Pre-care & Post-care Instructions
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After Oral Surgery
Intravenous Sedation
After Oral Surgery
Avoid strenuous exercise or activity to reduce bleeding.
Do not bite or chew numb areas of the tongue, cheeks or lips.
For at least 24 hours:
- No smoking
- No spitting or sucking
- No drinking hot liquids
- No carbonated beverages
- No alcohol
- No commercial mouthwashes (e.g. Listerine, Lavoris, etc.)
- No chewing in the area
- No rinsing in the mouth
Bleeding
Maintain firm biting pressure on the gauze placed in your mouth for about one hour or until the bleeding stops. Some oozing of blood may continue for a short time after the surgery. However, if there is more than just oozing, the following procedure can be used:
With a clean gauze pad, gently wipe the blood over the wound. Place another clean, folded gauze pad on the bleeding area. Close your teeth tightly over this pad so that there is light biting pressure against it. Maintain the pressure for about thirty minutes, then repeat if necessary.
If extreme bleeding persists, call Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann at (314) 862-7844.
Rinsing the Mouth
The blood clot should be given time to form and should not be disturbed. The mouth should not be rinsed during the day of surgery. The second day, after each meal and at bedtime, rinse your mouth with one teaspoon salt mixed in a glass of warm salt water (plain warm water if you are on a low salt diet). Hold this in your mouth for 3 minutes over the healing area.
After 24 hours, the teeth should be brushed as usual. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene so that the wound may heal without infection.
Swelling and Discomfort
An ice pack may be used to keep down swelling only during the first four (4) hours after surgery. Some degree of pain and swelling are normal for 3-4 days. If you have been given a prescription, have it promptly filled and take it as directed.
Do not drive, operate machinery or be anywhere you may get hurt after taking pain medication because it may make you sleepy. Pain should be greatly reduced in 36 hours.
Eating
Soft nutritious foods may be eaten without disturbing the blood clot. Drink large amounts of liquids (water, milk, juice or tea).
Sutures
Any stitches will dissolve on their own unless otherwise noted.
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