Glacier Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, PC - Pre and Post operative information, Services and Treatment for patients with Oral and Maxillofacial disorders.
Do keep relatively quiet today and have someone with you for most of the day.
Do apply ice bags or cold packs to skin of cheek adjacent to the surgical area(s). This may be applied 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Do bite down gently on moistened gauze packs. Gently remove and replace with new gauze every 20-30 minutes until bleeding stops. Moisten one end of the gauze pack and place over the extraction site. Leave the dry end of the gauze pack hanging out of the mouth to avoid risk of swallowing the pack. Discontinue using gauze packs when there is no further bleeding.
Do drink liquids immediately following surgery. Remove gauze packs to drink and then replace with clean, moistened gauze packs. A liquid diet is necessary until the numbness is gone. Numbness may last up to 8 hours after surgery. Drink directly from a glass or spoon; no straws for 5 days. After the numbness is gone, you may eat a soft diet.
Do take all prescribed medications as directed and take pain medications as needed for pain.
Do brush teeth and gums well beginning 24 hours after surgery and also begin rinsing with salt water (1 cup of warm tap water with 1 tsp. table salt added). Rinse with salt water 4 to 5 times a day until the extraction sites are healed (7 to 10 days).
Do irrigate the lower sockets with warm tap water (use provided syringe) after each meal starting 5 days after surgery. Do not irrigate socket(s) until 5 days after surgery.
Do contact the office if you have any problems, questions or concerns following surgery.
DON'T
Do not brush your teeth, rinse or spit for 24 hours. Do not smoke for at least 5 days.
Do not drive a car, ride a bike or drink alcohol while taking the prescribed pain medications.
Do not take prescribed pain medications on an empty stomach.
Do not replace contact lenses until the day after surgery.
Do not breast feed for up to 12 hours if you were sedated for surgery.
WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT TO DO
Bleeding may continue for several hours and even persist for up to 24 hours after surgery. Maintain gentle pressure at the extraction site by biting on the moistened gauze pack until bleeding stops. If profuse bleeding occurs or if any other problems occur, please call the office.
Some degree of swelling and discomfort is to be expected for 2 to 3 days after surgery. Maximal swelling is expected on the second and third days following surgery.
Most of the time the stitches dissolve on their own.
Eat a normal diet the day after surgery unless instructed otherwise.
If the IV site is tender or bruised, you should apply moist heat (wet cloth) to the area.
If the sinus is entered during surgery, the doctor or assistant will tell you. In that case, please follow instructions, including the following
No nose blowing for two week after surgery.
No blowing of a wind musical instrument for two week after surgery.
Take all prescribed medications as directed.
If you feel air flowing at the extraction site, please call the office.