After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
Do not disturb the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed but please contact our office for instructions.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding that rapidly fills your mouth with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Moderate swelling is normal and peaks in 2-3 days then gradually goes down in the next 5-7 days. Mild skin bruising may accompany the swelling. Difficulty in swallowing and inability to open up the mouth widely occurs commonly after surgery secondary to the swelling of the tissues in the area. Chewing soft foods and moving your jaw helps this to gradually improve as the swelling and discomfort go away. Place an ice pack over the area nearest the surgery for 30 minutes on and 10 minutes off for the first 24 hours then discontinue the ice packs.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
Although you may have been prescribed Tylenol #3, which has codeine in it, many people do very well with non-narcotic medications, specifically plain Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Below is the suggested dosing for the first 24-36 hours after your procedure.:
Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 600 mg every 6 hours as needed for pain.
Plain Tylenol, 2 tablets (1000 mg) every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain.
Please note, you can take these together. For example, before the numbness wears off take 600 mg of Ibuprofen and 2 Tylenol together. Then 4 hours later you can take 2 more plain Tylenol. Six hours after the first dose you can take 600 mg of Ibuprofen. So after the first doses together the medications would be staggered. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call our office at Schererville Office Phone Number 219-864-1133.
Oral Hygiene
Oral cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can. Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.