Surgery Instructions

-Always continue your normal medications prescribed for medical conditions unless directed otherwise. 

-You can eat and drink as normal.

-Asthmatic? Bring your inhaler and/ or rescue inhaler. 

-If you develop a cough, cold, chest congestion or become ill, call our office to discuss these symptoms.

-You may not have anything to eat or drink after midnight (not even water) prior to your appointment. 

-Sips of water are ok to take medications or to moisten the mouth and lips

-Do not drive your car on the day of surgery. You must have a person 18 years or older drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery. A cab driver does not qualify.

-Do not wear contact lenses to your appointment.

-Wear loose fitting sleeves that can be drawn above the elbow easily or a short sleeve shirt.

We are not responsible for electronics / phones/ jewelry/ valuables / keys.  Leave them with your escort. 

Dry Socket can occur after any tooth removal. A dry socket occurs when there is loss of a blood clot from the socket leaving exposed bone. This typically results in constant pain that may radiate to other areas including ear, jaw, and other teeth. Symptoms usually occur between five to seven days after the procedure. If OTC Tylenol and Ibuprofen no longer help with pain, then that is an indication of a dry socket. 

 To help prevent vent dry socket avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, using a straw, smoking, vaping and exercising for four days after the procedure. 

Bleeding after surgery can occur off and on for up to 24 hours, however most bleeding resolves within a couple hours after the procedure. If bleeding occurs, check and change gauze every 45 minutes and rest with your head elevated. If there is excessive bleeding, wrap a moistened teabag with gauze and bite down with firm pressure. 

Swelling is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and healing. Swelling can start the next day and reach its peak 2-3 days after surgery. After this time, the swelling should decrease but may persist for 7-10 days. Swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs the day of and the day after surgery. Apply the ice packs to the outside of the face for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off. After 48 hours, use a warm, moist compress to the cheek. Bruising is also normal after a procedure.

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. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration. 

Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. If you do not have an allergy to over the counter pain medications like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, we recommend taking one of these prior to local anesthetic wearing off. More severe pain may require a narcotic pain medication that will be determined and prescribed by your surgeon. Please follow as directed by your pharmacist. It is best to take your medication with food.

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.

The best way to prevent infection and ensure healing is to keep your mouth clean. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste after meals and at bedtime. Begin using the water syringe provided 24 hours after surgery to gently flush out debris that gathered in the extraction sockets. It is normal to have some bleeding after brushing. 

Sometimes sutures are placed in the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sutures will resorb or fall out when ready, usually around day five after surgery.

-Water

-Juice

-Popsicles

-Applesauce

-Jello

-Pudding

-Yogurt

-Pasta

-Eggs

-Mashed Potatoes

-Soup

-Avoid usually a straw or vigorously spitting after surgery.

-Do not smoke for 48 hours after surgery. This will interfere with healing.

-No heavy bending or lifting, exercise or sports for four days after surgery.  

-If numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue occurs there is no cause for alarm. As reviewed in your consultation, this is usually temporary, this sensation usually returns within a couple days to a month after surgery.  You should be aware that if your lip or tongue is numb, you could bite it and not feel the sensation. 

-Slight elevation of temperature immediately following surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, notify the office. Tylenol or ibuprofen should be taken to reduce the fever.

-Occasionally, patients may feel hard projections in the mouth with their tongue. They are not roots; they are the bony walls which supported the tooth. These projections usually smooth out spontaneously.

-Stiffness (Trismus) of the jaw muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days following surgery. This is a normal post-operative event which will resolve in time.

- There will be a void where the tooth was removed. The void will fill in with new tissue gradually over the next month. In the meantime, the area should be kept clean, especially after meals, with saltwater rinses or a toothbrush.

Reminder: Your case is unique; no two mouths are alike. Please contact our office at 920-471-0022 if you have any further questions.