General Pre-Operative Instructions
For Patients Undergoing IV Anesthesia:
- Avoid ALL aspirin and any products containing aspirin, for four days prior to surgery.
- Completely abstain from eating and drinking (even water!) for six hours prior to your appointment.
- If you're taking medicine that must be taken during this 6-hour fasting period, take it with just a tiny sip of water.
- Choose a responsible adult friend to accompany you to the office, remain at the office during your procedure, drive you home after your surgery, and stay with you in your home for 24 hours after your procedure.
- If you're a minor, your parent or guardian must accompany you throughout your appointment.
- You must not drive any vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following your anesthesia.
- When you dress for your appointment, please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up past your elbow, and low-heeled or flat shoes. You must remove contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures at the time of surgery as well.
Post Oral Surgery Instructions
Following these instructions will make you more comfortable and help prevent complications. If there are complications, we do have a 24-hour answering service.
- FIRST HOUR - Maintain firm pressure on the gauze. Remove when saturated or when you want something to eat or drink. A spoon should be used with thick milk shakes. Sit upright or be on two pillows. Avoid excessive talking or spitting.
- BLEEDING - Some oozing is normal. The bleeding will slowly subside over the first 12 hours. If persistent, dampen a small tea bag or gauze pad and place directly over the surgery site. Maintain firm pressure for 30 minutes. Replace gauze when saturated. Pressure controls bleeding.
- SWELLING - Some swelling is expected after certain surgical procedures, especially removal of the wisdom teeth. Use of ice packs on each side the first 48 hours will help prevent swelling.
- PAIN - Any surgery results in some discomfort. The prescribed medication will usually keep this to a minimum. Take the first dose within 2 hours and then as prescribed. It takes about 45 minutes for the medication to take effect. Advil may be added for additional effect. Most of the discomfort should be gone after the second day. Try to call our office during office hours if discomfort persists.
- DIET - Soft foods and liquids are best the first day. Maintain a soft diet for several days and gradually progress to solid food.
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- ORAL HYGIENE - A clean mouth reduces swelling and promotes healing. DO NOT rinse mouth today. We do not want the blood clot in extraction site to be disturbed. After 24 hours, start brushing and flossing the teeth with moderation, and rinsing with warm salt solution for 1 week after surgery. (1 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of warm water.)
- STIFF JAWS - After the first day, gently stretch your mouth open several times a day.
- REST - Get as much rest as possible the first few days.
- FEVER - A low grade fever is not unusual. Fever is often a sign of an insufficient amount of liquid.
- NAUSEA - The medication used during and after surgery may cause nausea in a few people. DO NOT take medication on an empty stomach. If you do become nauseated, avoid milk and other dairy products. Progress to clear liquids and then soft foods.
- SMOKING - Avoid smoking for 7 days.
- “DRY SOCKET” - This is a painful condition arising 3 - 7 days after the removal of difficult or impacted teeth. If pain is not relieved by your pain medication, or is worsening, please call the office (during office hours, if possible, so we can better assist you).
- Medrol Dose Pack - If prescribed, take all six of the first day’s pills the afternoon and evening of the day of surgery.
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