Instructions After Surgery
- APPLY ICE for the first 24 hours, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
- DO NOT RINSE YOUR MOUTH TODAY. Starting the third day, gently rinse with warm salt water after meals and at bedtime. Use ¼ teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water. Continue rinsing for 7 days. Brush as normal; avoid brushing over the surgical site. If sutures are present they will dissolve over time.
- SOME BLEEDING MAY OCCUR AFTER SURGERY FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WHICH IS NORMAL. Place gauze pads over the surgical area and bite down with pressure for 30 to 45minutes. Repeat if necessary (you have been given more to use). If excessive bleeding continues (when saliva and blood are oozing out faster than you can swallow it), place a
cold, moist tea bag on the area and bite down firmly for an additional 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call our office. - DO NOT SUCK THROUGH A STRAW OR SPIT FOR 3 DAYS. This could cause dislodging of the blood clot and more bleeding from the surgical site.
- NO SMOKING FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS.
- PAIN MEDICATIONS should be taken with food to prevent a stomach upset. Medication for moderate to severe pain may make you drowsy. Therefore, be careful driving or performing physical chores.
- SWELLING may increase for up to 3 days. NSAIDS (like ibuprofen) and ice may help. You may be prescribed steroids by mouth for further reduction of swelling. Muscle stiffness is normal and will resolve over time.
- EAT A SOFT DIET INITIALLY. Fluid intake is very important following surgery. A regular diet can resume as early as 24 hours after surgery. Very hot foods should be avoided on the day of surgery until the local anesthetic wears off. Nausea and vomiting may occur following anesthesia. A clear liquid diet can be followed till the N/V resolves. If symptoms persist call our office.
- TAKE THE FULL AMOUNT OF ANTIBIOTIC MEDICATION, if any is prescribed
- AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY for several days, or as directed by the doctors.
- REMOVAL OF SUTURES (if needed) will be in 7-10 days and usually performed during the postoperative visit. Most often, the sutures are dissolvable and will come out on their own.
- FACIAL BRUISING & NUMBNESS : The face may become blue or yellow after several days, which is the normal discoloration associated with a bruise. This will disappear in a week to ten days. Quite frequently patients will notice a persistent numb sensation following surgery. It is usually temporary in nature; however it is advisable that the numbness be
reported to your oral surgeon.
If you still have questions or concerns, please call the office at 301.694.2300. After hours and on weekends, an on call doctor is available for matters that cannot wait till the next business day.
