*POST OPERATIVE CARE AFTER ORAL SURGERY** Pain A certain amount of pain following surgery is to be expected. For persistent pain use the medication prescribed. Always take pain medication with food. Bleeding and Swelling Some bleeding is to be expected. Bite into the gauze/apply firm pressure, which was placed over the surgical area, do not open and close your mouth. Leave the gauze in place for 30 minutes. If slight bleeding continues, it usually can be controlled by simple biting pressure with a gauze for 30 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues after the above measures, soak a tea bag in cold water then wrap it in a gauze. Place it firmly in the area of bleeding. Lying down with your head elevated can also be a benefit. Apply an ice bag to the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for today only. If there is swelling tomorrow, do not use ice. Begin applying warm, moist heat to the area. Avoid hot liquids. If you are unable to control bleeding or swelling please call us as soon as possible. Rinsing Do not rinse, spit, smoke, or suck through a straw until the next morning. These activities may dislodge the blood clot, cause bleeding, and delay healing. These factors also increase your risk of dry socket. Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse with salt water after meals to flush out food particles which may lodge in the extraction site. (1 teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water) Continue this for at least three days after the extraction. If you are unable to rinse out of the food particles, stop by the office for a syringe. Do not pick at the extraction site. You may resume brushing as normal on your other teeth, just avoid the extraction site. Diet Do not chew on solid food while you are still numb. Eat light, soft foods, with as much fluid intake as possible. As soon as possible, change to solid foods, to help you heal faster. When you do eat, try to avoid the extraction site as much as possible. Sutures/Stitches Dissolvable stitches are used unless otherwise noted, and they normally fall out/dissolve over the next seven days. Possible Side Effects Slight Bleedings- control as instructed above Swelling- may be quite large for 4-5 days; control as instructed above There may be a slight elevation in your temperature for 24 - 48 hours. If a temperature continues, please call us. There might be a slight earache or jaw soreness due to having your mouth open for an extended period of time. If the corners of you mouth are stretched, they may get dry and crack temporarily. Keep you lips moist with chapstick or Vaseline. Numbness may persist. This is usually a temporary condition and will gradually disappear in a few days to several weeks as the nerve tissue is repaired. Black and blue bruising may occur on the outside of the face. This is not unusual and make take a week or more to resolve.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 07:14:00 +0000
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