After Wisdom Tooth Removal Arlington Heights IL

After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply. When possible, please contact us during normal business hours (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-4:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am-1:00 pm) with any questions or concerns. After business hours, please call our office at (224) 770-3001; listen to the message and then press the number 4 to reach Dr. Shinozaki.

Please read the following instructions carefully. Following these instructions will help make your post-operative course comfortable and will help to avert unnecessary complications.

BLEEDING

1. For the first hour, bite down firmly on the gauze placed over the surgical areas. Ensure the gauze is over the surgical site. Do not change the gauze for the first hour. The gauze may be gently removed after one hour. Please refrain from talking during the first few hours after surgery as this may cause bleeding. Please do not spit or rinse your mouth on the day of surgery as this may cause bleeding.
2. If the bleeding persists, fold new gauze into a tight roll, place over surgical site and bite firmly for another hour. You may have to do this several times. If bleeding continues to persist, place a wet black tea bag on the surgical site and apply firm pressure for two hours. Sitting quietly in an upright position will also help control bleeding. If these measures are not successful, please call the office.
3. Slight bleeding may continue for 24-48 hours. This is not unusual and is no cause for alarm.

DISCOMFORT

1. Following oral surgery, it is normal to experience discomfort. If you are 12 years old and older, for mild to moderate pain, please take over the counter acetaminophen 500 mg and two ibuprofen 200 mg (400 mg total) orally every 6 hours with food for 3 or 4 days. Please take the first dose after surgery, before the numbness wears off. For severe pain, please take acetaminophen 500 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg orally every 4 hours with food. Do not exceed acetaminophen 3000 mg and ibuprofen 3000 mg per 24 hours or risk permanent liver and/or kidney damage. If you are unable to take ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen, please inform Dr. Shinozaki. Approximately, one hour should be allowed for the effect of any pain medication. If you were prescribed a narcotic (example: oxycodone) for severe pain, please continue taking acetaminophen 500 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg every 4 hours with food. Please note, narcotics such as oxycodone, may cause narcotic dependence/addiction, nausea, vomiting and constipation. If you develop constipation or would like to prevent constipation, please take over the counter docusate/sennosides (50 mg-8.6 mg) 2 tablets by mouth with breakfast and dinner. Please discontinue if your stool becomes loose.
2. Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen. If you anticipate needing more prescription medication for the weekend, please call the office and schedule an appointment to be seen during normal weekday office hours.
3. If you have pain that cannot be controlled with the recommended medications, please call the office.

NAUSEA

Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Some patients find that pain medication causes nausea and vomiting. Once you are no longer numb, nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with soft food and taking the pill with a large volume of water. If you are nauseated, try to keep drinking clear fluids and minimize the dosing of narcotic pain medications. Please call us if you do not feel better.

SWELLING AND BRUISING

1. Swelling and bruising is to be expected. Maximum swelling usually occurs 2-3 days after surgery.
2. Sleeping on two pillows at night after surgery is advisable.
3. Ice packs or a bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas) wrapped in a towel should be applied to the side of the face approximating the surgical site. Apply the pack for 20 minutes on and off for the first 24-48 hours. After that, ice will not be effective.
4. Bruising should disappear within 10 days.

FEVER

A mild fever for the first two days after surgery is normal, even after a simple procedure. Inadequate fluid intake can also elevate temperature. If fever is excessive (greater than 101.5 F) or persists, do not hesitate to call.

ALCOHOL AND SMOKING/VAPING

Alcoholic beverages and nicotine can constrict blood vessels and destroy blood-clotting processes. Smoke/vapor is an irritant to healing tissues. Both should be avoided until healing is well established. In addition, alcohol should be avoided while taking prescription pain medications.

FLUIDS

Adequate fluid intake is essential. Adults should consume 8-12 glasses of fluids each day.

DIET

1. A well-balanced diet will promote healing.
2. Please do not chew food while you are still numb, as you may cause harm to your cheek, tongue, gums and surgical site.
3. Soft non-chew foods are most desirable during the first week to two weeks following surgery.
4. Avoid hot, hard, spicy, acidic or chewy foods. Citrus and carbonated drinks can cause irritation to the surgical site. Foods with small seeds should also be avoided as they may get caught in the surgical site.
5. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.

ANESTHESIA

Patients who received sedation or general anesthesia should not drive a vehicle, operate any machinery, or undertake any business matters for 24 hours after surgery.

REST

1. It is important to get enough rest with any surgery.
2. Avoid strenuous activity for the next 48 hours as this will increase blood pressure and may cause the surgical site to bleed.

BRUSHING AND RINSING

1. You may brush and floss your teeth gently. Please avoid using a Waterpik.
2. Please avoid brushing the surgical area during the first 7 days after surgery.
3. Unless otherwise directed, do not rinse your mouth on the day of surgery. On the day after surgery, after meals (three times a day), use the prescribed mouthwash by gently soaking the site and spit. If you were not given a prescription for mouthwash, you can use tap water and a pinch of table salt.

HEALING

Normal healing after oral surgery should be as follows: The first three days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually swelling. On the fourth day, you should be more comfortable and although swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you do not see continued improvement, please call our office.

SYRINGE IRRIGATION

After your extraction, you may have been given an irrigation syringe. This syringe is to be used 3 days after surgery, to remove food debris from the extraction site after meals. In a cup, dispense tap water and dissolve a pinch of salt. Aspirate the salt water mixture into the syringe. Gently angle the curved tip of the syringe into the extraction site. With a circular and in and out movement of the syringe tip, irrigate the extraction site with 2 syringes of salt water. Continue to irrigate the extraction site until the extraction site closes, which is approximately 3 weeks.

CAUTION

Please do not disturb the surgical area. Following the above steps should help in minimizing post-operative problems. Should problems arise, please feel free to contact our office.

PLEASE NOTE: You must schedule an appointment during normal office hours in order to receive a narcotic prescription renewal. Telephone requests for narcotic refills will not be accepted.

MEALS AND SNACKS TO CONSIDER AFTER AN ORAL SURGERY PROCEDURE

• Water, juice, milk, smoothies, milkshakes (No drinking with a straw for a week)
• Lukewarm soups and broth, mashed or baked potatoes, soft bread, oatmeal, or over-cooked pasta (mac and cheese)
• Applesauce and canned fruit such as peaches, pears and mandarin oranges
• Eggs, cottage cheese, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt, ice cream, custard, sherbet, popsicles