Post Operative Instructions

Comfort can be maintained by taking the pain medication as directed. This is to be taken when you FIRST NOTICE discomfort (as you may when the anesthesia wears off). DO NOT WAIT for it may become severe and much more difficult for the medications to control. When the stronger medication is no longer needed, taper it off to plain Tylenol or Aspirin if required. We advise you to take your pain medication with food, not on an empty stomach or nausea will result.

The importance of a nutritious diet CANNOT BE OVER STRESSED particularly during this healing period. The patient who eats good soft foods feels better, remains comfortable and heals faster. Avoid eating on the treated side, if possible. A liquid diet may be used for the first one or two meals, such as: milkshakes, instant breakfast, fruit juices, warm soups, etc...Soft foods can be eaten until you feel ready to go back to your regular diet. The following provide little pressure to chew and provides the necessary nutrients; eggs, cottage cheese, ground meat, bananas, cooked fish cereal and whole wheat bread. Vitamin C aids healing; therefore, fresh juices are excellent. You should continue your usual vitamin supplements. Avoid the consumption of extremely hot, cold, or spicy foods.

A certain amount of bleeding occurs for the first 8 hours after a tooth is extracted. This is normal and may stain your saliva. If severe bleeding persists, the gauze may be changed or replaced for 30 minutes more with continuous firm pressure; however, if the site is only oozing slightly leave the dressing out as it only irritates the forming blood clot. Avoid exercise or any activity that will raise your blood pressure, as this will cause further bleeding. If this occurs, sit down and place a piece of gauze or a teabag over the surgical site and bite down to apply pressure. Follow as above. If bleeding persists, call this office. For the first night, sleep with your head elevated (extra pillows) and do not be alarmed if there is some blood on the pillow in the morning. This is common.

Apply an ice bag to your face over the treated area for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first 24 hours after surgery. A "baggie" filled with ice and wrapped in a towel works nicely. This procedure will help decrease swelling; however, a certain amount of swelling should be expected as a normal body response. The swelling should start to decrease 72 hours after surgery. If the swelling increases after 72 hours, call us.

Regular rinses (5 times/day) with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt to 8 oz lukewarm water) will help keep the area clean and promote healing. Gentle tooth brushing of teeth in the area is encouraged. Do not smoke for at least 24 hours. Seven days abstinence from smoking is ideal.

A slight fever or chills may occur; it is of no consequence unless it persists for more than 24 hours. A persistent temperature should be reported

Please read this carefully. Occasionally lower extraction sites lose their blood clot 3 to 5 days after surgery. This is called a dry socket and is characterized by exposed and inflamed bone. The result is dull, boring pain uncontrolled by pain medication, accompanied by a bad odor from the dissolve clot. Please don't wait to come in as we can very simply make you feel better by placing a series of special dressing in the site.