Surgical Instructions

OMS Surgical Instructions

Before Intravenous Anesthesia Sedation

  • You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.
  • No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, you should stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery. Smoking delays healing and increases the risk of some complications.
  • A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
  • You should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
  • Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
  • Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
  • Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
  • If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
  • If you take routine oral medications, please check with our office prior to your surgical date for instructions.

Post Surgical Instructions

The removal of impacted teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain and the complications of infection and swelling can be minimized if the instructions are followed carefully.

DAY OF SURGERY

FIRST HOUR
Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled. If active bleeding persists after one hour, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30-60 minutes. The gauze may be changed after 30 minutes as necessary and may be dampened and/or fluffed for more comfortable positioning. Keep head elevated.

EXERCISE
Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects or fingers. You may brush teeth gently beginning tomorrow. NO STRAWS. DO NOT SMOKE for at least five days since it is very detrimental to healing.

OOZING
Intermittent bleeding or oozing is normal. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the surgical areas and biting down firmly for 30-60 minutes. Keep head elevated.

STEADY BLEEDING
Bleeding should never be severe. If it is, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between your teeth rather than exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning fresh packs. Keep head elevated. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy, you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in moist gauze) for 20 to 30 minutes. Some oozing is normal for first 24-48 hours. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office or Sacred Heart Hospital (839-4121).

SWELLING
Often there is some swelling associated with oral surgery which will take 24-48 hours to reach peak. You can minimize this by using a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. If you have prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed. After 48 hours it is usually best to switch from ice to moist heat to the same areas.

PAIN
Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain mediation, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you will be able to better manage any discomfort. Effects of pain medicine may vary widely among individuals. Some people may even require two of the pain pills at one time during early stages (but that may add to the risk of upset stomach). Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.


NAUSEA
Nausea is not an uncommon event after surgery, and it is sometimes caused by stronger pain medicines. Nausea may be reduced by preceding each pill with a small amount of soft food, then taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize the pain medications, but call us if you do not feel better or if repeated vomiting is a problem. Cola drinks that have less carbonation may help with nausea.

DIET
Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid hot or spicy foods for the first 24 hours. It is sometimes advisable, but not required, to confine the first day’s intake to bland liquids or pureed foods (creamed soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.) Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., that may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow instructions from us or your physician regarding your insulin schedule.

SHARP EDGES
If you feel sharp edges in the surgical areas with your tongue, it is probably the bony walls which originally supported the teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the first week or two after surgery. They are not pieces of tooth, and, if necessary, we will remove them. Please call the office if you are concerned.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS

MOUTH RINSES
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use one-half teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least two or three times daily for the next five days.

BRUSHING
Begin your normal oral hygiene routine the day after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.

It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office where you had your surgery. Please try to call during office hours (Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Calling during office hours will afford a faster response. If you need to reach the doctor on call after hours or on weekends, please call the office at (715) 834-8414 or 1-800-472-2424 where you will receive a message on contacting the doctor who is on call. He can also be reached through Sacred Heart Hospital at (715) 839-4121.