Post-Operative Instructions (Office Surgery)
QUICK LINKS
Introduction
Extraction of teeth and other oral surgery are serious surgical procedures. Postoperative care is very important. Careful attention to the following instructions will help prevent complications, minimize discomfort, and promote proper healing.
Keep The Mouth Clean
Beginning the day after surgery, begin gently rinsing. You can use warm salt water, diluted mouthwash or simply water. Tooth brushing can resume the day after surgery as well. Avoid the areas of surgery and use a soft toothbrush. As healing progresses, normal brushing techniques may be resumed.
Bleeding
Gauze pressure is the most effective way to control bleeding. When you leave the office you will most likely be biting on a piece of gauze. This piece should be left in place for at least 30 minutes before removing it. After 30 minutes, the gauze should be removed. It is common to have slight bleeding or oozing for several days. If heavy bleeding continues, replace the gauze with a fresh folded piece. Be sure of proper placement of the gauze over the site of bleeding. Leave this piece in place under steady pressure, undisturbed for one hour. Resting, with the head elevated on a couple of pillows, is also helpful. Do not get excited. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.
No spitting, sucking on straws or vigorous rinsing for 24 hours. This may cause persistent bleeding or dislodge the clot. Smokers should be aware that smoking could impair healing. It is recommended that patients recovering from oral surgery should no longer smoke.
Pain
The local anesthetic wears off in one to three hours. Some form of pain reliever should be taken before the numbness goes away. Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is usually adequate. For more involved surgery, such as removal of impacted teeth, the doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers. Take these medications as prescribed. Do not drive or operate machinery while on this medication.
Antibiotics
If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take all of the medication as directed. This drug is meant to treat or prevent infection.
If you experience any adverse reaction to the medication, such as nausea, rash or itching, discontinue the medication. A rash or itching may indicate an allergic reaction to a medication. Antihistamines (Benadryl) will usually counteract the hives, rash, and itching. Swelling of the lips, tongue or difficulty breathing may represent a more severe allergic reaction and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Sutures
In most cases dissolvable sutures are used. These sutures will come out on their own in 2 days to 2 weeks. If any sutures are bothering you, or you have concerns regarding your sutures, please contact the office during normal office hours. If the surgeon elects to use sutures that require removal, we will schedule a return appointment for you.
Discoloration
You may develop black, blue, green or yellow discoloration resembling a bruise to the tissue. This is due to a slight oozing of blood beneath the tissue and is of little significance. This is a normal postoperative event and will resolve in a few days to a week.
Swelling
Swelling is common with oral surgery. It usually takes 48 hours for swelling to peak. The use of ice packs to the side of the jaw, where the surgery was, may help prevent swelling. The ice packs should be used regularly, 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours, heat can be applied to the swollen area to speed the reduction of the swelling. Heating pads, hot water bottles and warm washcloths are all acceptable heat sources. If swelling continues to increase in size after 3 days, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Diet
After the local anesthetic (numbness) has worn off, you may eat anything soft you wish by chewing in an unoperated area. A high calorie, high protein diet is important for rapid healing. Soft nutritious foods such as soft boiled eggs, chopped meats, custards, Jell-O, pudding, thick soups, milk, milkshakes or liquid dietary supplements are examples of acceptable foods. Nourishment should be taken regularly. Try no to miss a single meal. You will feel better, have more strength, have less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat.
Impacted or Buried Teeth
After the removal of impacted teeth, it is possible to encounter any one of the following:
- Jaw Stiffness: This will resolve in one to two weeks with healing and increased use of the jaw.
- Numbness: of the lower lip, chin, tongue and gum tissue. This is almost always a temporary condition. It may last for a few days or many months. Contact the office if this condition persists for more than a week.
- Shifting of Teeth: Teeth adjacent to the extraction site may shift slightly causing some discomfort. This is usually temporary and will resolve itself.
- Irritation: Sores or cracking of the lips and corners of the mouth. This is due to chapped lips or stretching of the lips during surgery. It is best treated by keeping the lips well lubricated with a mild ointment.
- Sharp bony edges: Occasionally patients will detect hard substances with their tongue in the area of the extraction. This is the bony wall that surrounded the tooth. In most case this is a temporary condition: contact the office if it persists.
- Dry sockets: This term refers to a condition which may arise after the removal of teeth. Symptoms include a throbbing, radiating pain. This pain may travel to the ear, jaw, teeth, head or throat. This condition will resolve without treatment, however, the pain can be managed through the use of pain relievers and/or with medicated dressings placed in the extraction socket. If you think you may have this condition, please call the office so that we can help you.
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions or concerns, at any time, please contact us. If you have an after- hours post-operative emergency please call the office. The surgeon on call will be contacted through the answering service. If you do not receive a response within thirty (30) minutes, please call again. If you are unsuccessful in reaching the answering service, try the other office numbers.
Ann Arbor (734) 769-5302
Plymouth (734) 459-0326
Adrian (517) 265-8051
Prescription refills and general questions are best handled through the office during normal office hours. (Monday-Friday 8am- 5pm)
