Anesthesia Post Operative Instructions

For Pre Operative Instructions , click here.

Medications

Patients taking medications to relieve pain or other drugs that may impair reflexes should not operate machinery, cars, etc., while taking these drugs. Antibiotics should be taken as directed until the prescription runs out. Antibiotics may impair the efficacy of oral contraceptives for the duration of the present cycle.

Extractions & Impactions

1. Bleeding

a. A certain amount of bleeding is expected and the saliva may be tinged for 24 to 48 hours. Firm gauze should be maintained on the extraction sockets for three hours after the extraction. If bleeding is persistent, it should be controlled by placing a piece of sterile gauze or a moist teabag over the wound and biting on it for 1 hour. Repeat if necessary. Do not rinse your mouth. It is important that the gauze be placed directly over the site where the tooth was removed and not over the adjacent teeth. The gauze must be bulky enough to prevent the upper and lower teeth from meeting when biting firmly.

b. If bleeding persists after proceeding as above, examine the surgical site for an extruded clot. This is a mass of dark colored rubbery material which projects from the surgical site and may extend along adjacent teeth. If this is present, remove all of it by wiping the area with a piece of dry gauze. Then rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water to remove any further remnant of extruded clot. Proceed again as in part 1.a.

2. Pain

This can be controlled by taking 2 Ibuprofen or Tylenol capsules every 3-4 hours if necessary. You have been given a prescription for relief of pain. Use this prescription as directed. The pain medication should be taken with some food. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

3. Swelling

Apply ice to face in the area of the surgery for a period of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first 36 hours after surgery, while awake. Swelling is not uncommon after surgery. It is usually maximal within 48 hours and may last several days thereafter. Discoloration of the skin of the face and neck may occur within 10 days following surgery and should be no cause for alarm.

4. Mouth Rinse

Do not rinse the mouth within 24 hours after surgery. After this time use one half teaspoon of salt plus two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide in a glass of warm water and rinse gently after meals. Patients who have had impacted teeth removed, should rinse after eating for approximately six weeks.

5. Diet

Cold, soft and bland foods are advisable for the first 34 hours. Good nutrition post-surgery is essential. Do not use a straw for drinking. Smoking can delay healing. Avoid peanuts and other hard foods for 4 weeks.

6.Hygiene

Continued proper oral hygiene is imperative. Normal care should be maintained, but the surgical area should be excluded from care involved when brushing, flossing, dental irrigation appliances, etc. until advised.

7. Exercise

It will be beneficial to exercise your jaw by chewing sugarless gum starting 24 hours after the extraction and lasting for approximately one week.

8. Fever

A low-grade fever may occur following surgery for 2 to 3 days and should be no cause for alarm.

9. In Case of Unusual Disturbance

Call this office promptly. When calling after hours, please allow time for the answering service to pick up your call. Incision and Drainage

1. Rinse mouth 3 to 4 time per day with one half teaspoon of table salt and 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in glass of warm water and start rinsing immediately after surgery.

2. Do not apply ice to face.

3. If the drain inserted falls out or extrudes, do not become alarmed. This is normal.

4. You may be aware of drainage from the incision for a few days after surgery.

5. Pain, diet, hygiene, fever, unusual disturbance – see instruction for impactions and extractions.

Apicoectomy, Root Resection and Soft Tissue Surgery

1. Bleeding – A certain amount of bleeding is expected, and the saliva may be blood tinged for up to 48 hours. If bleeding persists it can be controlled by placing a piece of gauze on the surgical site and press-on for about 15 minutes. Repeat if necessary

2. Pain and Swelling – See instruction for impactions and extractions.

3. Mouth Rinse – Hygiene, Pain, Diet, Fever, Unusual Disturbance – See instructions for impacting and extractions.

Sinus Cases

1. Do not blow nose. Wipe nose if necessary.

2. If you sneeze, keep you r mouth and nose open and do not pinch off your nostrils.

3. No swimming, diving or smoking until instructed otherwise.

4. You may have a small amount of blood coming from your nose. Try not to become alarmed and just wipe it away.

5. Keep you nose clear with nasal spray, pill and / or drops (as prescribed).

6. Mouth Rinse, Hygiene, Pain, Diet, Fever, Bleeding, Unusual Disturbance – See Instructions for Impactions and Extractions.