The Oral Surgery Center of Albuquerque offers instructions to its patients post surgery. Please read and follow all given instructions as they apply to you and are for your safety and proper healing. As you follow these instructions they will add to your comfort and hasten your recovery.
General Post-Surgery Instructions
Day of Surgery
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- Bleeding: You will leave gauze in your mouth. Be sure to bite down firmly on the gauze for 20 minutes. You may then remove the gauze so that you may eat. You will be given extra gauze in case you need it, but it is not necessary to use it. You may ooze throughout the day, this is normal. If you feel you need to, you may use the extra gauze by biting on it firmly for 20 minutes or dampen a tea bag and bite on that firmly for 20 minutes. You must apply pressure in order for it to work. Do not go to sleep with gauze or a tea bag in your mouth.
- Diet: As soon as you remove the gauze, you may start a soft cool diet for day of surgery. Avoid hot fluids and food today. Do not skip meals and try to eat frequently, especially before taking any medication. We recommend applesauce, pudding, custard, shakes, smoothies, and plenty of fluid (including water and juices). DO NOT USE A STRAW. If taking pain medication, it is often best to avoid yogurt and jello the first day.
- Surgical Site: Do not disturb the surgical area with your tongue and do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash the first day. Do not spit. You may have stitches at the surgical site, if so, do not pull or disturb them in any way.
- Smoking: It is imperative that you DO NOT SMOKE OR USE ANY TYPE OF TOBACCO PRODUCT for at least 7 days. Avoid being around second hand smoke as well.
- Pain Medication: As soon as you arrive home, please eat, then begin any pain medication prescribed. It is important to begin the medication before the numbness wears off. You may take 1 pain medication every 4 hours the first day. Always eat before you take any pain medication. Do not drive any type of vehicle.
- Rest: It is important that you go home and remain home today if you have had any sedatives or general anesthesia. It is very important that you go directly home, stay there, and make sure you are not left alone. You may not drive any type of vehicle for 24 hours. Do not consume any alcohol or any drugs not prescribed to you.
- Swelling: In order to minimize swelling, which is common after oral surgery, place ice packs on the face 20 minutes out of every hour that you are awake. Do not lie flat. Rest and sleep with your head elevated and drink plenty of liquids.
- Antibiotics: If you are prescribed antibiotics, begin them this afternoon or evening and take full course. Do not skip a dose or end the medication early. Be sure you have notified us of any other medication you may be taking.
24-48 Hours After Surgery
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- Diet: You may have warm foods and fluids today. Continue on a soft diet. Do not eat anything that requires excessive chewing or is sharp or crunchy. Do not skip meals and drink plenty of liquids. Good nutrition is very important. Do not chew gum for the first week.
- Medication: Continue to take your pain medication as prescribed, or as needed. Be sure you have eaten before taking any pain medication. Remember, if you are taking a narcotic, do not drive any type of vehicle. Do not consume alcohol. Continue your antibiotic as prescribed.
- Muscle Pain and Jaw Joint Soreness: You may begin to experience muscle pain beginning today. To help with this, we advise you take ibuprofen, if you are able, 400 mg every 4-6 hours for a few days.
- Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising is common after oral surgery. Today begin to apply warm, moist packs to your face 20 minutes out of each hour that you are awake. Ice packs are only effective the first day. Do not lie flat. Drink plenty of fluids.
3-7 Days After Surgery
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- Diet: Advance your diet slowly as needed toward a normal diet. Avoid all hard and crunchy food for at least a week. If your procedures consisted of multiple extractions, we highly recommend staying on a soft diet for 5 days and then slowly advance toward a normal diet. Chewing may cause muscle soreness and earaches, in such cases, you may take ibuprofen. Do not skip any meals and continue to drink plenty of fluids.
- Medication: Continue to take antibiotics as prescribed until they are all gone. Ease off prescribed pain medication on Day 3, and use Tylenol or ibuprofen to control remaining pain.
- Swelling and Bruising: Swelling will peak 3-5 days, do not be alarmed. Continue to use warm moist packs, drink plenty of fluids, take ibuprofen and do not lie flat when resting.
- Smoking Please do not smoke, or use any type of tobacco product, for at least a week.
- Oral Hygiene Continue warm salt water rinses 4-5 times daily for the next week to keep your surgical sites clean. Do not be aggressive with brushing and do not poke or use anything to inspect your surgical sites. Leaving them alone is important to healing. Your stitches will come out as you heal. Do not pull on any loose stitches. You may trim any that are hanging. Do not use mouth wash for a week.
Post Dental Implant Surgery
Upon receiving dental implants you will want to avoid rinsing, touching, or spitting the day of surgery. Remember, the implant will have been installed with a titanium abutment. Here are also some after affects that you may, may not, experience and additional insights after the implants have been installed:
Bleeding * Pain/Antibiotics * Swelling
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- BLEEDING: If patients experience minor bleeding and redness within 24 hours post surgery this is normal. Excessive bleeding post surgery, post surgery, although less common is able to be controlled by directly placing a gauze pad (for 30 minutes) on the wound. If excessive bleeding continues please contact your doctor for further instruction.
- PAIN/ANTIBIOTICS: The doctor will prescribe necessary medication to mitigate pain post surgery. When the given anesthetic wears off, you then should begin using the medication prescribed. If pain is moderate, instead of taking the prescribed medication you may use over the counter medicine (i.e. tylenol and ibuprofen). Obey all warning labels when using any medicinal product. Individuals who are under 18 will need to consult with their doctor on how often to use over the counter medicine, and do not use prescribed medication and over the counter at the same time.
In our initial examination, patients will be asked if they are allergic to any medication. Patients are highly encouraged to not drive or work around any machinery while medicated.
