Post-Operative Information
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Post-op Instructions You have had a surgical procedure in your mouth that must be cared for just as any other part of your body. Infection, swelling and pain must be held to a minimum or prevented if possible. For these reasons, follow the instructions carefully. Patients who have undergone sedation should be carefully attended to by a responsible person for at least eight hours after leaving the office. The patient is not permitted to drive. Bleeding
When extensive surgery has been done about the face, swelling is not unusual. To help prevent this, place an ice bag or ice cubes wrapped in a damp towel on the side of the face over the area where surgery was performed. Leave in place 20 minutes, remove for 10 minutes and then repeat this series for a period of 12 hours. Ice is of little benefit after this time. Try to do this as soon after the operation as possible. Diet An adequate, highly nutritious diet MUST be followed to insure a speedy recovery. Immediately following surgery, a liquid diet should be maintained for 24 hours, then soft foods are recommended and should be continued for several days. We realize that the consumption of foods will be difficult, but an adequate diet is essential for proper healing. Suggestions: Eggs, Jell-O, custard, cottage cheese, etc. We also recommend daily use of a multiple vitamin. Mouth Rinses The day following the surgery use warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of table salt to a glass of warm water) as a GENTLE mouth rinse after every meal and between meals for several weeks following the surgery. The post-operative area must always be kept clean. You may also brush your teeth at your regular schedule. Medication You may be given prescriptions for pain and infection. Infection can be a serious problem if not taken care of properly. Take all medications as directed. Sutures If you have sutures (stitches) in your mouth, you will be reappointed for their removal at the desired time following surgery. Do not be alarmed if they become loose or bothersome. Numbness Following the removal of teeth of the lower jaw, a small percentage of patients will experience numbness of the lower lip and tongue. The nerve involved provides feeling only and has no effect on eating, talking or your appearance. If numbness does occur, it is more often felt as a minor annoyance and usually disappears with normal healing. Your care is individual. No two patients are alike. Discuss your problem with the person best able to effectively help you, your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Some bleeding, swelling and pain is expected; however, if for any reason you are alarmed or excessively concerned about the condition of your mouth, please call our office (Apopka, Orange City, Oviedo). Healing Tips Do's Do apply pressure to stop the bleeding by placing the gauze directly over the extraction site. Do apply ice packs to your face to reduce swelling the day of surgery. Do eat soft foods, such as soups and blenderized meals, after the bleeding stops. Do drink lots of fluid after the bleeding stops. Do take antibiotics and/or pain medications, if prescribed. Do keep your mouth clean. Don'ts Don't chew hard or crunchy foods, such as carrots or popcorn, for 2 weeks. These foods could become lodged in the extraction site or fracture the weakened bone. Don't brush the teeth in the area of surgery until the day after surgery. Brush carefully. Don't rinse your mouth or spit forcefully the day of surgery; it could loosen the blood clot. Don't smoke after surgery. Inhaling creates suction, and it could loosen the blood clot. Don't overexert yourself. Don't use alcohol the day of surgery or while taking pain medications. |