|
What
May Happen
|
What
to Do
|
What
Not to Do
|
|
You
may feel pain.
The
severity of the pain varies from person to person and
from operation to operation.
|
Take
prescribed or recommended medication as instructed. If
the pain medication isn't working, or if the pain continues
unchanged for over 48 hours, call our office.
|
Do
not exceed the recommended dose of medication. Do not
drink alcoholic beverages while on pain medication. |
|
Your
mouth may bleed.
Because blood and saliva mix in your mouth, it may look
as though you are bleeding more than you actually are.
Bleeding usually only lasts 24 hours after surgery.
|
For
the first half hour after surgery keep firm pressure
on a gauze covering the wound. If bleeding continues,
replace the gauze and continue to apply pressure. A
slightly moistened tea bag can be used in place of a
gauze pad.
Avoid
exertion. This slows down your circulation and helps
stop bleeding faster. Once bleeding has stopped, usually
the next day, you can rinse your mouth with 1/2
teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water after each meal.
|
Avoid
rinsing your mouth for 24 hours after surgery. Brush
your teeth as usual, but avoid the wound.
Avoid
alcohol, hot liquids and drinking through a straw for
3 days after surgery. Avoid smoking for this period,
as it may seriously disturb healing. Avoid ASA type
drugs, such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen, as they may make
bleeding worse.
|
|
You
may experience swelling.
It usually occurs in the first 24 to 48 hours, and can
take 3 to 4 days to subside.
|
Place
an ice bag or a bag of frozen peas on the swollen area
for 10 minutes, remove for 10 minutes and repeat. This
works well for the first 8-12 hours after surgery.
|
Do
not apply heat to the swollen area. This can make swelling
worse. |
|
You
may have difficulty opening your mouth.
This
is because the jaw muscles become stiff from holding
your mouth open during surgery. It usually lasts 3 to
4 days.
|
Massage
the jaw muscles gently. Apply moist heat for 10 minutes,
remove for 10 minutes and repeat. Eat soft nutritious
food like eggs, milk shakes, juices, soup (warm, not hot)
pasta, bananas.
|
Do
not force your mouth open. |
|
Other
unusual conditions:
Fever over 101F
Severe bright red bleeding you cannot control.
Rash, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting or other
reaction to medication.
|
Call
our office at
(905) 880-7003
Or:
Etobicoke General Emergency
(905) 747-3582
|
|
|
Impacted
teeth or very difficult extractions may have further
complications such as temporary or permanent tingling
or numbness, or sinus involvement.
|
These
often resolve by themselves over a period of time.
Referral
to a specialist may be needed.
|
|
