Please Read
Important Home Care Instructions

1. Remove gauze packs about 20 minutes after leaving office. Apply firm pressure and replace every 20 minutes if bleeding continues

2. Eat soft liquid foods after removing gauze, (i.e.: applesauce, yogurt, jell-O, pudding, warm broth, carbonated beverages.) NO STRAWS, SPITTING, OR SMOKING, any suction can encourage bleeding.

3. Take pain medication as directed.

4. Re-evaluate bleeding. Extra gauze has been provided. (See below for further instructions.)

5. Do not rinse for 24 hours.

 

~BLEEDING~
Bite firmly on gauze, place over the surgery areas for 30-45 minutes, (constant pressure). Any secondary bleeding may be controlled in the same manner. This may need to be repeated several times. A semi-upright position is advisable. Sight oozing may continue for 1-2 days.

~PAIN~
Take medications as directed. Prescription medication is not always necessary. If the pain is mild, you may use over the counter medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc. ~DO NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE ON NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICTIONS. ~

~DIET~
It is very important that you eat soon after arriving home. Eating can reduce the chance if having nausea. Soft liquid food while you are still numb. After the numbness wears off, you may eat whatever you can manage. A good diet will aid in a speedy recovery.

~NAUSEA~
Drink small amounts of carbonated beverages to help with nausea. (7-UP, Sprite, Colas, etc.) Frequent meals can reduce the chance of nausea. If nausea persists, please contact us.

~SWELLING~
Swelling may occur after surgery and will vary with each individual. Ice packs, may be used to limit this: 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Ice only for the first 24-48 hours. After 5 days, moist heat may be used. If swelling or pain is excessive, please call the office.

~INFECTION~
In an antibiotic has been prescribed, take as directed. If you develop hives or a rash, immediately discontinue and call our office.

~ORAL HYGIENE~
Do not rinse your mouth the day of surgery. Starting the next day, you should rinse several times a day with warm salt-water. Brush your teeth in a normal manner, as thoroughly as possible. A little bleeding may occur. This is not unusual. There will be open sockets where the teeth were removed. ~After 3 days~, start rinsing the lower sockets every few hours with the irrigating syringe. A slight bad taste or odor may be present. You may have stitches in your mouth. They will dissolve in 5-6 days.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

1. The surgical sites will usually swell, and may become quite large.

2. You may have difficulty opening due to stiffness of the muscles.

3. You may develop a soar throat or have a slight earache.

4. It may take 4-6 weeks for the sockets to fill in with new tissue.

5. Discoloration may occur on the outside of the face near the area of surgery. This occurrence is not unusual and will resolve in several days.

6. The IV site may be slightly red and tender.

7. You may develop a low grade temperature. Call this office if temperature continues for more than 48 hours.

8. It is important that you DO NOT DRIVE 24 hours after IV sedation or while taking narcotics for pain.

DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL IF PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS ARISE.
PHONE: (208) 459-7800       IF NO ANSWER: (208) 697-2561

We care about your comfort and health.