Post Surgical Instructions
Routine Post-Surgical Instructions
Medications/prescriptions: If an antibiotic is prescribed, it is to be taken until finished. Pain medications are to be taken as instructed on the bottle. No driving when taking narcotic pain medication. The local anesthetic will wear off within one-half hour to four hours following surgery. It is important to take your pain medication prior to discomfort. It is also important to eat prior to taking pain medication.
Not eating can cause nausea and vomiting. After the first 24 to 72 hours, you may switch to using over-the-counter pain medications. If you should develop a rash, itching, difficulty breathing, wheezing, nasal congestion, or swelling around the eyes not related to the surgeries, stop taking all medications and notify our office immediately.
Routine Post-Surgical Instructions
Attention, all female patients using birth control pills: Please be advised that if the doctor prescribes the use of an antibiotic, an alternative form of birth control must be used during that period of time.
Bleeding: Gauze was placed over the surgical site so that it serves as a pressure bandage when you bite down. Usually, we recommend leaving it in place until the numbness from the local anesthetic wears off and brisk oozing does not occur when the gauze is removed. Replace the gauze hourly to control bleeding, if necessary. Remove the gauze when eating or taking medications. A small amount of oozing is normal. Pink or blood-tinged saliva may be present for 24 to 48 hours. You may wish to cover your pillow with a towel to avoid staining. Rest with your head elevated on two or more pillows for the first day. Excessive bleeding can be controlled by placing a moist tea bag over the surgical site for one hour while applying pressure.
Eating: Cold, soft foods for the first 24 hours. Suggestions include ice cream, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, milkshakes, and applesauce. For the next four days, follow a soft diet (eggs, mashed potatoes, and pasta). Drink more fluids than you usually would. Do not drink alcoholic or carbonated beverages for four days after surgery. This is not the time to lose weight; proper nutrition is necessary for healing.
Swelling: Some swelling after surgery is normal; don’t be alarmed. It takes three days for surgical swelling to reach a peak before subsiding. Ice packs are used to reduce swelling and produce a local numbness immediately after surgery. Ice packs should be applied during the first 24 hours after surgery. Plastic bags filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a damp towel or commercial ice bag are convenient forms of application. Apply for 20 minutes and leave off for 10 minutes. After discontinuing ice, switch to moist heat (hot water bottle or warm washcloth). If there was swelling from infection at the time of surgery, use moist heat instead of ice!
Rinsing: Avoid rinsing, spitting, drinking through a straw, and mouthwash containing alcohol for the first 24 hours. A gentle rinsing with warm salt water (one-half teaspoon of salt in a large drinking glass) after meals and at bedtime is important after this period. After 72 hours, a more vigorous rinsing is encouraged after meals and at bedtime for two weeks.
Smoking: We advise you not to smoke at all during the first 72 hours after surgery. Smoking can increase pain and lead to poor healing. The longer you refrain from smoking, the less chance you have of post-operative problems.
Activity: Avoid excessive physical exertion and fatigue during the immediate post-operative period. Be sure to get adequate sleep.
Tooth brushing: Don’t brush the day of surgery. Brushing of the immediate surgical site should be discontinued for about one week after surgery to prevent destruction of the blood clot, healing tissues, and/or sutures. The remainder of the mouth may be brushed normally. When you resume brushing at the surgical site, you may experience a small amount of bleeding or discomfort. This is normal.
Sutures/dressings: A variety of sutures and dressings may have been used as part of your treatment, and you may feel them with your tongue. The sutures will either dissolve on their own or be removed at the appropriate post-operative appointment.
Appearance of wound: Dental extraction sites will often appear as an opening or a “hole.” This opening is a normal part of wound healing. The opening will gradually close over several weeks as the site heals.
Post-IV Anesthesia Instructions
The major effects of the intravenous drugs will have worn off before you are allowed to leave our office. However, there can be residual effects lasting 6 to 12 hours – and sometimes longer. During this time, your reflex time and judgment may be altered. Therefore, you are advised not to drive an automobile or operate machinery during the day of the anesthetic or while taking narcotic pain medications. During the same period, should you experience lightheadedness, dizziness, etc., do not attempt to walk without assistance.
Immediate Denture Instructions
The denture that was placed in your mouth immediately after surgery will serve as a surgical bandage. Leave the denture in place for 24 hours. If the denture is removed too early, the oral tissues may continue to swell and you will not be able to replace the denture. After 24 hours, remove as needed to clean or rinse your mouth. After the initial 24-hour period, it is important to keep the denture out at night to allow for adequate healing.
Possible Conditions After Surgery
One or more of the following conditions may develop after your surgery. If so, please refer to this information. Call our office if you have any additional questions.
Antibiotics: May cause diarrhea or stomach upset. Eating active-culture yogurt may help decrease the incidence by restoring normal gastrointestinal flora.
Fever: The normal, average oral temperature is 98.6 F. Your temperature may rise slightly for a day or two after surgery and is usually of no concern. If you feel warm or sweaty, we recommend that you take and record your oral temperature during the morning and before retiring. A persistently raised temperature should be reported to our office. Drink plenty of fluids during this period, but not within a few minutes before taking your temperature.
Bruising: Bruising may be present to varying degrees. It will subside over a period of five to 10 days.
Muscle stiffness: Tenderness and stiffness within the chewing muscles may develop during the post-operative period and should not alarm you. It is usually due to swelling in the area of the muscles and is best treated with moist heat therapy. It will slowly resolve over a five- to 10-day period.
IV injection site: The point where the needle entered the vein may develop a bluish color, which will change to yellow and then to normal in a matter of days. There may be a slight tenderness to the area, and perhaps small lumps. These signs and symptoms are usually of no concern and are best treated with a hot moist towel and elevation of the arm. Should the arm begin to swell or tenderness progress up toward the shoulder, please call our office.
Nausea/vomiting: Nausea following surgery is usually due to taking medications on an empty stomach. Keep eating and take as few pain pills as possible. Sipping flat 7-Up, ginger ale, or cola may help. Call our office if severe nausea or vomiting persists.
Numbness: As we explained prior to surgery, a partial numbness of your lips or tongue may be apparent when local anesthesia wears off. Time will usually resolve this condition. It could be several weeks to several months before feeling returns. It returns slowly and it is hard for you to perceive the change. A sensation of “burning, tingling, or electric shocks” in the numb areas indicates that feeling is returning. Call any numbness to our attention at your first post-operative visit.
Sharp bony edges: Small pieces of bone may work out of the surgical area as long as five or six weeks after the surgery. This may resolve on its own over a period of a few weeks. If necessary, removal of bone spicules is simple and routine process.
Sore lip/cheek: The corners of your mouth may be dry and cracked after surgery. This is best treated by applying Vaseline.
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Belleair Oral Surgery & Implants
Located in Belleair Bluffs, FL, Belleair Oral Surgery & Implants specializes in dental implants, sinus lifts, and wisdom teeth procedures. We work with most major insurance companies. Emergency services are available. Affordable and competitive pricing. Call for an appointment.