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Home Care Instructions

Syringe Instructions

First Week Following Surgery

• Do not use syringe
• Rinse mouth with salt water and prescription rinse as described in the home care instructions.

Second Week Following Surgery

• Begin using syringe.
• Fill the syringe with tap water and irrigate lower sockets. (the upper sockets heal fast and don’t need additional care)
• Flush lower sockets after meals and bedtime. (4-6 times per day)
• Continue for one week and as needed after that

Mouth Care

Immediately following your surgery

• When you get home, remove the gauze. Do not replace unless you see active bleeding (pooling/dripping).
• Begin brushing your teeth the evening of surgery.
• Avoid rigorous exercise and get adequate rest for the first two to three days.
• If antibiotics are prescribed, please begin taking these the day of surgery. If you are nauseated, wait until the next day.
• Do not drive for 24 hours after having I.V. anesthesia. Do not drive while taking a prescription pain medication (not including prescription ibuprofen).
• For the first 7 days, avoid smoking, spitting, drinking with straws, or vigorous rinsing.

1. Bleeding: Some oozing may continue for the first 24-48 hours and is not unexpected. If bleeding persists, apply the gauze directly over the extraction site and bite down firmly for 30 minutes. You may remove the gauze to eat or drink and replace if needed.
2. Swelling: Apply ice packs on and off for 30 minutes for 24 to 48 hours after your surgery, excluding overnight, to the outside of your face over the surgery site(s). Do not apply heat. Swelling is to be expected following surgery and peaks 2-3 days after. Elevating your head in the first 48 hours will minimize swelling.
3. Tobacco: Do not smoke or use tobacco products for 7 days. Smoking greatly increases your risk of infections and dry sockets and will delay healing.
4. Rinses: Beginning the day after surgery, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of warm water. Rinse four times per day (after meals and before bed) for one week. If given a prescription mouth rinse, use that in addition to salt water rinses for one week, starting the day of surgery.
5. Diet: After surgery while you are still numb, eat cool, soft foods. Once numbness wears off, eat any diet you can tolerate excluding peanuts, popcorn, chips, and other crunchy foods that are likely to become “stuck” in extraction sockets.
6. Rest & Fluids: After I.V. anesthesia, drink plenty of fluids. Be sure to get 8-10 hours of sleep at night. Do NOT use straws for one week following surgery.
7. Pain: If given prescription ibuprofen, take as directed. Otherwise we recommend 600 mg (three over-the-counter ibuprofen) immediately after surgery and then every 6 hours for two to three days. The stronger pain medication may be used in addition if necessary (make sure to take with food to avoid nausea).
8. Fever: A low grade fever is likely. If questionable, do not hesitate to call.
9. Nausea: Nausea may occur following general anesthesia. Treat with clear liquids and advance diet as tolerated. If vomiting is a problem, call our office.
10. Stitches: If stitches were used, they are usually dissolvable. You will be advised by our office if you have sutures that require removal at a later appointment.
11. Dry Sockets: Soreness is common for the first couple of days after surgery. If pain increases (throbbing, waking up at night) after 3-6 days, call our office.
12. Numbness: We often use a long-acting local anesthetic that may remain in effect the entire day.

Emergency Calls

If you have questions or concerns, please call our office between the hours of 7am to 4pm Monday through Friday. If you have an emergency, please call our office; if during non-business hours, the answering service will contact the doctor on call. We do not refill pain pill prescriptions during the evenings or weekends.

Sinus Care

Located in the upper jaw are two large cavities, one on each side. These are called sinuses (maxillary sinuses). The upper back teeth extend their roots next to, and sometimes into, these sinuses.

These sinuses nor mally open only into the nose. However, in the course of removing teeth or per for ming other surgery in the area, an opening may develop into the mouth as well. The size of the opening, and the complications that may follow, depend upon the circumstances in a particular case. In only a very small number of such instances is it necessary to per for m additional surgery to close the resulting defect.

If the opening is large enough to be detected at the time of surgery, the oral surgeon may attempt to close over the defect right away. Signs of an opening that you might notice would include:

• Bleeding from the nose
• Appearance of fluids in the nose on drinking.
• Escape of air into the mouth on blowing the nose.

In order to minimize the possible need for corrective surgery, you are asked to observe certain precautions.

1. Avoid blowing the nose, coughing, sneezing or exhaling vigorously through the nose.
2. Take decongestants and antibiotic in accordance with instructions. Antibiotic drugs may be prescribed as a preventative measure or to combat an infection.
3. Follow instructions for mouth rinses and oral hygiene.
4. Eat a well balanced diet.
5. Get adequate rest.
6. Be patient as the opening may persist for some time.

Dental Implants Care

1. Swelling and bruising can and often occur in varying degrees from patient to patient. Use cold packs at 30 minute intervals the first day after surgery. Start immediately following your procedure. Using the ice prior to swelling increases its effectiveness and minimizes the severity. Don’t wait...use the cold pack even if no swelling is noticeable.
2. Blood in your saliva is normal for the first day or so, however, if you should have excessive bleeding, place pressure on the area with gauze we have provided for you, or a moist tea bag. The pressure should be applied for approximately 25-40 minutes. If the bleeding should continue or is alarmingly heavy, contact our office. Keeping your head elevated while sleeping or when lying down also helps.
3. You will be given a prescription for an antibiotic. Start the day of surgery and take as directed.
4. Should you feel discomfort, you can use Ibuprofen (if not allergic) 600-800mg, three times a day with food. (Do not exceed 2400mg a day.) You may be given a prescription for a stronger pain medication. Take as directed if needed.
5. You will be given a prescription for an antibacterial mouthwash. Start the evening of surgery and use as directed. Begin war m salt water rinses the day following surgery. Rinse 4-6 times daily for one week.
6. Brush and floss your remaining teeth as usual, but use caution around sutured area. Do not use a Water-Pik or any type of electric toothbrush until instructed by your doctor.
7. Leave your partial(s) or denture(s) out (when applicable) unless otherwise instructed.
8. If you are having upper jaw implants placed, it is not unusual to have a minor nosebleed within the first few days following the procedure. If this continues, call the office.
9. Limit strenuous activities, such as jogging, for approximately two to three days following your procedure. You may resume normal daily activities, such as work, the day following your procedure unless otherwise instructed.
10. Smoking and alcohol should be avoided for three weeks following your procedure, as these severely affect the healing process.
11. Diet following implant placement should be soft foods, chewing only in the areas where you have natural teeth remaining. Do not chew in the area(s) of the sutures. Also avoid things such as popcorn and food with small seeds, as these tend to get lodged in the sutures. Continue with this diet until the sutures are removed or otherwise instructed.
12. Full mouth replacement: You should stay on a soft diet for the first week following your procedure. You may increase the texture of your food after the first week. You will receive specific instructions about this from your doctor.
13. Should you have any questions or problems, you can contact our office 24 hours a day.