Surgical Instructions

Your Comfort is Our Top Priority

Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. When in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. If any problems arise or if you have any questions, please call (859) 264-1898. We are available 24 hours a day.

Prescriptions
If you received a prescription for pain medication, follow the directions on the bottle. Take no other pain medications or sedatives without first discussing with me. Do not operate a motor vehicle or machinery (lawn mower, etc.) while taking the pain medication. Beginning the day after the extractions you may start taking Ibuprofen, 400-600 mg with each meal until your soreness resolves. Do not take Ibuprofen if you have been intolerant of this medication in the past.

Bleeding
There is gauze over the tooth sockets. Bite firmly on the gauze for 30 minutes. If bleeding returns, place new folded gauze and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. Slight oozing of blood is normal for 12-24 hours. If you experience bright red bleeding, please call me.

Pain
Once you are home, take your first pain pill. It is better to take pain medication with a small snack or following a meal. If your pain increases dramatically several days after your surgery, please notify me.

Rinsing
DO NOT rinse or spit today. Tomorrow begin gentle rinsing with warm salt water (one teaspoon table salt in 12 ounce glass of warm tap water) after each meal and at bedtime. You may carefully brush your teeth beginning tonight.

Swelling
Swelling is normal during the first 2-3 days. An ice pack on each side of the lower jaw for the first 24 hours will decrease pain and swelling. Swelling can also be controlled by elevating your head on two pillows while sleeping. If your swelling dramatically increases after several days, please notify me.

Smoking
DO NOT smoke for one week. The heat and toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are harmful to healing wounds.

Stitches
You may notice some stitches in your mouth. These will dissolve over one week to two weeks. Do not be concerned if you lose a stitch prior to the return appointment.

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. Classic Coca Cola may help with nausea.

Diet
Take only liquids or very soft foods, until the “numbing” medicine wears off. Then Advance your diet as tolerated. Avoid hot, spicy foods for one week

Foods To Eat
Eat nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids and pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, milkshakes, etc.) Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods, as your comfort level increases.

Foods to Avoid
Avoid extremely hot foods. It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., which may get lodged in the socket areas. Do not use a straw for four (4) days after surgery.

Sharp Edges
If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls that 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.

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. 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 tap water and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning.

Exercise Care
Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush your teeth gently. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 72 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.

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 tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in a moist gauze) for 20 or 30 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 for 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.

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. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced.

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. Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time. 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. If you anticipate needing more prescription medication for the weekend, you must call for a refill during weekday business hours.

Mouth Rinses
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. 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.

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.

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 five 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.

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 the office, our doctors are available 24 hours a day. Calling during office hours will afford a faster response to your question or concern.

PLEASE NOTE: Telephone calls for narcotic (pain killer) prescription renewal are ONLY accepted during office hours, and you will be required to come to the office for an exam to receive this prescription

FAQ

Have Questions?

Below are answers to common questions about procedures:

What is The Best Age to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed

If it is recognized that you do not have enough room in your mouth for your third molars to erupt, it is advisable to have them removed as soon as it is recognized. In some patients, it is as early as 11 or 12 whereas in others it may not be until 17 or 18 years of age. You will heal faster, with more predictable final healing and have fewer complications than an older patient.

What will I pay?

Every insurance company has a different policy regarding the extent of coverage for a given surgical procedure. We encourage you to check with both your medical AND dental insurance carrier to determine your coverage and out of pocket liability.

Are Dental Implants an Option for me?

If you are considering dental implants, your mouth will be examined thoroughly and your dental and medical history will be reviewed to ensure that dental implants are appropriate for you. Dental x-rays and, frequently, panoramic (or complete) x-rays of your jaws will be taken to evaluate your jawbone and to determine if it will accommodate implants. Occasionally, more detailed information is required and can be provided by special x-rays. They will help determine if additional tests or procedures are needed to place your implants properly.

What If I Have Questions Before Surgery?

We attempt to answer all of your questions before surgery to give provide you clarity about your operation and relieve any concerns you have. If you have questions still unanswered, please call our offices to speak to one of our Patient Care Coordinators.

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