Post Operative Instructions
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are minimal, so not all instructions apply. Use common sense to guide your actions. However, when in doubt, please follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our number is 952-465-0105.
DAY OF SURGERY
FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs placed over the surgical areas, ensuring they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is uncontrolled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to apply pressure over the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The gauze can be changed, typically every 30 to 45 minutes. It is best to moisten the gauze with tap water and loosely fluff it 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. DO NOT SMOKE, as this is very detrimental to healing and can cause a dry socket.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. You can control bleeding by placing fresh gauze over the affected areas and biting down on it for 30 to 45 minutes at a time.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If it is, it usually indicates that the packs are being clenched between the teeth rather than applying pressure to 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 moist gauze) for 20 to 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is common after oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag, or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, 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 medication to control swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
PAIN: Most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will typically receive a prescription for pain medication. To manage discomfort effectively, take the first pill before the anesthetic wears off. Some patients find that stronger pain medications can cause nausea; however, taking each pain pill with a small amount of food can help reduce this risk. The effectiveness of pain medications varies widely among individuals. If you do not experience adequate relief initially, you may supplement each pain pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require two pain pills at one time. Keep in mind that the most intense pain usually occurs within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off, after which your need for medication should decrease. If you find yourself taking large amounts of pain medication frequently, please contact our office. If you anticipate needing a refill for the weekend, be sure to call for it during weekday business hours.
NAUSEA: Nausea is a common experience after surgery, often caused by pain medications. To reduce nausea, try taking each pain pill with a small amount of soft food and a large volume of water. Continue to hydrate with clear fluids and minimize pain medication doses, but please call us if you do not feel better. Classic Coca-Cola may also help alleviate nausea.
DIET: Consume any nourishing foods that are comfortable to eat. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. While it is sometimes advisable to limit your intake on the first day to liquids or pureed foods (such as soups, puddings, yogurt, milkshakes, etc.), this is not absolutely required. It is best to steer clear of foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, and popcorn, as they may become lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days, you can gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! Regular nourishment will help you feel better, gain strength, experience less discomfort, and heal faster. If you are diabetic, maintain your usual eating habits or follow the instructions provided by your doctor.
SHARP EDGES: If you feel something hard or sharp in the surgical areas, it’s likely that you are feeling the bony walls that once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally, small slivers of bone may work their way out over the following week. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
SECOND AND THIRD DAY INSTRUCTIONS
MOUTH RINSES: Maintaining oral cleanliness after surgery is crucial. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and gently rinse your mouth using portions of the solution. Take five minutes to use the entire glass. You can repeat this as often as you like, but aim for at least two to three times a day.
BRUSHING: Resume your regular oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. While soreness and swelling may limit your ability to brush vigorously, please make every effort to clean your teeth comfortably.
HOT APPLICATIONS: Apply warm compresses to the skin over the swollen areas (such as a hot water bottle, hot moist towels, or a heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to soothe tender areas. This will also help reduce swelling and stiffness.
HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction typically follows this timeline: The first two days after surgery are usually the most uncomfortable, accompanied by some swelling. By the third day, you should feel more comfortable and, although still swollen, can generally start a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative period should show gradual and steady improvement. If you do not experience continued improvement, please call our office. If you are provided with a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first five days. After that, use it daily according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that no food particles are lodged in the socket.
It is our desire for your recovery to be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will help, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. A 24-hour answering service is available to contact the doctor on call after hours. However, calling during office hours will provide a faster response to your questions or concerns. PLEASE NOTE: Telephone calls for narcotic (painkiller) prescription renewals are ONLY accepted during office hours.