Post-Operative Care
What to expect:
Certain tissue responses ALWAYS follow
surgical procedure. Oral surgery, be it simple tooth
extraction or more complicated, is a surgical procedure
and the following responses can be expected.
1. SWELLING: Swelling will vary from
slight to extreme puffiness. There is no way to predict
the amount you will have. Usually fair-skinned people
experience more swelling. Maximum swelling is in 2-3
days and should recede afterwards.
2. TRISMUS: The muscles that control
your mouth are directly involved with impacted teeth.
They are very often divided or reflected to gain access
to the surgical areas. Of course, they will be sore
and may not function properly for several days.
3. PARESTHESIA: The nerves that supply
the lower jaw, lips, gums, tongue, and teeth pass through
the surgical area. They are sometimes disrupted by the
surgery or by the local anesthesia needle. In most instances
this is only a minor nuisance and will disappear in
a few days or a week. On rare occasions this may persist
for a month or longer.
4. SWALLOWING: You will experience some
difficulty in swallowing. This is transient and will
disappear in a few days.
5. BRUISING: Some bruising on your face
may be visible. This is due to leaking of blood into
the tissue space. Discoloration will range from blue
to a yellowish green and will persist for about a week.
The discoloration may "gravitate" to areas
below the surgery.
6. DISCOMFORT: Any injury to the body
causes discomfort. It may vary from minimal to extreme
discomfort depending upon the individual patient and
the extent of surgery.
7. MALAISE: It is normal for you to
feel poorly for a few days after surgery and/or while
taking medication for pain.
8. FEVER: A temperature of 101°F
may occur during the first two or three days. It normally
responds to two aspirin or two Tylenol every four hours.
Make sure your fluid intake is high.
9. DRY SOCKET: Sometimes the body will
not properly nourish the blood clot in a tooth socket.
The clot will then disintegrate and wash out. This leaves
the bone uncovered and becomes very painful. Should
this happen to you, you will begin to notice on about
the 4th post-operative day that you feel worse and not
better. The pain will frequently occur in your ear.
If this happens, please call the office so we can help
you.
Things for you to do:
Generally speaking. YOU MAY DO ANYTHING
THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WHILE DOING. IF ANY ACTIVITY
MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE... STOP!
1. BLEEDING: When you leave the office,
you will be biting into a gauze pad that has been placed
over the surgical area. MAINTAIN CONSTANT PRESSURE OVER
THE PAD FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR. DO NOT DISTURB. THIS A
SURGICAL DRESSING. If, after removal, active bleeding
continues, replace this pack with a fresh one and continue
to maintain pressure for another hour. Repeat this cycle
till the bleeding stops. If you use all the gauze before
the bleeding stops, you may use a moist tea bag as you
would the gauze. Expect slight oozing for 72 hours.
2. DISCOMFORT: This is an extremely
variable problem. The usual discomfort is experienced
for about two to three hours after surgery; it may be
severe. Pain medication has been prescribed, and it
is suggested that you start taking the medication before
the local anesthesia wears off. DO NOT OVERDOSE. Discomfort
the following day should not be as intense. Soreness
will be your chief complaint. Headache the next day
is common.
3.DIET: Eat anything that you can chew
or swallow with comfort. YOU MUST KEEP YOURSELF WELL
NOURISHED. Milk products may cause nausea, but warm
broths, soups, soft drinks or Gator Aide will usually
make you feel better.
4. MOUTH CARE: Do not forcefully rinse
your mouth for twenty-four hours. This will often cause
clot breakdown and continued bleeding. In twenty-four
hours you may begin active mouth soaks with warm, mild
salt solution. Do not pump water around in your mouth;
just let it soak The more this is done, the better you
will feel. You may brush your teeth by using an extremely
soft-bristled brush.
5. NAUSEA: This is usually due to not
eating or taking too much pain medication. If you were
given an anti-nausea medicine and it is not working,
please call.
6. SUTURES: If stitches have been placed
in your mouth, they should be removed in four to seven
days. If they fall out in twenty-four hours, do not
be alarmed. You will be given an appointment for you
post-operative visit.
7. SORE ARM: Sometimes the medications
given into the vein in you arm will cause the vein to
be sore and feel hard. If this happens, place a hot,
wet towel over the area for 30 minutes three times a
day.
8. WORKING, DRIVING, ETC.: You will
need to use good judgment concerning whether to return
to work, to drive, or to manage anything complicated.
The pain medication and the results of the surgery may
interfere with your judgment. If you are feeling poorly
or can notice that you are affected by the medications,
stay home and take care of yourself. Hair washing can
be done any time you desire.
We hope your recovery is an easy one
and sincerely desire to help you any way we can. If
you have any questions or concerns please feel free
to call our office.