These will be provided by the doctor and should only be used as prescribed by the doctor. - Swelling and Bruising: Swelling will peak 3-5 days, do not be alarmed. Continue to use warm moist packs, drink plenty of fluids, take ibuprofen and do not lie flat when resting.
- SWELLING Patients may experience swelling post surgery which is common. When swelling occurs apply an ice bag, or ice wrapped in a towel on the swelled area.
Swelling & Oral Hygiene
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- Swelling: Patients may experience swelling post surgery which is common. When swelling occurs apply an ice bag, or ice wrapped in a towel on the swelled area.
- Oral Hygiene: A prescribed rinse will be provided after surgery that patients will use the first night, and which will be used the day after surgery. Good oral hygiene is necessary for healing after surgery. Doctor’s also recommend a warm salt water rinse to help with healing after meals.
Liquids & Activities & Wearing Prosthesis
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- Drink Plenty of Liquids: We recommend our patients drink plenty of liquids, while avoiding liquids and solids which are hot. Post surgery eat and drink soft food, and as soon as possible, unless directed otherwise by the doctor, return to a normal diet.
- Activities: We recommend our patients avoid excessive exercise and physical activities as this may cause additional throbbing and bleeding. Remember to keep up with proper nourishment.
Post Wisdom Teeth Removal
The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth is a common surgery; although common, it is still a serious surgery. How individuals care for their gums and jaw after surgery is important to relieve unnecessary pain and potential complications. Her are important guidelines to follow post-operative surgery:
Mandatory Guidelines for Safety
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- Gauze Pad: A gauze pad will be provided upon successful surgery which should be left in place according to doctor’s specified time.
- Prescribed Pain Medication: If pain medication is prescribed take only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than prescribed.
- Hygiene: Avoid rigorous mouth rinsing, washing, and/or touching gum sockets where the wisdom teeth have been removed. Reason, the newly formed blood clot may be removed causing unnecessary pain and continued bleeding.
- Experiencing Swelling: Ice packs will help reduce swelling in the jaw and cheek muscles.
- Normal Activity: The body requires rest and relaxation to heal properly from this surgery. Do not resume normal daily activities for 24-48 hours.
Bleeding * Pain * Possible Infections
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- BLEEDING If patients experience minor bleeding and redness within 24 hours post surgery this is normal. Excessive bleeding post surgery, although less common is able to be controlled by directly placing a gauze pad (for 30 minutes) on the wound. If excessive bleeding continues please contact your doctor for further instruction.
- PAIN/ANTIBIOTICS: The doctor will prescribe necessary medication to mitigate pain post surgery. When the given anesthetic wears off, you then should begin using the medication prescribed. If pain is moderate, instead of taking the prescribed medication you may use over the counter medicine (i.e. tylenol and ibuprofen). Obey all warning labels when using any medicinal product. Individuals who are under 18 will need to consult with their doctor on how often to use over the counter medicine, and do not use prescribed medication and over the counter at the same time.
In our initial examination, patients will be asked if they are allergic to any medication. Patients are highly encouraged to not drive or work around any machinery while medicated.
These will be provided by the doctor and should only be used as prescribed by the doctor. - SWELLING: Patients may experience swelling post surgery which is common. When swelling occurs apply an ice bag, or ice wrapped in a towel on the swelled area.
Oral Hygiene * Diet * Nausea or Vomitting
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- Hygiene: A prescribed rinse will be provided after surgery that patients will use the first night, and which will be used the day after surgery. Good oral hygiene is necessary for healing after surgery. Doctor’s also recommend a warm salt water rinse to help with healing after meals.
- Diet: We recommend our patients drink plenty of liquids, while avoiding liquids and solids which are hot. Post surgery eat and drink soft food, and as soon as possible, unless directed otherwise by the doctor, return to a normal diet.
- Nausea & Vomitting: Please contact Dr. David Collette DMD, MD for further diagnosis and to be provided with the best solution.
Post Canine Tooth Extractions
A tooth, or teeth, extraction is a procedure to remove a tooth from the gum socket. This procedure should be accomplished by a trained professional in the field of dentistry (i.e., Oral Surgeon).
The severity of the extraction will determine the type of anesthesia offered. The gum tissue, surrounding the socket, will be loosened, or cut, in order to remove the tooth in the most efficient manner.
Items to Avoid
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After your tooth/teeth have been removed the body will naturally form a blood clot and after this blood clot has formed please avoid the following activities for the next 72 (unless specified otherwise by your doctor):
- Sucking on Straws
- Vigorous rinsing of the mouth
- Drinking
- Smoking
- High intensive exercises up to 24 hours
Bleeding * Pain/Antibiotics * Swelling
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- BLEEDING: If patients experience minor bleeding and redness within 24 hours post surgery this is normal. Excessive bleeding post surgery, although less common is able to be controlled by directly placing a gauze pad (for 30 minutes) on the wound. If excessive bleeding continues please contact your doctor for further instruction.
- PAIN/ANTIBIOTICS: If the doctor has prescribed pain medication, do not take more than the doctor has prescribed. This should be followed with exactness for your health and safety.
ANTIBIOTICS: These will be provided by the doctor and should only be used as prescribed by the doctor. - SWELLING It is not uncommon for patients to experience pain or minor swelling after surgery. A standard ice pack, or other forms of using frozen commodities will work to mitigate swelling.
Reasons I Should Contact Surgeon After Surgery?
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The following guidelines have been provided for your health and safety. If you experience any of the following:
- Excessive bleeding abnormal to a common tooth/teeth extraction — blood is not clotting properly
- Excessive swelling that is not minimized through recommended options
- Excessive pain which is not mitigated through prescribed medication
- Experience fever
- Personal breath results in a foul odor
Please contact our office staff immediately.
