Home Patient Info Following Surgical Treatment

What to Do

  • Avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day.
  • Avoid any unnecessary lifting.
  • Apply an ice bag to the face over the surgical site as instructed, alternating on and off every 20 minutes.  Continue the applications for at least six hours on the day of surgery only. This will minimize swelling and discoloration. Do not use ice after the first 24 hours.
  • During the first day eat foods that will not require vigorous chewing. DO NOT RINSE YOUR MOUTH ON THE DAY OF SURGERY.
  • There should not be much bleeding from the surgical site. If you experience significant bleeding, place a moistened black tea bag between the incision and your cheek. Rest with your head elevated for 20 minutes with slight to moderate pressure over the area. Remove the tea bag and confirm that the bleeding has stopped. If it has not, repeat with a new tea bag. If the bleeding persists, call the office or the doctor’s emergency number immediately.
  • You should very gently brush your teeth in the treated area, NOT including the gums, beginning 24 hours after the surgery.  Do not use dental floss or a water irrigation device in the area of surgery until 24 hours after suture removal.
  • Starting the day after surgery, gently rinse the treated area twice a day with the Peridex that was provided to you.
  • Return to our office for suture removal as directed.

What to Expect

Although severe pain seldom occurs, some discomfort will usually be present.  Avoid discomfort and swelling by taking:

  • 800mg (4 pills) of ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6 hours.
  • 1000mg (2 pills) of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours may also be added.
    OR
    1 or 2 Vicodin/hydrocodone.  Do NOT take Vicodin in the same dose as Tylenol.
  • Be sure to drink plenty of water
  • It helps to have something in your stomach when taking medications.

If you were prescribed an antibiotic, continue taking it until gone.  Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above medications or should swelling or a fever develop, please contact our office.

  • There will be some swelling and discoloration for three to five days. This is a normal part of the healing process.
  • There is sometimes temporary loss of feeling in the surgical site.
  • The treated tooth may feel loose for a brief time.