WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER MY SURGERY?

DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA: For the next few days, and especially the first 24 hours, it is very important to allow your body to form a good clot and start the natural healing process. Swishing, sucking through straws and smoking can all dislodge the clot. Keep anything sharp from entering the wound (crunchy foods, toothpicks, eating utensils). Be sure to chew on the opposite side for two days. No spitting.
 

BLEEDING: When you leave the office, you may be biting on a gauze pad to control bleeding. Keep slight pressure on this gauze for at least 30 minutes. Remove the gauze after 30 minutes, if very mild bleeding persists, change the gauze and apply mild biting pressure for another 30 minutes. If bleeding continues for more than 24 hours, call our clinic to speak with a doctor.
 

PAIN: Some discomfort is normal after surgery. To minimize pain, take two Tylenol, Panadol, Advil or similar non-aspirin pain reliever tablets every 3-4 hours until bedtime to maintain comfort. Take it before the anesthesia wears off. Taking with food or milk will to help reduce upset stomach. If mild swelling occurs, place a small ice pack on the face for 3 minutes at a time.
 

RINSING: Avoid all vigorous rinsing. Only gentle swishing for 24 hours after extraction. Vigorous rinsing can disturb the formation of a healing blood clot which is essential to proper healing. This could cause bleeding and risk of infection. After 24 hours you may begin gentle rinsing with a sea salt water solution (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt in 1/2 glass of warm water). Use this rinse 3-4 times a day for 1 week. Avoid commercial mouth rinses.
 

NUMBNESS: The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours after you leave the office. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch or scratch the numb area.
 

BRUSHING: Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days.
 

DIET: Eat, soft, warm or cool (NOT very hot or very cold) foods for the first 2 days. Maintain a good, balanced diet. Very hot or very cold foods and drinks increase soreness. Do not perform strenuous physical activity for 24 hours after extraction. This may increase your blood pressure and lead to a ruptured blood clot.
 

REVIEW: It is very important that your doctor reviews your treatment. If you have stitches, please return to remove them at date advised. Even though some stitches are dissolvable, you may still require reviewing.
 

DO NOT SMOKE: Smoking delays healing and could infect the bony socket or surgical site.
 

AVOID alcoholic drinks and any rinse that contains alcohol.