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Bleeding:
A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following oral
surgery. Keep mouth closed tightly on gauze for about an hour,
until bleeding stops. It may require biting on gauze for several
hours to stop the bleeding. Be certain the gauze pack is thick
enough to allow firm pressure when biting down. Repeat this
procedure as necessary, making sure to use new gauze every
hour. Oozing may continue for 12 to 24 hours after surgery.
-
Rinsing:
Do not rinse any area of surgery for at least 12 hours. Then,
rinse very gently with warm salt water (one teaspoon salt
to a glass of warm water) every 6 hours for one-week.
-
Swelling:
Swelling very often occurs after one or more extractions.
This is quite usual and is an indication of healing occurring.
Apply cold packs to outside of face for 30 minutes every hour
for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, if swelling continues
apply warm moist packs to outside of face for at least 30
minutes every hour. It usually takes 3 to 5 days for swelling
to diminish.
-
Head Elevated:
Keep head elevated, using two pillows.
-
Temperature:
Contact the office if temperature exceeds 100° Fahrenheit.
-
Diet: A
liquid or soft diet is appropriate, increasing to solid foods
as tolerated.
-
Brushing:
After 24 hours, you may brush your remaining teeth. Be careful
to do this gently in areas adjacent to surgery or sutures.
-
Medication:
Take medications as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take
pain medication on an empty stomach.
-
Nausea & Vomiting:
This may occur within 24 hours of surgery, and is due to either
swallowing blood, or the general anesthetic. This will disappear
on its own. You may treat this by drinking a soft drink such
as ginger ale or soda water, or by taking an over-the-counter
stomach antacid as directed.
-
Smoking: Do
not smoke for one week following surgery.
