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Following Your Oral Surgery

 

WHAT TO EXPECT:

 Some discomfort, bleeding and/or swelling are expected after having a tooth removed.  The following are guidelines to follow which will help the healing and lead to a quicker recovery.

 

DISCOMFORT:

To prevent pain, take over the counter pain medication (Advil or Extra-Strength Tylenol (avoid Aspirin) every 6 hours. If we have given you a prescription for stronger pain medication, you can take one tablet when you arrive home.  Then follow the directions for the prescription.  Certain persons may experience an upset stomach from such medicine.  If this occurs, take the pills after having something to eat.

 

BLEEDING:

To help reduce the bleeding from the socket, you have been given a pack of gauze.  Wet the gauze and apply pressure if needed.  Also, to promote the blood to clot:

 

  1. keep your head elevated and avoid excessive activity

  2. avoid spitting

  3. do not use a straw

  4. avoid smoking for 4-6 hours and drinking alcoholic beverages for 24 hours

  5. do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours

  6. Bite on gauze till bleeding stops. This may take 1 to 4 hours depending on the surgery

  7. Be careful that you do not dislodge the blood clots from the surgery site. It is important that the blood clots stay in place for several days after surgery.

  8. Do not suck on straws; do not stick your tongue or fingers into the surgery site; do not chew food near surgery site; refrain from smoking, alcohol, and hot liquids. All of these actions will dislodge blood clots in the surgery site.

  9. Starting tomorrow, gently rinse your mouth frequently with a solution of ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Continue this for a few days.

  10. Take all medications as directed for as long as indicated.

  11. If discomfort persists please contact our office at 519-631-6010.

 

DIET

Cold or lukewarm liquids maybe taken for the first 4 –6 hours. Continue to eat as normal of a diet as possible.   Avoid very hard crunchy foods and hot food.  Avoid foods with little seeds, which may settle into extraction socket and cause infection. Good suggestions are eggs, custards, yogurts, soups and pasta.

 

BLEEDING

It is normal for the saliva to be streaked with blood for a day. If frank bleeding is present, fold damp gauze into a firm wad and place it directly on the bleeding area. Maintain firm pressure by biting on the gauze. Gauze may be substituted with a soaked black tea bag. The tannic acid in tea has a clotting effect.

 

SWELLING AND DISCOLOURATION

Swelling and discolouration is to be expected in certain areas, usually reaching its maximum two days after surgery. It will disappear gradually and is not a cause for concern. If desired, ice packs may be applied for the first 4 to 6 hours only, alternating for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

 

SUTURES (STITCHES)

If sutures are required, they will dissolve on their own.  Do not hesitate to call the office if in doubt.

 

ORAL HYGIENE

After surgery, it is important to keep your teeth as clean as possible.  At first, only brush the teeth away from the extracted area.  The next day, you may start using warm salt water rinses (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 glass of warm water) approximately 3 times a day.  Continue this for 1 week.

 

ACTIVITY

Generally, it is advised that you relax and rest in a chair the day of the extraction and avoid any significant physical activity.  This will promote your healing.

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