist gauze) for 20 or 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling if often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours after surgery, unless otherwise directed. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time. DO NOT take any over-the-counter analgesics to supplement you pain pills without consulting with the office first. If you find you are taking larger amounts of pain medicine at frequent intervals, please call our office. If you anticipate needing more prescription medication for the weekend, you must call for a refill during weekday business hours.
NAUSEA: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food, and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear liquids and minimize dosing of pain medication, but call us if you do not feel better. Classic Cola may help with nausea.
DIET: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods(soups, puddings, yogurt, mil shakes, etc.) It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc, which may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you eat regularly you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain you normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
SHARP EDGES: If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
MOUTH RINSES: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use the antibacterial rinse (Chlorhexidine) as prescribed, beginning the day after surgery. A second supplemental rinse used is ¼ teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse. Repeat as often as you like, but at least two or three times daily.
BRUSHING: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine the second and third day. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS: On the third day you may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The third day after surgery is generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually increased swelling. The increased discomfort could last for two to three days. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you do not see continued improvement after the fifth day, please call our office. If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first five days. Then use it daily according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that there is no chance of any food particles lodging in the socket. You may also notice an increase in body temperature. Please call our office if your temperature exceeds 100 degrees.
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. A 24 hour answering service is available to contact Dr. Allard after hours. Calling during office hours will achieve a faster response to your questions or concerns. Please call for Prescription refills during office hours only.