POST OPERATIVE CARE FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY
- Following surgery keep gauze pads over the area with biting pressure for 1 hour.
- Some oozing of blood may persist on the first and second day following surgery. Placing sterile pads over the area and biting for a ½ hour at a time may control this.
- The day following surgery, rinse the mouth with warm saline rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to a full glass of warm water) after meals and before bed.
- AVOID SMOKING
- Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and neck may follow some surgical procedures. This is normal and may persist 5-7 days. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack, 15 minutes on 15 minutes off, for the first 8 hours after surgery.
- In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows surgery. This is often normal, especially in individuals who bruise easily.
- If you experience nausea and vomiting following general anesthetic, sip ginger ale or cola and minimize activity. Symptoms usually subside after several hours.
- Numbness of the lips occasionally follows oral surgery. This is usually temporary and no cause for alarm.
- For discomfort, take the prescribed medication as directed.
- Drink plenty of liquids and take solid foods, as you are able. Avoid chewing in the area of surgery.
- Following the removal of teeth, you may feel projections, which can be mistaken for roots. This often represents bony edges. Return to the office for evaluation.
- Infrequently, jaw pain, earache, and a bad taste in the mouth may develop from 2-7 days following tooth extractions. This is the result the blood clot decomposing or being lost. If this occurs, return to the dental office for a medicated dressing.
- Sutures are normally resorbable and will be gone in 1-2 weeks. Occasionally you will return to the dental office for suture removal.
- Maintain normal oral hygiene being careful to avoid trauma to the operative site.
- Please notify the dnetal office of any unusual occurrences or if you should have any questions.
