Why Should You Consider This Book?
Expert Insights
Written by dental professionals with extensive experience in post-operative care, providing reliable and practical guidance.
Comprehensive Content
Covers all key aspects of dental post-operative recovery, from common procedures to advanced treatments.
User-Friendly Format
Designed for easy reading and quick reference, making it accessible for both dental professionals and patients.
Evidence-Based Practices
Features the latest research and proven techniques to ensure optimal recovery and patient satisfaction.
Take the Next Step in Dental Care!
Unlock the ultimate guide to post-operative success. Start reading now and discover essential tips and expert advice to enhance recovery and elevate your dental practice. Don’t wait—improve outcomes for yourself or your patients today!
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POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
First Hour
Bite down gently on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Keep the gauze for 30-45 minutes. You do not have to put new gauze in most of the cases. Even if there is a little ooze of blood, it will stop soon by not irritating the area. Avoid using straw to drink. Avoid talking as much as possible. Avoid spitting. Do not eat or drink for 2 hours after extraction. While you are numb, you may damage the extraction site.
Exercise Care
Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. Use 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution 2 or 3 times a day starting the next day after surgery. You may brush your teeth gently on the day of surgery. Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.
Swelling
Swelling is often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. You will have more swelling on the second day and then it will gradually resolve. After 48 hours use a warm towel, instead of an ice pack on your face.
Pain
Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Do not drive while you are taking painkillers such as Vicodin or Codeine, these drugs can affect your concentration.
Oozing
Frequent changing the gauze can cause more bleeding than stopping it. If you have persistent oozing, call the office.
Nausea
Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications but call us if you do not feel better.
Diet
Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not
use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely
required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt,
milk shakes, etc.) Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is
important not to skip meals
FAQ: Your Post-Op Questions, Answered!
Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, consuming alcohol, and taking unprescribed medications for 24-48 hours. Rest and stay hydrated with small sips of water.
Apply an ice pack to your cheek for the first 24 hours, take prescribed painkillers, and avoid hard or crunchy foods. Keep the extraction site clean with gentle rinses after 24 hours.
Yes, it's common to notice small bone fragments, similar to grains of salt, in the graft area. This is not a cause for concern.
Stick to soft, cold foods such as purees, yogurt, and smoothies for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or hot foods to protect the wound.
Use chlorhexidine rinses as directed by your dentist, eat soft foods, and avoid spicy or acidic items. Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush the day after surgery.
Contact your dentist if you experience severe pain, excessive swelling, redness, oozing, or symptoms that don’t improve with prescribed care.
Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, consuming alcohol, and taking unprescribed medications for 24-48 hours. Rest and stay hydrated with small sips of water.
Apply an ice pack to your cheek for the first 24 hours, take prescribed painkillers, and avoid hard or crunchy foods. Keep the extraction site clean with gentle rinses after 24 hours.
Yes, it's common to notice small bone fragments, similar to grains of salt, in the graft area. This is not a cause for concern.
Stick to soft, cold foods such as purees, yogurt, and smoothies for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy, or hot foods to protect the wound.
Use chlorhexidine rinses as directed by your dentist, eat soft foods, and avoid spicy or acidic items. Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush the day after surgery.
Contact your dentist if you experience severe pain, excessive swelling, redness, oozing, or symptoms that don’t improve with prescribed care.