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Post
Surgical Extraction Instructions
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(You may Print
these instructions for your convenience)
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If you need
immediate assistance
please
page Dr. Neuhaus at
847-
421- 0085
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Please
follow these instructions as written. They will add to your comfort and hasten
your recovery. Please read all the instructions thoroughly.
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CONTROL OF
BLEEDING
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When you leave the office continue to bite on the moist gauze
pressure pads constantly for 30 minutes. Change
the gauze pressure pads every 30-45 minutes depending upon bleeding. When
replacing the pads use one or two 2x2 cotton gauze pads, moisten them and
fold them once together and apply gentle pressure over
the extraction site by biting on the gauze. Take your first medications with
water, if prescribed.
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SIX THINGS
NOT TO DO FOR THE FIRST 24 HOURS:
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No
smoking
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No use
of soda straws or carbonated beverages.
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No hot
liquids (lukewarm coffee, tea or soup is fine).
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No
vigorous rinsing with mouthwash or water ( very mild swishing is okay)
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No
spitting - wipe saliva from your lips with tissue.
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No milk
or dairy products if you tend to have an easily upset stomach.
Any of the
above can cause increased bleeding after surgery. Some bleeding following
oral surgery is to be expected. You will notice an oozing for 12 to 24
hours following the surgery. Pressure applied over the surgical areas by
biting on moist gauze pads or moistened tea bags will decrease the
bleeding.
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DIET:
Maintain an adequate diet by eating soft but chewable foods and cool or
room temperature liquids. Chewing soft foods will help prevent muscular
stiffness and you will feel better if you are well nourished. Examples of
a soft but chewable diet are spaghetti, macaroni, casseroles, scrambled
eggs, pancakes, custards, Jell-O, baked potatoes, tender cooked
vegetables, vegetables in soup, noodles in soups. Avoid hard crisp foods
such as raw vegetables, Fritos and Doritos.
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POSTURE AND
POSITION:
From the time you arrive home following surgery until bedtime,
remain in a sitting, semi-reclined well propped up position. The
extraction site may ooze or bleed while you sleep. Place a towel
over your pillow or chair to prevent blood from getting on your furniture.
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PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY:
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Avoid physical exertion or exercise for 24-48 hours. The rule of
thumb is that the first day you are feeling 100 % give yourself one more
day. Exertion will increase blood flow and cause pain in the area of the
surgery.
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SWELLING
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Swelling of
the face following difficult oral surgery is to be expected and is normal.
You may help prevent and decrease the swelling by the proper use of ice
bags for 24 to 48 hours (no longer than 48 hours, please). Apply ice bag
to face for one hour and then remove it for 30 minutes. Repeat this
sequence over and over. Swelling may well last for five to seven days. DO
NOT AT ANY TIME USE A HEATING PAD OR HOT PACKS.
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ORAL
HYGIENE:
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Do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth vigorously for 12
hours following surgery. You must keep your mouth clean starting the day
after surgery by using a soft tooth brush and rinse of 1/2 teaspoon of
salt in an 8 ounce glass of lukewarm water four times a day.
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PRESCRIPTIONS:
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If you received any prescriptions, take them according to instructions. Do
not let anyone else take your drugs. Take all antibiotics (if prescribed)
until they are gone. Remember, no driving or operating heavy machinery
while taking pain medicines.
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STITCHES
(SUTURES):
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If sutures were placed, it was for control of bleeding and to
hasten the healing. You will be given an
appointment for their removal in 5-10 days after extraction.
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Explanation
of Events That May Occur Following
Oral Surgery
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There are
several problems that may occur post-operatively of which our patients
should be aware.
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Swelling can
be anticipated and the patient may have some difficulty in opening and
closing the mouth due to muscle tightness. There is a normal amount of
pain and discomfort which will be helped with medication and time.
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Following an
extraction, the most unpleasant problem is known as dry socket
(alveolitis). This problem occurs in about 10% of patients and
unfortunately cannot be predicted or prevented. A “dry socket”
indicates that the blood clot which was formed at the extraction site is
no longer there which causes pain in the jaw, ear and neck. This is an
uncomfortable situation which usually occurs the 2nd to 6th day after
extraction. Recovery of a “dry socket” takes a week and a half to two
weeks, during this period we can place a medicated dressing in the socket
to help control the pain.
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Another
problem that may arise, but is not very common, is that of a persistently numb lip or
tongue, especially on the lower jaw. The nerve that gives the feeling to
the teeth, the tongue, and the lip runs through the jaw, goes right by,
and many times through the roots of the third molar so that when the third
molar is removed, the nerve is involved. Following the surgery, the lip or
tongue can become numb. This is normally not a permanent situation, but it
usually takes several weeks to months before the feeling returns. As
stated previously, this situation does not occur often.
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Oral wounds
can become infected due to the high bacterial population of the mouth.
Antibiotics are sometimes given for infection and for prevention of
infection. Please call us if you experience severe pain or significant
swelling of your jaw.
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Tiny
fragments of bone (bone
spicules) sometimes work their way through the gum tissue and feel sharp to
the tongue. In most instances they work out on their own, but it may be
necessary for the doctor to help in the removal.
If any
unusual symptoms occur, call our office at once. The proper care following
oral surgical procedures will hasten recovery and prevent complications.
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