Patient Instructions

Instructions Following Dental Surgery

Exercise care:
Do not disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects or your fingers.

Pain:
Please take the first dose of pain medication before the freezing has worn off. Your discomfort will be better managed this way.

If you have not been prescribed pain medication, please take Tylenol extra strength / Advil as per the instructions on the label. If you have been prescribed medication, please take it as directed and avoid operating motorized vehicles and alcoholic beverages.

Bleeding:
Intermittant bleeding and oozing is expected in the first 48 hours. It may be controlled by placing guaze over the surgical site and applying biting pressure for 30-60 minutes. If it continues beyond a reasonable time please contact our office.

Swelling and or bruising:
Swelling and or bruising is normal particularly when sutures are placed. To minimize this apply an ice bag (crushed ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel) against the jaw 20 minutes on 20 minutes off repeating until bedtime.

Following surgery do not brush in the operated area for 48 hours. If there are stitches, avoid brushing in the surgical area until the stitches are removed.

Mouthrinses:
Please start rinsing 24 hours after the surgery rinse 4 – 6 times daily with warm water with salt. Take one cup of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix it in a small jar and use the whole jar to rinse gently over a 5 minute period.

If an antiseptic mouth rinse has been prescribed, please use two times a day until 3 weeks post-surgery.

Avoid using straws, spitting and vigorous rinsing for the first 48 hours.

Monojet syringe:
We may have supplied you with a syringe to help keep your wound clean. After day 5 please fill the syringe with saline/prescription mouthwash.

Insert the curved tip into the wound and gently push the liquid out of the syringe. They syringe should be used 2-3 times a day.

Diet:
Soft foods and plenty of liquids are advisable. Avoid foods that are difficult to chew or that have small seeds that may lodge at the healing site one week.

Antibiotics:
If antibiotics have been prescribed, please complete your entire course as directed every if you are feeling better. Please be aware that oral contraceptives (birth control) may not work while on antibiotics.

Smoking:
Smoking should be avoided for a minimum of one week as it will slow the healing process and increase the risk of a post-operative infection.

If you have sutures / stitches:

No pressure should be applied to the tissues around the stitches.

Avoid muscle traction or other trauma to the operated area for 3 weeks.

Stitches are removed when clinical healing of the tissue is stable and stitches no longer add to wound stability. This is from 1 -3 weeks dependent on the surgery performed. Some stitches are made to dissolve. Dr. Fenn will let you know if she has placed dissolving stitches.