To insure rapid healing and to avoid complications that could be both harmful and painful to you, please follow these instructions carefully.

Bleeding

To prevent unnecessary bleeding, maintain gentle pressure over the surgery site(s) by biting on gauze. You have been given a supply of gauze pads. If more are required, they can be purchased at a drug store or supermarket. A tea bag which has been moistened and wrapped in a piece of gauze is also effective. Pressure should be continued for 1-2 hours or until most of the bleeding has stopped. Change the packs every 15-20 minutes or when saturated. It is not unusual to have some slight oozing for up to 24 hours after surgery.

Medications

Unless you already have your medications, pick them up very soon and take as directed. Frequently with oral surgery a long-acting local anesthetic is used —especially if bone was removed. This prevents pain but may also prolong numbness for up to 12-15 hours. Take a pain pill when you first feel discomfort. If you took a sedative medication (such as Valium or Halcion), do not drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.

Eating

It is important to get adequate nutrition after surgery to help the healing process. Just drink liquid food supplements or juices and eat soft foods today. Progress to harder foods as healing progresses. If wisdom teeth were removed, you jaw is temporarily weaker than before surgery. For that reason, you should not chew forcefully for 5-6 weeks. To do otherwise could cause a bone fracture.

Rinsing and Brushing

Do not rinse for the first day after surgery since this could dislodge the blood clot. If teeth were removed, it could lead to dry socket. After 24 hours, rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in 8 oz. Water) 3-4 times a day for 4-5 days. Besides rinsing too soon, other actions that can contribute to dry sockets are smoking, using a straw, alcoholic beverages or rinses containing alcohol  (Scope or Listerine) and carbonated beverages. You should stay away from these things for at least 72 hours.

Ice Packs

To help prevent swelling, ice packs should be applied to the face adjacent to the surgery sites. This is especially important if bone was removed. To the extent possible, apply for periods of 20 minutes on and 5 minutes off until bedtime the day of surgery. Ice is not particularly useful after the first day. With most oral surgery, swelling peaks at about 48 hours and then goes down. Significant swelling beyond this time period could indicate infection. If this occurs, call the dentist.

Postoperative Check-up

The surgery site only needs to be examined if you are experiencing any difficulties or have any concerns. Any sutures placed are dissolvable. Please call if you have any questions.

Unforeseen Complications

If you suspect any problems with healing do not hesitate to call the office or the doctor at home. These telephone numbers are:

• Office: 972-517-6453
• Home: 972-618-6776

Sometimes patients develop allergies to medication , infection (foul taste, unusual or prolonged swelling), and dry sockets (throbbing pain 3-5 days after the procedure). These and other potential problems are treatable if brought to the doctor’s attention.