Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our number is: (906) 225-5959.
You may also contact Marquette General Hospital to have Dr. Farbod paged after hours, at (906) 228-9440.
DAY OF SURGERY
FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The gauze may then be changed as necessary (typically every 30 to 45 minutes). It is best to moisten the gauze with water.
EXERCISE CARE: Do not disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 2 weeks since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket. Also, DO NOT SPIT OR USE STRAWS as it can dislodge the clot, and DO NOT DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES for the next week as they can interrupt proper clotting, or any hot beverages.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing 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.
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 black tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry, allow it to cool, and wrapped in moist gauze) for 45 to 60 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is 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 twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed. Should you BEGIN to swell AFTER 72 hours of the surgery please call the doctor.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a 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. Take the medication with a small amount of food to reduce nausea. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen (400 mg q 4 hrs). Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen. If you find you are taking large amounts of pain medicine at frequent intervals, please call our office. Also, if an antibiotic is prescribed and you are currently taking oral contraceptives, please be aware that antibiotics may render some oral contraceptives less effective, therefore other forms of birth control may be needed while taking antibiotics.
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 fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications, but call us if you do not feel better.
DIET: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. DO NOT USE A STRAW for the first two weeks after surgery. AVOID CARBONATED BEVERAGES for a week to ensure proper clotting. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, milk 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 take nourishment regularly you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
ACTIVITY: Avoid heavy lifting, bending over, and excessive exertion for the next 48-72 hours. It is important to stay off physical activity, such as heavy lifting, sports, or playing instruments for at least 2 weeks.
NUMBNESS: Should you experience numbness for a longer period than the 6 hours after surgery, please contact 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.
*Any episodes of lightheadedness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness place patient head down, feet up immediately until patient regains consciousness or color comes back to face.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS
MOUTH RINSES: You may begin gentle rinses 24 hours after surgery. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. If you have been prescribed an antimicrobial mouth wash, use as directed for ten days. If not, you may use warm salt water rinses. Use 1/4 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, especially after meals. Continue to rinse gently over the next 10 days.
BRUSHING: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
WARM APPLICATIONS: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (warm moist towels, heating pad) 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 first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office.
If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first seven to ten 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.
OTHER COMPLICATIONS: You may also experience skin discoloration similar to a bruise, slight earache, and mildly sore throat. These conditions usually require no additional treatment. Should you experience severe pain, numbness that persists for longer than 6 hours after surgery, foul taste in the mouth, severe swelling, fever, or persistent heavy bleeding, please contact the office.
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call our office.