Post Operation Care
Swelling
In some cases, puffiness and swelling may result and should not cause alarm. This may be kept at a minimum by holding and ice bag on the outside of the face, adjacent to the surgical area for the first 6-8 hours after your visit. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then off for 15 minutes.
Bleeding
It is normal for saliva to be slightly streaked with blood. In order to stop the bleeding, place a moist piece of gauze or a cold wet tea bag (squeezed) over the surgical site, and bite down for 20 minutes. Repeat if necessary. Keep fingers and tongue away from surgical site.
Rinses
Do not rinse mouth until the following day. On morning following surgery, rinse mouth thoroughly with Peridex, Listerine or warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt + 6 oz. Warm water). Repeat this after each meal for the first 2 weeks.
Denture
Dentures should not be worn until the denture has been relined or adjusted. Insertion of dentures too early may jeopardize a successful healing process.
Diet
To prevent any inadvertent food particles from contaminating or injuring the surgical site, you should only consume liquid and mashed foods during the first 2 weeks. Some examples are fruit juices, ice cream, soups, Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, custards, mashed potatoes, peas, corn, and any food mashed in a blender. Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages should be avoided during the first 2 weeks.
Sleeping
Keep your head elevated with 2 pillows while sleeping.
Medication
Following dental surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. If medication has been prescribed, take as instructed.
Please note the following:
- All Medications May Produce Allergic Reactions and/or Side Effects.
- Narcotics Will Impede Driving, Using Machinery and Mental Alertness.
- Antibiotics May Negate Birth Control Medications. Use Alternative Methods.
Concerns
If you have any doubts or concerns, please call the office at (480) 882-9991 during office hours.
Tooth Extractions
After an extraction, it's important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. That's why we ask you to bite on a gauze pad for 30 to 45 minutes following the extraction. If the bleeding continues after you remove the gauze pad, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times. You may also use a moist tea bag instead of gauze
After the blood clot forms it is important to protect it, especially for the next 24 hours. Do NOT smoke, drink through a straw, rinse your mouth vigorously, or clean the teeth next to the extraction site.
These activities will dislodge the clot and slow down the healing process. Limit yourself to calm activities for the first 24 hours, this keeps you blood pressure lower, reduces bleeding and helps the healing process.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and have some swelling. You can use an ice pack if necessary, to keep this to a minimum. The swelling usually starts to go down after 48 hours.
Use pain medication only as directed, call the office if it doesn't seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if all symptoms and signs of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat only soft nutritious foods on the day of the extraction. Don't use alcoholic beverages and avoid hot and spicy foods. You can begin eating normally the next day or as soon as it is comfortable.
Gently rinse your mouth with salt water 3 times a day beginning the day after the extraction (1 tsp. salt in 1 cup of warm water, rinse-swish-spit out). Also, rinse gently after meals, it helps keep food out of the extraction site. It is very important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours: this should include brushing your teeth and tongue and flossing at least once a day. This speeds the healing and helps keep your breath and mouth fresh.
Call our office immediately if you have any heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling after 2 or 3 days, or a reaction to the medication. After a few days you will be feeling fine and can resume your normal activities.
Downloadable Instructions
Click here to download a copy of the Post Operation Care Procedures.