BLEEDING

The first thing you need to do is control your bleeding. If you don’t control your bleeding, you might swallow blood and become nauseated and you won’t be able to eat, drink or take your medicines. Remember some bleeding is normal, but it should be under control within 2 hours.

  1. Bite down on the gauze you leave the office with for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Maintain a steady pressure.  Avoid talking unless through clenched teeth so that you maintain steady pressure on the gauze.
  2. Remove the gauze after that period of time and start a soft diet.
    ** You must get something in your stomach and know you are tolerating it before you can start any medicines. Nothing harder than a plain scrambled egg until your freezing is all gone.
  3. If bleeding is persistent use a moistened black tea bag and wrap tea bag in gauze prior to putting over extraction site (Red Rose, Tetley, etc… all black teas work fine).  Bite steadily for 20 minutes.
  4. After eating, if still bleeding, resume using gauze.  Replace gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding has stopped.

DIET

A soft diet includes foods such as: scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, milkshakes, cottage cheese, yogurt, smoothies, puddings, etc. These examples are good sources of protein, which you need to heal.1. Avoid foods with seeds, nuts or husks for at least 2 weeks as you will not be able to get them out of your sockets.

  1. Popcorn should be avoided for 2 months or longer.
  2. Do NOT suck on anything such as: straws, ice chips, hard candies or popsicles.  These will increase your bleeding.
  3. Avoid anything too hot on surgery day as heat increases your bleeding and you may burn yourself while you still have freezing.

MEDICATION

After you have had something to eat and drink and you know your stomach is fine:

  1. Before your freezing starts to wear off and you notice pain, start taking the analgesic you have been prescribed for pain.
  2. With your prescribed medication take 400mg of Ibuprofen or Motrin (unless contraindicated by your medical history or if Toradol has been prescribed).  This will help reduce swelling.
  3. If prescribed, start antibiotics on the day of surgery.  Do not attempt to take all your medications at once.  Introduce them one at a time.  Your antibiotic is important but does not have to be started immediately upon returning home and can wait until supper or bedtime.

HOMECARE

  1. Now it is time to rest, avoiding strenuous activities for at least 3 days.
  2. Check your mouth for bleeding first.  If needed place new gauze over surgical sites biting continually with even pressure for 20-30 minutes.  Repeat this process as required.
  3. When lying down use an extra pillow to elevate your head. This reduces swelling and bleeding.  If you become dizzy, lie flat until it resolves.
  4. Apply ice to your face for 20 minutes. Frozen peas in a plastic sealable bag, wrapped in a light t-shirt or towel works well. Swelling is to be expected and is at its peak 2 to 3 days after surgery. Icing reduces swelling and should be done as much as possible over the next 3 days. Remember, ice for 20 minutes only and then take a 20 minute break before reapplying ice.
  5. Do not rinse your mouth today.  Rinsing and spitting will make you bleed more.
  6. Brush your teeth and tongue, but wait until bedtime.  Be very gentle and avoid the surgical sites.  Do not floss at the surgical sites.  Do not use over the counter mouth rinses such as Scope, or Listerine.
  7. 24 hours after surgery start a warm salt water rinse (1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup water) after each meal and before bedtime.
  8. Sutures will dissolve in 3 to 10 days.  Sometimes they fall out sooner – that is OK.  If sutures remain after 2 weeks and are bothersome, call us or your dentist to have them taken out.
  9. Dentures or partials should be worn at all times, except for cleaning or rinsing.
  10. Avoid smoking; it increases risk of healing complications.
  11. Report an increase in pain, uncontrolled bleeding, increase or hard swelling, fever or other unusual conditions to the office at 250-598-5643.  If you call after hours please follow the instructions on the message to reach the Oral Surgeon on call.

Please call if you are experiencing any problems after your procedure, or have any questions.

If travelling outside of Victoria, the Province or Canada after your procedure, please be sure to carry adequate medical insurance as costs associated with post operative complications can be significant.  Dr. Nagy will not be responsible for any fees associated with obtaining post operative care elsewhere.

FOR INTRAVENOUS SEDATION PATIENTS

  • DO NOT DRIVE or OPERATE MACHINERY for 24 Hours, or if drowsiness or dizziness persists.
  • DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL for 48 Hours.
  • DO NOT TAKE SEDATIVE DRUGS for at least 24 Hours.
  • DO NOT SIGN OR ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT for 24 Hours.