Post-Operative Instructions for Dental Surgery

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

BLEEDING

• If gauze was placed in your mouth at dismissal, bite firmly for 30 to 45 minutes on the gauze placed in your mouth.
• Remove the gauze after 30 to 45 minutes and replace it with a new one if you are still bleeding. If the gauze is completely soaked with blood, replace it earlier than 30 minutes.
• Place the new gauze directly over the surgical area that is bleeding. Firm pressure for another hour should stop the bleeding. Fold gauze in half if needed.
• If bleeding continues after many attempts place a tea bag instead of gauze. (The tannic acid in the tea will help to form a clot and stop the bleeding.)
• IF BLEEDING IS NOT CONTROLLED, CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
• Some bleeding is normal and expected after a tooth extraction. It will usually subside quickly and stop within a few hours after surgery. A little oozing is also normal and may persist for several hours or even overnight.
• Remove all gauze when eating or drinking to avoid choking.
• Make sure to remove all gauze before taking naps or going to bed to ensure that you do not choke or inhale gauze.

SWELLING

• Use an ice pack on the cheek or face directly over the surgical area. Alternate ice packs constantly for the first 24 hours.
• Keep ice on for 15-20 minutes, off for 10 minutes, and repeat until you go to sleep. Repeat the cycle for the following two days.
• Sleep with your head elevated to help with swelling.
• Most patients will experience swelling after surgery. It might be mild or severe, and it is different for every patient. The swelling will increase during the first 24 to 72 hours before it begins to subside. Typically, day three is the peak of the swelling process. Swelling might last from several days to a week

PAIN AND MEDICATIONS

• If applicable, please take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Continue either prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication as necessary.
• Remember that narcotics can make you drowsy, so no driving, no operating machinery, and no alcoholic beverages while you are taking medications.
• Do not take medications on an empty stomach unless directed otherwise.
• If no pain medication has been prescribed; Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil tablets taken with a glass of water every 3-5 hours should suffice. Do not take it if you have a known allergy or a medical condition that prevents you from taking these medications.
• The most current research supports taking Advil (ibuprofen) at the same time as Tylenol (acetaminophen) is much more effective for pain than opioids (Norco, Percocet Vicodin, etc.)
• If an emergency arises and you cannot reach the office, please call 911.

NUTRITION AND ACTIVITIES

• Your diet should consist mainly of soft, easily swallowed foods and cool drinks. (Examples: protein drinks, Gatorade, whole milk, yogurt, eggs, ground meat, mashed potatoes, soft cheese, soups, etc.)
• Please stay well-nourished and well-hydrated to promote faster healing.
• Avoid anything that might get stuck in the surgery site.
• Avoid seeds, nuts, popcorn, chips, berries, or similar foods.
• Do NOT drink through a straw.
• NO alcohol or carbonated beverages.
• Avoid chewing on surgical sites.
• For the first 48 hours after surgery, eat small amounts every 2-4 hours especially when taking medications. The ideal caloric intake post-surgery is 2,000-3,000 calories per day.
• Avoid strenuous activity and do not exercise for at least 3–4 days after surgery. Your regular caloric and fluid intake has been reduced, so you may get light-headed, dizzy, or weak.
• If given IV or oral sedation, the patient cannot drive or operate machinery until the following day.

ORALY HYGIENE AND HOME CARE:

• Starting the day after surgery, use lukewarm salt water to gently slosh (tilt head back and forth) with the following meals to flush out particles of food and debris and promote healing. (Mix 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water)
• Following saltwater rinse, apply the provided Perioscience gel to surgical sites using the tip of your tongue or a cotton-tip applicator. Apply gel 3-6 times daily to promote healing. (Do NOT use your finger for application)
• Continue using saltwater rinses and Perioscience gel at least three times daily for two weeks unless instructed otherwise.
• Starting the day after surgery, carefully resume the normal brushing/water flossing routine. If using an electric toothbrush, turn the brush off at surgical areas (until healed) and gently brush the surgical site and surrounding areas.
• Brush ONLY with a soft or extra-soft toothbrush.
• Any or all loose sutures will be removed at the scheduled two-week post-operative appointment.
• If you had implant/implants placed, you may have a protective membrane and bone grafting in the area. Try not to dislodge the membrane or bone grafting by brushing or rinsing too vigorously.
• FOR WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL AND EXTRACTIONS ONLY:
• If NO bone grafting or implant has been placed and you have been given a Monojet syringe, begin using syringe on day three with warm salt water to gently flush out and properly clean all surgical sites.(Hover the curved tip of the syringe over the extraction site, be careful not to push tip deep into socket, depress the plunger, and the force of the water coming out of the tip should effectively irrigate whatever food debris that may be lodged inside the socket.)
• If the surgical sites become sore, irritated, or increasingly painful there may be food particles in the surgical site. We encourage you to flush the site to ensure socket is debris-free and to use the syringe after each meal, but not until day three.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

• For general questions and concerns, please call the office or text URGENT to 903-872-8422 and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.
• If a true emergency arises, please call 911.