Post-Operative Instructions


Rapid and satisfactory recovery from oral operations may depend to a large extent upon the patient's after-care of the mouth. In some cases, little care may be necessary. Following the more extensive and severe operations, it is particularly important that instructions be observed.

**Please do not use a straw or smoke for 5 days following surgery.

1. HEMORRHAGE CONTROL: A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected. Oozing may occur for several days. Wipe the blood from the mouth and the wound. Place a roll of gauze or wet tea bag directly over the surgical area an bite firmly for 30 minutes with CONSTANT PRESSURE. Repeat as necessary. (For nose bleed use Afrin or Neo-Synephrine nose drops or spray.)A sitting position is better than lying flat. Please do not use a straw or smoke for 24 hours.

2. PAIN CONTROL: Swelling and some after-pain may be expected. Take two tablets of your regular non-prescription pain pills every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. Tylenol is preferred as it does not promote bleeding, but if you have no allergy to aspirin, you may take it or Advil. If you have been given a prescription for pain control, have the prescription filled and used as directed if needed. Eat before taking pain medication. PLEASE CALL DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR PRESCRIPTION REFILLS. MANY PHARMACIES ARE CLOSED EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS.

3. SWELLING: Some swelling may be expected for 3 to 5 days. Most of the swelling may appear on the 2nd and 3rd day after surgery.Apply an ice pack to the jaw immediately upon your return home. Continue intermittently for 1-2 days. Bags of frozen peas work well as ice.

4. DIET: Foods may be any that can be chewed and successfully swallowed. Soft or liquid foods are useful at first. An adequate diet is necessary for proper heating. Hot foods or hot liquids may cause bleeding on the first day. AFTER REMOVAL OF DEEPLY IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH AVOID HARD FOODS LIKE POPCORN, CARROTS, CORN NUTS ETC. FOR 6-8 WEEKS OR JAW MAY FRACTURE MAY RESULT.

5. NAUSEA: One ounce of carbonated water, every hour for 5 to 8 hours will usually terminate nausea. Follow this with mild tea or clear soup, etc.

6. ORAL HYGIENE: The day following surgery, the mouth may be rinsed gently with warm salt water solution (1⁄2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) after each meal and at bed time. The teeth should be brushed, but avoid the site of surgery. DO NOT USE SYRINGE FOR 10 DAYS AFTER SURGERY.

7. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE REMOVAL OF IMPACTED TEETH OR OTHER BONE SURGERY: The removal of impacted wisdom teeth is quite different from the removal of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal: a) Your face (jaws and cheeks) will swell for 3 to 5 days. b) The swelling area may become quite large on the 2nd and 3rd day after surgery. c) Trismus (tightness) of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening the mouth. d) You may have a slight earache. e) A sore throat may develop. f.) Numbness about the corner of the mouth or tongue, on the side from which the tooth was removed may develop. This is called "parenthesis" and it is usually a temporary condition. g) Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This we refer to as sympathetic pain and it is a temporary condition. h) The corners of the mouth may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment. i) There will be a cavity where the tooth was removed. TOTAL BONE HEALING TAKES 3 to 6 MONTHS. j) If you were given a plastic irrigation syringe, after 10 days use daily for lower sockets. Fill syringe with warm water. Place tip into socket and gently flush area out. Use until area has healed over. This cavity will gradually heal over with new gum tissue over a period of 3 to 6 weeks. k) There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If temperature continues to increase, notify us.

8. SINUS: If you were given sinus precautions do not blow nose for 2 weeks. Use afrin or Neo-Synephrine nose drops or spray for 3 to 5 days for nasal congestion. If when drinking you experience fluid from the mouth coming out your nose or feel air from your nose coming out the socket - PLEASE RETURN TO THE OFFICE FOR OBSERVATION.

9. PRESCRIPTIONS: If given a prescription for an antibiotic, take all the prescription. Stop if diarrhea, rash or general swelling (other than in surgical area) occurs. PLEASE CALL IF THIS OCCURS.
WOMEN - PLEASE NOTE. If you are taking birth control pills and were prescribed antibiotics, please use alternative birth control methods for the duration of your current cycle. Pregnancy has been reported in women on birth control pills who are taking antibiotics.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SURGERY, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.

IF YOU HAVE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY AT NIGHT OR OVER THE WEEKEND (EXCESSIVE BLEEDING, DRUG REACTION, ETC.) CALL 425-483-1986 OR GO DIRECTLY TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF EVERGREEN HOSPITAL WHERE PHYSICIANS ARE ON 24- HOUR DUTY.