The removal of impacted teeth (under the bone and/or gum tissue) is quite different from the extraction of erupted teeth. Post-operative care is important.
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.
Swelling is generally proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs (we suggest you leave them on for 30 minutes and off for 30 minutes for the first 24-36 hours; except during sleep time). After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery.
Our doctors will prescribe medications that are appropriate for you and the surgery you underwent. The instructions will be on the bottle you receive.
For severe pain, take the tablets prescribed as directed. Any narcotic pain medicine (Tylenol #3, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Lortab, Percocet, or Darvocet) may make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should be controlled. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office. Most prescription narcotics also have Tylenol (acetaminophen) in them. Therefore, it is best to not add any extra over the counter Tylenol with your prescription.
After general anesthesia or I.V. sedation, liquids should be initially taken. Do not use a straw. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical sites. High calorie, high protein intake is very important. Refer to the section on suggested diet instructions at the end of the brochure. Nourishment should be taken regularly. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 5-6 glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss a single meal. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat. Caution: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. Therefore, immediately following surgery, make changes in position slowly.
Good oral hygiene is essential for proper healing. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. The day after surgery you should begin rinsing at least 5-6 times a day especially after eating with a cup of warm water mixed with a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows swelling. The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence, which may occur 2-3 days post-operatively and should completely resolve.
Not all patients receive antibiotics after surgery. If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash, excessive diarrhea, or other unfavorable reactions, and call our office to discuss this.
In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, do not take anything by mouth for at least an hour including the prescribed medicine. You should then sip on coke, tea or ginger ale. You should sip slowly over a fifteen-minute period. When the nausea subsides you can begin taking solid foods and the prescribed medicine. Most nausea that occurs from your anesthetic should resolve within 4-6 hours. If it doesn't, call the office. Nausea that occurs 2-4 days after your anesthetic is generally from the narcotic pain medication or moderate dehydration. In this case, you should try to stop using the narcotics and try Advil or Tylenol ( if your medical condition permits ) and increase your fluid intake.
Sutures are placed the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged, this is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture form your mouth and discard it. Most are dissolvable and will be gone within 7-10 days.