Post Procedure Instructions
Proper oral hygiene after surgery is extremely important. Good hygiene facilitates the healing process and helps prevent complications such as infection and dry socket. Please follow these instructions carefully for a smoother recovery.
No smoking, no spitting, no using a straw, no whistling. This could disrupt the incisions and may cause bleeding.
If you had upper molars extracted, or any surgery involving your sinus, you may be placed on “sinus precautions.” This means 2 extra rules in addition to the above: Do NOT blow your nose, and do NOT hold in a sneeze. Adhering to sinus precautions will help the sinus heal properly. Smoking after any procedure will exponentially increase your chances of infection.
Almost all oral surgery causes swelling. The swelling following oral surgery generally peaks somewhere between 48 and 72 hours post procedure. After this period of time, the swelling will start to decrease. Applying ice packs to your face during the first 48 hours after surgery can help minimize swelling. (On for 20 minutes, off for 20 minutes). After 48 hours, please switch to moist heat using the same intervals.
You may rinse out your mouth gently with warm salt water several times a day starting the following morning. No vigorous spitting. It will be especially helpful to rinse after eating. This is in addition to the antibiotic rinse that Dr. Rosenfeld has prescribed.
Your stitches will dissolve in stages. Don’t worry if a stitch comes out earlier than you expect.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid very hot foods and/or liquids. To minimize pain when eating, avoid foods that require heavy chewing. Liquids and soft foods cause less pain and minimize the chance of traumatizing the surgical sites.
Take the medication your doctor has prescribed for pain but do not take it more often than necessary. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, it must be taken regularly for the full course to be effective. Dr. Rosenfeld recommends taking a probiotic supplement when taking antibiotics to protect your gut.
Expect to see a small amount of bloody drainage in your mouth or at the surgical sites. Remember, it is usually going to be blood mixed in with your saliva, so it will look like more blood than it really is. If you are concerned about the amount of drainage, please call the office and speak to Dr. Rosenfeld.
If you had a bone graft, some of the bone graft particles may come loose and you may feel them in your mouth. They feel like grains of sand. It is normal for this to occur for the first several days.
When sleeping, it is best to sleep in a recliner or with your head elevated on several pillows. This will make use of gravity to minimize your postoperative swelling.
Post-operative pain management:
The goal is to take mostly over the counter (OTC) medication to minimize the need for narcotics. The OTCs we prefer are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), and the best way to take them is by alternating them.
When you get home, start with Tylenol (500-1000 mg). 3 hours later take 3 Advil/Ibuprofen (600 mg). 3 hours later take Tylenol (500-1000 mg) again, and so on. Alternate this regimen for the first 24-48 hours following surgery. After that, you can start to wait longer in between medications, depending on how you feel.
At any point during this regimen, if you have more pain, you can take one dose of narcotic pain medication (if Dr. Rosenfeld has prescribed it). If you take it, don’t stop your OTC regimen, as the medications work independently. Continue this regimen for as long as needed. Please don’t take any medication on an empty stomach, as this can cause stomach upset. If you have any allergies to these or any other medications please let Dr. Rosenfeld know.
If you have had IV sedation:
You must have an adult stay with you for the first 24 hours until the effects of the IV sedation have worn off.
Don't perform any hazardous activities. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.
If you are experiencing a true emergency, you may call Dr. Rosenfeld’s emergency line.