Patient Information

The patient may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for six (6) hours prior to the surgery.A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.

The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia.
The patient should wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.

IMMEDIATE POST OPERATIVE EXPERIENCE

The removal of impacted wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of teeth is very different from the extraction of erupted teeth. The following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:

• The surgical area will swell.
• Swelling peaks on the 2nd or 3rd day after surgery.
• Stiffness of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening your mouth for a few days
• You may have a slight earache.
• You may develop a sore throat.
• Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.
  If the corners of the mouth are stretched out they may dry and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
• There will be a space where the tooth was removed. After 24 hours this area should be rinsed following meals with warm salt water until it is healed. This cavity will gradually fill in with new tissue.
• There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If the temperature continues, contact the office.
• It is not unusual to develop bruising in the area of an extraction.
  

CARE OF YOUR MOUTH AFTER ORAL SURGERY

• Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after surgery.
• Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area.
• Use ice packs on the side of the face for the first 24 hours; apply for 20 minutes on, then 10 minutes off.
• Bags of frozen peas work very well for this.
• For mild discomfort take Tylenol or ibuprofen every three to four hours.
• For severe pain use the medication prescribed to you.
• Do not drink from a straw.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, chewing gum at intervals will help relax the muscles, as well as the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face over these muscles.

Your other teeth may ache temporarily.  This is referred pain and is a temporary condition.  If the corners of the mouth are stretched out they may dry and crack.  Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.

After the first post-operative day, use a warm salt-water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the surgical area. (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouthwash can be added for better taste.)

Diet should consist of soft foods that can be easily chewed and swallowed. Try to avoid foods with nuts, seeds, or rice, as well as popcorn that can lodge in the surgical area.

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Applying pressure to the surgical area using small, moistened gauze for 45 to 60 minutes controls bleeding. After that time you can remove the gauze and have something to eat or drink. If the bleeding persists, a moist teabag should be placed in the area of bleeding and bite firmly for one hour straight. This will aid in clotting the blood. Repeat if necessary. If the bleeding persists, call our office.

We suggest that you do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery. Nicotine may break down the blood clot and cause a "dry socket".

Please contact our office if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.

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