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Dear Patients and Caregivers,
We want your recovery from oral surgery to be as comfortable and rapid as possible. That is why we have provided this step-by-step guide to help you care for yourself after surgery. We urge you to follow it carefully.
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 Having teeth removed is a surgical procedure that affects your whole body. It will take your body several days to recover. Following these procedures can help you reduce your discomfort and promote more rapid, uncomplicated healing.
We appreciate the trust you have shown in us by selecting us to perform your surgery. Because we are committed to providing you with the best care possible, we welcome your comments and questions about any aspect of your treatment.
In addition to extracting teeth, we also provide services to surgically place dental implants, perform facial cosmetic surgery and corrective (orthognathic) jaw surgery, repair trauma to the facial soft tissue and facial skeleton, diagnose oral disease, and treat infections. If you need such services in the future we hope you will call on us again.
Remember
- Put nothing in your mouth after midnight prior to your surgery, not even coffee, water, gum, mints or lifesavers.
- In the morning brush your teeth BUT DO NOT SWALLOW any paste, water , mouthwash, etc.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- The portion of surgical charges agreed upon at your exam is due from you at the time of surgery. If you cannot make such a payment on the day of surgery, please call our office prior to your surgery to make alternative payment plans.
To prepare for your at-home-recovery:
- Plan for adequate time away from work, school, or other daily responsibilities to give your body time to heal properly.
- Have your prescription filled prior to surgery.
- Have ice or ice packs on hand.
- Have plenty of carbonated beverages, fruit juices and water on hand. NO STRAWS!
- Have soft foods stocked: yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, soup, oatmeal, eggs, etc.
Wear comfortable clothes with short sleeves to your surgery appointment.
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight!
Day 1: the First 24 Hours
On your way home:
- Have you filled your pain medication prescription? If not, do so now. Wait to take the medication until you have completed steps 2-6 to follow.
- When you first arrive home: For the first 30 minutes keep firm, continuous pressure on the gauze over the surgical site. Afterwards, remove gauze. If bleeding has not stopped, place fresh gauze in your mouth. Bite down with firm, continuous pressure for another half hour. Remove gauze. Blood may ooze slightly after gauze is removed. A pinkish tinge to your saliva is normal. If blood is bright red and fills your mouth, call our office at (206) 363-3010.
- Rest with your head elevated, as in a recliner chair or with extra pillows. Expect to sleep most of the day.
- Apply ice packs to the face over the surgical area to reduce swelling. Begin ice during the first hour and continue for 24 hours. Follow a schedule of 15 minutes on-15 minutes off. The ice is effective in reducing swelling only during the first 24-36 hours although swelling may continue for several more days.
- In the first few hours after surgery: Drink a carbonated beverage to help settle your stomach. DO NOT USE A STRAW. A straw creates suction which could break down the blood clot at the surgical site, prolong bleeding and delay healing. Smoking causes a similar problem. DO NOT SMOKE.
- Drink a cold milk product about half an hour after the carbonated beverage. We recommend a milk shake. This helps minimize nausea that pain medication may cause. Those allergic to milk products may try juices or soup.
- After you drink the product recommended above, take the first dose of pain medication as directed on the label. Continue to take medication as prescribed throughout the day. Report any adverse reactions to drugs such as rashes, itchiness or difficulty breathing by calling us immediately at (206) 363-3010.
- Drink fluids frequently. Wake younger children every hour to have them drink fluids, this will minimize nausea.
- Begin eating very soft foods today if that is comfortable.
IMPORTANT
DURING THE FIRST 24 HOURS
DO NOT Rinse your mouth, spit, smoke, drink with a straw or brush your teeth.
Days 2 and 3: 48-72 Hours
- Eat a soft diet. For health's sake choose nutritious foods: scrambled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, mashed bananas, applesauce, juices, and soups. Consider juicing vegetables and grinding meats in a blender. Baby food works well. You might want to add salt, pepper, or other spices to it. Some patients have recommended eating cream of rice or wheat topped with tomato, pesto, or cheese sauce.
- Avoid hard foods that require chewing or that have small pieces which could enter the surgical site or break the forming blood clot. Such foods include, but are not limited to, granola, nuts, rice, popcorn, and small candies. A broken clot can lead to "dry socket", which causes pain, and delays healing .
- About 24 hours after surgery start to rinse your mouth gently with warm water. Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Rinse about once an hour while awake, roughly 10 to 12 times per day. Brush very gently in areas where incisions have been made or stitches placed. Brush the rest of your mouth thoroughly in your regular manner.
- Continue to rest and drink 2-3 quarts (8-12 glasses) of fluid per day. Both are vital to promoting healing and preventing infection.
- Reduce swelling with gentle warm rinses and take your anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed. Take medication after putting some food or milk product in your stomach. Swelling is normal during this time and reaches it's peak on days two and three.
Until Your Follow-Up Visit:
- Continue to eat a very soft diet. Avoid vigorous chewing or small, hard foods.
- Continue warm salt water rinses and regular oral hygiene.
- Maintain good fluid intake.
- Do not smoke. Smoking may cause post-surgical complications to develop.
Follow-Up Visit:
A week after the surgery, we will remove any stitches you may have received and inspect the surgical site to assure that proper healing is occurring.
That's it. The process of having your teeth removed is successfully accomplished!
 Commonly Asked Questions:
Q: How long should I keep pressure on the gauze?
A: Before you left our office we made sure that the bleeding was under control. We do recommend your leaving the gauze over the surgical site for at least 30 minutes after you arrive home. Bite down with firm pressure during that time. Then gently remove the gauze. If bright red blood flows from the surgical area, put a clean piece of moistened gauze in your mouth and again bite down with firm pressure for another 30 minutes. After that, bleeding should have eased. A pink tinge to your saliva is normal and may continue for a day or two.
Q: What should I do if I still notice blood on the gauze?
A: Remain calm. Have you been keeping FIRM CONTINUOUS pressure on the gauze? If not, do so for 30 more minutes. Do not talk or spit. Remain at rest during this time. You might try using a moistened tea bag wrapped in gauze on the surgical site. Tea bags contain tannic acid, which promotes clotting. Remove the bag and gauze. If, after several efforts at continuous pressure, blood from the site remains a bright red, and fills your mouth, call our office at (206) 363-3010
Q: What should I do if I feel nauseous?
A: Pain medication may cause some mild stomach upset. That is why we suggest you drink a milk product (like a milkshake) before your first dose of medication. Carbonated water or soda may also relieve an upset stomach. If the nausea continues or becomes severe call us at (206) 363-3010
Q: What can I do to relieve pain?
A: Begin taking prescribed pain medication as soon as possible after surgery. we recommend that you first eat something to alleviate nausea that pain medication can cause. Continue taking the medication on the prescribed schedule for the first day or two. After that time, take pain medication as needed in accordance with prescribed directions. If you experience an increase in pain intensity after the third day, you might have developed a post surgical complication. Call our office at (206) 363-3010, so we can determine the best course of action.
Q: How long will my recovery take? When can I return to work or to my normal routine?
A: You have undergone significant surgery and your body needs time to recover. Plan at least three or four days to rest from normal activity. How quickly you recover depends on how you cooperate with your body's healing process (resting, drinking liquids, taking your medications, avoiding hard foods and vigorous chewing, rinsing gently, etc). By following these guidelines, you will minimize complications such as infection and the breakdown of the blood clot ("dry socket") and return to your routine sooner.
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