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FIRST HOUR
Bite down gently, but firmly,
on the gauze that has been placed
over the surgical areas. Do not change
or remove them for the first hour
unless the bleeding is not being controlled.
If active bleeding persists after
one hour, place fresh gauze over the
surgical sites for 30-60 minutes.
The gauze may be changed as necessary
and may be dampened and/or fluffed
for more comfortable positioning.
If the surgical site is no longer
bleeding after the first 3-4 hours,
the gauze may be left out.
OOZING
Intermittent bleeding and oozing is
normal and may persist for up to 24
hours. Placing gauze over the areas
and biting firmly for 30 to 60 minutes
at a time may control it. Just because
the gauze may have blood on it does
not mean your bleeding is severe.
It is not uncommon 2 to 3 days after
surgery to have some blood in your
mouth.
SWELLING
Often there is some swelling associated
with oral surgery. You can minimize
the swelling by using cold packs or
an ice bag wrapped in a towel applied
firmly to the face or cheek adjacent
to the surgical area. These packs
should be applied for the first 12
to 36 hours after surgery. After 36
hours, use moist heat. Swelling
will most likely peak between 48 and
72 hours after surgery.
PAIN
Unfortunately, most oral surgery is
accompanied by some degree of discomfort.
You will usually have a prescription
for pain medication, and if you take
the first pill before the anesthesia
wears off, you should be able to manage
any discomfort better. Effects of
the pain medications vary widely among
each individual. Some people may require
two pain pills at once during early
stages, (but, this may add the risk
of an upset stomach). Remember that
the most severe discomfort is usually
within the first 6 hours after the
anesthesia wears off, after that the
need for pain medication should lessen.
NAUSEA
Nausea is not uncommon after surgery,
but is sometimes caused by strong
pain medications. Proceeding each
pain pill with food and water can
reduce nausea. Carbonated drinks may
help with nausea. If vomiting persists,
please call our office.
DIET
Eat anything that can be consumed
with comfort. You may begin oral intake
as soon as you get home. The temperature
of the food does not matter, but try
to avoid extremely hot foods. It is
sometimes advisable, but not required,
to eat or drink bland liquids or soft
foods for the first few days, (soup,
pudding, smoothies, ice cream, etc.).
Avoid foods such as nuts, sunflower
seeds, popcorn or anything that may
get lodged into the surgical sites.
Over the next few days, you may eat
solid food at your own pace. If you
take nourishment regularly, you will
feel better quicker, gain strength
and heal faster. If you are diabetic,
maintain your normal eating habits
as much as possible and follow the
instructions regarding your insulin
schedule. While we encourage solid
foods and full liquids, if the patient
is unable to tolerate such, fluid
intake is integral. YOU MAY
DRINK THROUGH A STRAW.
SHARP
EDGES
If you feel sharp edges in the surgical
areas, it is probably the bony walls,
which support the teeth or the sutures.
Occasionally, small slivers of bone
may work themselves out of the surgical
areas during the first week or two.
They are not pieces of tooth, but
if necessary, we will remove them.
MOUTH
RINSES
Keep your mouth clean. Warm salt water
should be used to rinse the mouth
out several times during a day. Repeat
as often as you would like, for at
least 5 days.
BRUSHING
Begin your normal hygiene routine
as soon as possible after surgery.
Soreness or swelling may not permit
vigorous brushing of all areas. A
pediatric toothbrush may be used instead
of your regular toothbrush.
SUTURES
(STITCHES)
Often in many oral surgery procedures
dissolvable sutures are used. If so,
they will eventually break and fall
out on the 3rd. to 10th. Day. Other
surgeries will utilize non-resorbable
stitches and these will be taken out
at a scheduled post-operative visit.
In most cases, when sutures fall out,
you should be able to see the socket
from where the tooth was removed.
These sights inevitably open up and
heal from the inside out and bottom
up.
Normal
healing is as follows: The first day
after surgery is usually the most
uncomfortable and there is usually
some degree of swelling and stiffness.
The second day you should be more
comfortable, although still swollen;
you should be able to begin a more
substantial diet. The third day should
include a gradual and steady improvement,
but the swelling may peak this day
and begin to resolve on the 4th or
5th days. Every patient needs to be
seen in our office for a post operative
appointment 7-10 days after surgery.
Feel
free to call our office day or night
with any questions or concerns (225-923-3223).
If
a compressive head wrap has been placed
around the patient's head, disregard
the instructions for using ice.
The wrap takes the place of ice. Do
not remove the gauze placed between
the wrap and the face, only change
the gauze inside the mouth as previously
directed. Do not remove the compressive
head wrap for 72 hours. While
resting or sleeping, it is important
to recover in a "sitting position".
A recliner or several pillows in bed
is ideal. Once the wrap is removed,
you can resume sleeping in a normal
position. This is very important!
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