General Instructions Following Oral Surgery

Hygiene

Carefully follow all guidelines provided by the doctor and their staff, and most importantly practice good oral hygiene. Use care when brushing and flossing in the treated area. If prescribed, a warm salt water rinse, approximately one teaspoon in an eight ounce glass of water, three times a day can be used to help cleanse the area.

Diet

Please follow any dietary guidelines provided after treatment. Do not eat or chew until any numbness from anesthesia has worn off. Do not chew on hard, sticky or chewy foods for a least 24 hours. Never chew on ice. Avoid aggressive chewing and sticky foods that can loosen or damage a restoration.

After surgical procedures, do not suck on a straw, brush, rinse, spit, or smoke for 24 hours. Avoid hot and spicy foods, carbonated and alcoholic beverages. During the first few days after surgery restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods such as soups, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, juice and smoothies.

Medications

If any prescriptions were given, please have them filled promptly and take them as directed. If no prescriptions were given and you are not allergic, you can take over the counter pain medication as directed by your doctor.

If you have been prescribed pain medication besides aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), do not drive, operate heavy equipment, work around machinery or tools or engage in any other activity that may be unsafe when groggy, as your reflexes and judgment will be affected by the medication. Medication should not be taken on an empty stomach. If you are unable to achieve adequate pain control, please call our office.

If you have been placed on antibiotics, please take all the medicine as directed. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infection and are necessary for complete healing.

Swelling

If you experience swelling after your treatment, you may find using an ice pack to the affected area helpful. Please do not apply ice directly to the skin; have a cloth between the ice and skin at all times. You may apply the ice for up to 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the next 6-8 hours as needed. If the swelling continues or increases, please call our office.

Bleeding

After some procedures, a certain amount of bleeding is normal. If you leave our office with a dental dressing in place, keep the gauze pad placed over the surgical area with pressure applied by biting down until the bleeding stops. A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following a surgical procedure. Placing the gauze pad over the area and biting firmly may control excessive bleeding. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Repeat as necessary within a one-hour period following surgery. If bleeding continues or becomes excessive, please call our office.

Please call our office if you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding or swelling, or if you have any questions or concerns. In the event of an emergency, please call our office. If you are experiencing a serious or life threatening emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.