1. If you have had IV sedation, no taking any pain meds until six hours after the time of pick-up. After six hours, please take the hydrocodone with the 600 mg of ibuprofen. They can be taken together.
2. Continue taking 600 mg of ibuprofen for 10 days (four times a day). It will help to alleviate swelling, not just pain. The hydrocodone is only for pain, so use only as needed.
3. We advise that you rest when you are taken home. Once you wake up (after three to fouro hours), you can eat since your numbing will start to wear off. (See below under “Diet” on the foods you can eat.)
4. After eating, replace your gauze pad with another gauze pad.
5. If prescribed, keep or start taking antibiotics until course is finished.
6. Start rinsing with a capful of Peridex (medicated mouth rinse) the night after extraction. Continue doing that for 10 days every morning and night. No colored drinks for 10 days. We advise only white or clear liquids for 10 days.
7. Please DO NOT spit or drink from a straw for seven days. The pressure from both of them will cause the site to bleed more.
Your follow-up appointment will be scheduled approximately 10 days after your surgical extraction.
DIET: Eat soft foods (nothing crunchy) until 10 days. Avoid all nuts, seeds, chips and popcorn! Do not use a straw for seven days after surgery. Avoid alcohol (including mouth rinses) and carbonated beverages for the first seven days. It is advisable to limit the first day of intake to pureed foods (soups, puddings, mashed potatoes, milk shakes, etc.). Your diet may progress as comfortable or as directed at the time of your surgery. Eat and drink — you will feel better quicker! Diabetics should maintain normal eating and medication routine following surgery. Do not drink out of a straw for 48 hours.
FIRST HOUR: Do not drink hot liquids or chew food while you are numb. Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze that has been placed over the surgical areas. The gauze should remain in place 30 to 45 minutes without changing regardless of the saturation. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 to 45 minutes. If it continues to bleed, please call us immediately. Oozing is considered normal for a few days. For wisdom teeth extraction, it is normal for bleeding to continue for two to three days. Helpful Hint: Limit talking and enjoy the peace and quiet! The micro movement of your mouth while speaking makes it harder for youto heal.
MOUTH RINSING: Keeping your mouth clean following oral surgery is essential. Use warm salt water starting the day after treatment before and after meals. Salt water may be used by mixing approximately one-fourth teaspoon salt into a glass of warm water. Gently rinse with the salt water and repeat as often as you like. Please do not excessively swish. Dislodging the blood clot from your wound is the cause of a dry socket. Do not use mouth rinses that have alcohol (Scope, Listerine, etc.).
FEVER: Fever is expected following any type of surgery. It is your body’s response to begin the healing process. Fevers are not always a sign of infection.
ORAL HYGIENE: Do not disturb the surgical area the day of extraction. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush your teeth gently starting the morning after surgery. Do NOT floss a surgical area for six weeks unless directed by the doctor. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least seven days. Smoking is detrimental to healing. Smoking is also the greatest cause of dry sockets.
SWELLING: It takes approximately 48 hours for swelling to reach a peak. Thereafter, improvement should be noticed. Swelling may be minimized by alternating hot and cold packs for the first 10 days with the first day only using cold packs. This will provide benefit only during the first 24 hours. Take 800 mg of ibuprofen every six hours for 10 days (four times a day). Note: Used to alleviate swelling, not pain.
PAIN: Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced. Bread or dairy products work best. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you anticipate needing more medication for the evening or weekend, please call for a refill during weekday business hours. Pain medication refills are not given during the evening hours or weekends due to the excessive nature of abuse. Your comfort and well-being is our greatest desire. We are better suited to assist you during office hours.
NAUSEA: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery and may be caused by the prescribed medication. Nausea may be reduced by preceding each pill with a small amount of food and a large amount of fluids. Please continue to maintain your fluid and food intake; you will feel much better sooner.
SHARP EDGES NEAR SURGICAL SITES: Sharp areas are not uncommon. The bone often splinters as wood does. Your body should take care of this in a natural manner. If the area is painful or does not resolve, please call the office. Occasionally, small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following weeks.
If you have a denture, wear it so that we can see if it is fitting well and know how to adjust it.
If prescribed, keep taking antibiotics until course is finished.
Call us at (469) 362-3150 if you have any questions.
