After the Removal of Multiple Teeth
Fountaingrove Oral Surgery, Santa Rosa CA
A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for 20-30 minutes. The tannic acid in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting blood vessels. Elevate our head and avoid hot liquids the day of your surgery as this could increase bleeding. Exercise should be limited for the first 3-4 days following your procedure. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately. Do not remove the immediate denture unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.
Use ice packs (externally) on the cheek near the surgical site. Apply ice alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, for the first 24 hours only, while you are awake. (You do not have to wake up to continue icing throughout the night)
Taking the pain medications that your doctor has prescribed for you will help you to effectively manage any discomfort that you may experience. Please follow the directions on your prescription bottle and call our office if you have any questions. Keep in mind that taking your pain medications before your local anesthetic wears off will help you to control your discomfort more easily. It is important for you to have something to eat before you take any kind of medication. This will help to minimize the occurance of nausea or vomiting.
Do not take any medications if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. If you are taking a narcotic pain medicacation such as Norco or Percocet do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should gradually subside over the coarse of a week or so. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office, especially if new pain and/or sweling occur.
Drink plenty of fluids. If many teeth have been extracted, the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day.
Do not rinse your mouth for the first post-operative day, or while there is bleeding. After the first day, use a warm salt water rinse (one half of a tespoon of salt to a cup of warm water) every 4 hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated area. After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out the denture and rinse 3 to 4 times a day.
Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods that are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal, you will be able to resume your normal diet.
The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different from the extraction of just one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
- The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in 2-4 days. Swelling and discoloration around the eyes may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate the discoloration. The towel should be applied continuously for as long as is tolerable, beginning 36 hours after surgery. (Remember: ice packs are used for the first 24 hours only).
- A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2-3 days.
- If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If your temperature continues to rise, notify our office.
If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery to make the necessary adjustments and relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing process.