We are committed to providing the same quality of care following procedures that began during your initial visit. To that end, please refer to some general postoperative guidelines below, and by all means, CALL at any hour of any day to report any continuing problem.

THE DAY OF SURGERY

1. You may begin to take the prescribed severe pain medicine, as directed by your doctor to alleviate discomfort once the anesthesia looses its effect, but only in small doses and only after eating some food. Any pain medications can cause nausea and vomiting. It is very important that you have some food in your stomach before you take them.
2. DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA OF SURGERY. The first stages of healing are aided by placing tissues at rest. Avoid vigorous chewing, excessive spitting, or rinsing and keep your tongue and fingers away from the surgical site as initial healing may be delayed, active bleeding restarted, or infection introduced.
3. Expect minor bleeding or OOZING from the operative site. This bleeding may continue throughout the first day. For the first hour, keep firm pressure on the area of surgery by biting on the gauze sponge placed in your mouth at the office. However, if bleeding persists, continue pressure on fresh folded gauze for an additional 30 minutes to an hour. Biting on a moist tea bag wrapped in gauze may help control persistent oozing from the surgical site. Tea has an ingredient that promotes blood clotting.
   If active bleeding should recur at any time, carefully rinse your mouth with cold water and apply a fresh gauze sponge to the bleeding site. Firm pressure for 15-30 minutes usually controls the problem. Should active bleeding persist, please call the office.
4. LIMIT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY during the first 24-48 hours after surgery. Over exertion may lead to postoperative bleeding and discomfort. When you lie down, keep your head elevated on a pillow.
   
5. PAIN FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY will be most severe within the first 6-8 hours after the operation. To limit the amount of pain, you should take Motrin 800 mg or Advil before the numbness wears off. If you have to take the prescribed severe pain medication, remember to have some food intake prior to that and to start slowly. Please do not drink alcoholic beverages while taking prescription pain medication. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable before using some form of pain medication, as then it will be more difficult to control. Moderate to severe pain usually does not last longer than 24-48 hours, and there should be no more than the slight pain or discomfort after the third day. Persistent or increasing pain 3-4 days following oral surgery may be caused by early loss of the blood clot (dry socket) or infection. If you feel that this may be happening to you, please contact us so that we can help make you more comfortable.
6. SWELLING RELATED TO THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE usually develops during the first 12-24 hours following surgery, often increasing on the second day. It should begin to subside by the third day. Swelling can be minimized a great deal by wearing an ice pack on the side of your face for 30 minutes on, 30 minutes off immediately following the procedure. If in ice pack is unavailable or if it melts, fill a durable plastic bag with crushed ice. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as Motrin or Advil, also help decrease swelling.
7. FLUID INTAKE IS IMPORTANT. You should start with clear carbonated beverages, such as ginger ale, Seven-Up, or Sprite. Once your stomach has settled, you can advance to other fluids such as water, teas, soda, broth, soups, or juices. I suggest avoiding dairy products initially, such as milk, milk shakes, and egg nogs. Also avoid hot liquids until the numbness has worn off, and the bleeding has stopped. It is important to drink all the fluids you desire and to drink plenty of fluids.
8. AVOID USING A STRAW FOR SEVERAL DAYS as it may cause the blood clot to dislodge and delay healing.
9. FOOD SELECTION is largely a matter of your choice. Soft, cool foods that require little or no chewing are most easily tolerated at this time (Avoid nuts, rice, seeds, etc). A nutritious diet throughout your healing process is most important to your comfort and temperament. Hungry people become irritable and less able to deal with discomfort which can follow surgery. Since you will be taking medication, it is important to remember that eating can prevent nausea sometimes associated with certain medications. Once your stomach is settled, soups, broiled fish, stewed chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and cooked vegetables can be added to your diet as your comfort indicates. Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast and/or yogurt supply excellent added nutrition.
10. Take any special medication such as ANTIBIOTICS we have prescribed on the specified dosing schedule. Yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus should be taken while on antibiotics to prevent diarrhea. It is important to take the antibiotics to completion. If you are given antibiotics and take birth control pills, you should be aware that the birth control pill may become ineffective, therefore take appropriate precautions.
11. Take any regularly scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule unless advised to do otherwise.
12. TRY TO AVOID SMOKING COMPLETELY, as it tends to slow the healing process and may also contribute to development of a dry socket.
13. DO NOT DRIVE AN AUTOMOBILE for 24 hours following surgery if you have had intravenous sedation, or if you are taking prescription pain medication.
14. IF YOU WERE INFORMED THAT A SINUS COMMUNICATION OCCURRED DURING SURGERY, as a result of the close relationship between the roots of your upper teeth and your sinuses, or if you have had some surgery that involved work near your sinuses or in your sinuses, please follow these instructions:

DO NOT blow your nose.

DO NOT sneeze through your nose. If the urge to sneeze arises, sneeze with your mouth open.

DO NOT smoke or use a straw.

AVOID swimming and strenuous exercise for at least one week.

It is not uncommon to have a slight amount of bleeding from the nose for several days.

Please remember that occasionally a second procedure may be required if there is a persistent sinus communication.