ORAL SURGERY POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. If you received general anesthesia or sedation you may feel drowsy, dizzy or light headed. The medication may slow your judgement and therefore, you should not drive for 24 hours after anesthesia.

2. You have been prescribed an analgesic (pain medication). Pain medication is designed to relieve pain to a comfortable level. It is not designed to eliminate it. Take the medication as directed for best relief. Do not drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol within 24 hours of taking your last dose.

3. Pain medication is prescribed only during office hours (Monday through Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM). The doctor WILL NOT prescribe medication at any other time. If you are in pain don’t wait until after hours, call during the day.

4. Pain medication and/or the little bit of blood swallowed after surgery can make you nauseated. Take the pain medication with a little food in your stomach. Avoid carbonated beverages during the first 24 hours. Drinking clear beverages such as juice, water, tea and broth are best.

5. DO NOT: Do not do any of the following for 24 hours after surgery to minimize the risk of a dry socket:

A. No smoking

B. No rinsing

C. Do not spit

D. Do not drink through a straw. You may drink from a cup without a straw.

6. ACTIVITY: Rest after surgery. Do not exert yourself. Sit in a chair with your head elevated. When sleeping the first two nights, keep your head elevated with two pillows.

7. Swelling: Swelling is a normal part of the healing process. You will reach maximum swelling two days after surgery. To reduce swelling, keep your head elevated and apply ice. It is recommended that you use ice for the first 24 hours. Place it on for 20 minutes then off for 20 minutes. Repeat this while awake. Swelling will cause you to have limited ability to open your mouth, this is normal and you will be able to open wide when the swelling subsides.

8. Bleeding: You should expect bleeding after surgery. Leave the gauze in for 60 minutes after surgery and then remove. You will have a little oozing on removal of the gauze because it disrupts the clot. If you continue to have a lot of bleeding, place another piece of gauze in for 30 minutes and bite firmly. Do not chew on the gauze, as this will promote bleeding. If you have a tea bag placing it in cold water for ten seconds and then biting on it will help stop the bleeding. Certain medications such as aspirin and can inhibit clotting and cause prolonged bleeding. If you were taking these before surgery expect to have prolonged bleeding.

9. Bruising: Bruising is not uncommon. If you are taking certain medications such as aspirin or steroids you have an increased risk of bruising. Elderly patients have an increased chance of bruising.

10. Hygiene: Starting 24 hours after surgery you should rinse with a glass of warm salt water after eating. (One teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of water). You may brush your teeth lightly 24 hours after surgery.

11. Sutures: If you have sutures they may loosen. Rarely do sutures have to be replaced.

12. Diet: For the first two days after surgery you should eat soft, bland food such as apple sauce, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, yogurt, soups, Jell-O and soft pasta. Spicy and crunchy foods should not be eaten for one week. Remember drink lots of fluid.

13. Dry Socket: A dry socket is caused by the loss of the clot from the socket site. The clot is a natural bandage. If this happens, you will start to feel a throbbing pain, which may radiate to you ear accompanied by a bad taste in your mouth. The pain medicine may not adequately relieve this pain. If you suspect a dry socket please call our office. Remember don’t wait to call at night. There are ways to treat a dry socket and relieve the discomfort.

14. Sinus Precautions: The following are recommendations when sinus involvement is encountered or suspected after surgery: 1. Avoid blowing through your nose. 2. When you feel the urge to sneeze, refrain from holding your nose with your fingers. 3. Avoid carbonated beverages until satisfactory healing has occurred. 4. Refrain from smoking. 5. Your surgeon may feel the need to place you on an over the counter antibiotic, decongestant and/or antihistamine. He will inform you with the desired protocol at this time.

15. EMERGENCY: If you have a true emergency the doctor is available 24 hours a day. Please use these numbers for true emergencies only, NOT to make or change appointments.

Oral Surgeon’s Name: Dr. Derek Kelly OS’s Phone Number: (412)-445-2477

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Revised 6-30-08