Pre and Post Op Instructions
Pre and Post Op Instructions
Board-Certified | Over 50 Years' Combined Experience | State-of-the-Art Equipment
Board-CertifiedOver 50 Years' Combined ExperienceState-of-the-Art Equipment
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Pre-Operative Sedation: Anesthesia Instructions
Because you have received intravenous drugs that may alter perception and reaction time, you should observe the following recommendations:
1. Do not take any sleeping or tranquilizing drugs for the next 24 hours.
2. Do not use alcohol beverages for the next 24 hours.
3. Do not use any machinery or drive an automobile until tomorrow. This includes using a stove or any equipment that, though ordinary safe, might represent a danger to one who has a slower reaction time.
4. Do not sleep on your back, sleep on either your sides of your stomach. Remember that although you feel fine, residual drug effects may slow reaction time and we don’t want you to hurt yourself or others.
Post-Op Instructions
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Sometimes the after effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply, common sense will often dictate what you should do. It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have any questions about your progress, please call the office where you had surgery. Please try to call during office hours, however, if an emergency exists contact the doctors at home. Calling during office hours will afford a faster response.
Day of Surgery
FIRST HOUR
Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical area, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled. If active bleeding persists after one hour, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30-60 minutes. The gauze may be changed as necessary and may be dampened and / or fluffed for a more comfortable position.
EXERCISE CARE
Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects or your fingers. You may brush your teeth gently.
DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since it is very detrimental to healing.
OOZING
Intermittent bleeding or oozing is normal, it may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the surgical areas and biting firmly for 30-60 minutes.
STEADY BLEEDING
Bleeding should never be severe. If it is, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between your teeth rather than exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try positioning fresh packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy, you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in a moist gauze) for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING
Often there is some swelling associated with oral surgery. You can minimize this by using a COLD PACK OR ICE BAG wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 48 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed. After 48 hours, it is usually best to switch from ice to MOIST HEAT to the same areas.
PAIN
Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. Effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief, you may supplement each pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Some people may even require two of the pain pills at one time during early stages (but that may add to the risk of upset stomach). Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.
NAUSEA
Nausea is not an uncommon event after surgery, and it is sometimes caused by stronger pain medications. Nausea may be reduced by preceding each pill with a small amount of soft food, then taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear liquids and minimize the pain medication, but call us if you do not feel better or if repeated vomiting is a problem. Cola drinks that have less carbonation may help with nausea.
DIET
Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Temperature of the food doesn’t matter, but avoid extremely hot foods. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first day’s intake to bland liquids or pureed foods (creamed soups, pudding, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.). Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., that may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow instructions form us or your physician regarding your insulin schedule.
SHARP EDGES
If you feel sharp edges in the surgical areas with your tongue, it is probably the bony walls which originally supported the teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the first week or two after surgery. They are not pieces of tooth and, if necessary, we will remove them. Please call the office if you are concerned.
2nd And 3rd Days Post Surgery
MOUTH RINSES
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use a one-quarter teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least two or three times daily for the next five days.
BRUSHING
Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make an effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS
Apply warm compresses to the skin overlaying areas of swelling (hot water bottle, moist hot towels and heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe those tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
SYRINGE
If you were given an irrigating syringe at your first office check-up visit, start using it the third day after surgery to keep sockets clean. Fill it with warm water and irrigate any open sockets gently, especially after eating.
DRY SOCKET
Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first day of surgery is usually the most uncomfortable and there is some degree of swelling and stiffness. The second day you will usually be far more comfortable and, although still swollen, you can usually begin a more substantial diet. From the third day on GRADUAL, STEADY IMPROVEMENT should mark the remainder of your post-operative course. If a DRY SOCKET occurs (loss of blood clot from socket, usually on the 3rd and 5th day), there is a noticeable distinct, persistent throbbing pain in the jaw, often radiating toward the ear and forward along the jaw to cause other teeth to ache. If you do not see steady improvement during the first few days after surgery, don’t suffer needlessly. Call the office and report symptoms so you can be seen as soon as possible.
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