Home care following oral surgery will hasten recovery and will help prevent complications. Please read and follow these instructions carefully. They will help you to understand the normal reactions following your surgery and will help to keep you as comfortable as possible.

YOU MAY EXPERIENCE the following normal things:


	swelling around the surgical site stiffness of the jaws a slight earache dryness or cracking of lips (keep moist with your choice of ointments) a slight elevation in temperature for the first 2 days bruising on the side of the face. Moist heat compresses after 48 hours will help to resolve this. Sharp, boney edges after tooth extraction. These are not tooth roots and they usually disappear with time.

IF YOU DEVELOP any of the following, please call Dr. Bosack immediately:


	profuse, uncontrollable bleeding any difficulty in breathing hives (new onset of red patches on the skin) severe pain even after taking the pain medicine

Bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. BITE ON THE GAUZE PACK PLACED IN YOUR MOUTH UNTIL YOU GET HOME. If bleeding continues after removing the pack, a fresh gauze pack should be placed DIRECTLY OVER the bleeding area and held with pressure for an additional 30 minutes. MAKE SURE THAT THE GUAZE PRESSES DIRECTING OVER THE BLEEDING AREA and not just “somewhere back there”. Once bleeding stops, the packing may be left out of the mouth.

Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad DIRECTLY OVER THE BLEEDING AREA and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, stay calm, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.

Pain

Discomfort is usually strongest during the first 12 to 24 hours. For severe pain, use the medication prescribed for you. For mild discomfort, Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen should suffice.

If your surgery was extensive, it may be advisable to take your first pain pill before the local anesthetic begins to wear off and BEFORE you have discomfort.

Most pain medications can upset an empty stomach. You can prevent an upset stomach by drinking a milkshake (do not use a straw) and then taking the first dose of pain mediation 15 minutes later.

Do not mix alcohol with any medication.

Activity

Following surgery, allow time for rest. Keep your head and legs slightly elevated.

FOLLOWING GENERAL ANESTHETIC OR I.V. SEDATION in conjunction with your surgery, you should not drive a car or attempt any hazardous task for at least 24 hours. Similar recommendations apply if you are taking pain medication. Smoking should be discontinued for at least 3 days following surgery.

Swelling

If swelling is anticipated, you may be given a reusable ice pack from our office. Alternatively, you can crush some ice, place it in a baggie and intermittently apply to the side of the face for 15 minutes. Ice packs should be continued for the first 24 hours. Be aggressive with this therapy as it can diminish the overall amount of swelling that you will have.

After 48 hours, moist heat may be applied to the face to help diminish the swelling and to help resolve any external bruising that may have occurred.

Rinsing

Do not rinse your mouth until the morning after surgery; then, rinse with salt water (stir in a 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass with warm water) every 4 – 6 hours. You can resume tooth brushing on the next day, but be careful and stay away from the surgical site. DO NOT disturb, suck or touch the site with your fingers or tongue.

Diet

A soft diet with plenty of fluids is recommended after surgery. Avoid hot food and drink, as they tend to stimulate bleeding. A milkshake (without using a straw) is desirable.

Medications

Continue other medications which you may have been routinely taking before your treatment in our office. If antibiotics were prescribed, take as directed. Do not miss a dose, and continue the medication until it is all gone. The usual dosing for most antibiotics is every 6 hours – you can take the pills at noon, 6 pm, before bedtime, and upon awakening, thus avoiding having to get up in the middle of the night. Do not take the antibiotic or pain pill on an empty stomach.

Nausea and Vomiting

Pain medications, general anesthesia, antibiotics and swallowed blood all tend to upset an empty stomach and may provoke nausea and vomiting.

If you feel nauseated or have vomited, please following these instructions


	stop taking the antibiotic and pain pills, if these were prescribed lay down and elevate your legs do not put anything in your stomach for ~ 30 minutes if all is OK after 30 minutes, you can try either Pepto-Bismol™, room-temperature clear carbonated beverage or toast without butter; then resume your prescription medications with food. if nausea or vomiting persists, please call Dr. Bosack

After dental implants

In most cases, the placement of dental implants is not associated with significant discomfort, bleeding or swelling. If you are given an ice pack, use it intermittently (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off) for the first 24 hours. Try not to bite down in the areas where the implants were placed for at least 1 week.