Oral Surgery Post-Operative Instructions


DO’S

DO place moistened gauze, towel, or tea bag directly over the areas of bleeding or extraction sites and bite down firmly for 1 to 2 hours without stopping. Repeat this as needed. If bleeding continues while the gauze is in place, then you do not have the gauze positioned correctly over the surgical site and/or you are not biting down firmly enough. It is normal to have oozing on and off for a few days. Sutures will dissolve or fall out in 2 days to 2 weeks. Avoid swallowing blood as this can upset your stomach.

DO apply ice packs to the face for one or two days to help reduce swelling and pain.

DO drink plenty of fluids after the bleeding slows down.

DO eat soft foods, as tolerated, such as gelatin, soup, well-cooked vegetables, and ground meats.

DO take pain medications and antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed. Try to take medications with some food in your stomach. Remember that the pain medicine prescribed may have acetaminophen (Tylenol) already in it. If you have a drug reaction or any concerns please contact us immediately. Resume your regular prescription medications unless instructed otherwise.

DO contact us if pain, swelling, bruising becomes excessive or if you have any questions. Pain and/or swelling increasing after the third day means you must return to see the doctor.

DO use the irrigating syringe (if provided) starting on the 4th to 5th day to rinse food that collects in the extraction wounds.

DO have a responsible adult attend to you for at least 8 hours after you have had an IV anesthesia.

Do WEAR YOUR SEATBELT — IT’S THE LAW.

DON’TS

DO NOT rinse forcefully or spit for 24 hours as this may dislodge the blood clot causing a “dry socket.” Do not suck on a straw for at least five days. You may rinse with water (warm or cool) starting the day after the procedure.  If you use salt water,  dissolve no more than a teaspoon in a tall glass of water is best.

DO NOT brush or floss in the area of surgery for 5 days. You may brush and floss the other teeth starting the morning after the procedure.

DO NOT eat hard, crunchy foods like chips, raw carrots, or popcorn for six weeks.

DO NOT drink alcohol, use illegal drugs, drive a vehicle, or perform any activity or decisions that would require alertness while you are taking the narcotic medication or within 24 hours of an IV anesthesia.

DO NOT smoke or use “chewing” tobacco as it will impair healing, risk infection and cause pain.

DO NOT hesitate to call us for any problems, concerns, or questions! (417) 881- 4546

Ibuprofen Instructions

The narcotic analgesic (“pain medication “) you were prescribed in the office already contains acetaminophen (APAP) which is the same as Tylenol®. Therefore, you should not take additional acetaminophen when taking this medication as you risk severe liver injury.

However, if you do not have any medical conditions that exclude you from taking non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) such as IBUPROFEN, which is the same as Advil®, you may and should take this or similar NSAID (such as Aleve or Naproxen or aspirin) in addition to your narcotic APAP medication. If you choose ibuprofen, it is recommended that you take the usual adult dose of IBUPROFEN, which is 400mg to 800mg every six hours, and then take the narcotic medication if you need additional pain relief. The NSAID should be taken an hour before or after the narcotic to avoid upsetting the stomach with two drugs at once. As always, it is recommended to take any pain medication with some food in your stomach. If you have any questions as to whether you can take IBUPROFEN or other NSAID’S, please ask us or consult with your regular physician. If you are taking any Cox-2 inhibitor drug like Celebrex, Bextra or Vioxx,  if you are taking any direct thrombin inhibitors like Angiomax, Pradaxa, Acova, Iprivask or Refludan, or if you are taking any other anti-platelet drugs (blood-thinners),  then do NOT take IBUPROFEN or other NSAID’S.

Please call if you have any questions regarding this information. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in your healthcare.    Frank A. Cornella, DDS, MD & Staff of ORAL SURGERY OF SPRINGFIELD