Post-Op Instructions

Special consideration must be given to wounds of the mouth following removal of teeth or other surgery of the mouth and jaws. Proper home treatment is exceedingly important, and our interest in your case does not stop with the completion of the operation. If any difficulty is encountered during your recovery, do not hesitate to call the office/emergency line or return for evaluation.

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IF YOU UNDERWENT SEDATION:

  • Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours
  • Do not consume alcohol, tranquilizers, sleep aids, or non-prescribed medications for 24 hours
  • Do not make any important decisions or sign any important documents for 24 hours
  • Have someone stay with you at home for 24 hours

ACTIVITY:

  • Limit activity and get plenty of rest on the day of surgery. Resume light to normal activity within the next few days as tolerated
  • Avoid heavy lifting, bending over, excessive physical exertion, and strenuous exercise for the first few days following surgery
  • Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks. Smoking will compromise healing and increase risk for both dry socket and infection

DIET AND FLUIDS:

  • Follow a soft diet for the first 24-48 hours and gradually return to a regular diet as tolerated
  • Soft diet may include soups, smoothies, ice cream, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, noodles, yogurt, Jell-O, pudding, cottage cheese, applesauce, cooked vegetables, etc.
  • Avoid hot foods and beverages for the first 24 hours
  • Avoid hard, chewy, crunchy, grainy, seedy, and spicy foods for 1 week
  • Avoid carbonated beverages (soda, sparkling water, beer, etc.) for 1 week

MEDICATIONS:

  • Resume your daily medication schedule according to your physician’s instructions
  • Medications prescribed by this office should be taken as advised by your surgeon
  • If any questions or problems arise with the taking of medications prescribed by this office,
    please call the office/emergency line for assistance

BLEEDING:

  • Intermittent bleeding or oozing for the first 24 hours after surgery is normal
  • Apply gauze with firm pressure to operative site for 20-30 min at a time to control bleeding
  • If gauze is saturated upon removal, apply new gauze or bite down firmly on a moist tea bag every 20-30 minutes until bleeding stops
  • Do not eat or sleep with gauze in your mouth
  • If bleeding persists and cannot be controlled, call office/emergency line for assistance

PAIN CONTROL:

  • Take pain medications as prescribed and directed by your surgeon
  • Do not take medication on an empty stomach
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking pain medications

SWELLING:

  • Facial swelling and/or bruising after surgery is normal
  • Swelling most commonly peaks 3-4 days after surgery and may persist up to 7-10 days
  • Apply ice packs for 20 min every hour while awake for first 24-48 hours to control swelling
  • If swelling persists after 48 hours, apply warm compresses for 20-min intervals each hour
  • Rest with head elevated by extra pillows to minimize swelling while sleeping

ORAL HYGIENE:

  • Rinse mouth gently with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt in half glass of water) every 4-6 hours or Peridex as prescribed beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing for 1-2 weeks
  • Brush teeth with soft bristled toothbrush, being careful and gentle around surgical site
  • Clean implant healing cap with a Q-tip dipped in Peridex twice per day for 1-2 weeks

SINUS PRECAUTIONS:

  • Do not blow nose for 3 weeks following surgery. If it runs, allow it to drip and then wipe.
  • Sneeze or cough with mouth open to ease pressure on sinuses
  • Control stuffy/runny nose symptoms with over-the-counter decongestant medications
  • Avoid heavy lifting and bending over
  • Do not smoke or use straws for at least 2 weeks after surgery

CONTACT OFFICE/EMERGENCY LINE IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:

  • Profuse and persistent bleeding
  • Concern for allergic reaction (rash, sudden swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing)
  • Signs of infection (late onset pain and swelling, drainage/pus, temperature exceeding 101°F)
  • Numbness of face or mouth persisting longer than 24 hours in duration

CONTACT 24-HOUR EMERGENCY LINE WITH QUESTIONS/CONCERNS AT Warren / Sterling Heights Office Phone Number 586-755-9340