Bleeding
A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, do not drink hot liquids, become excited, sit upright, and avoid exercise. Do not remove immediate denture unless the bleeding is severe, expect some oozing around the side of the denture. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions.
Swelling
The swelling that is normally expected is usually proportional to the surgery involved. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become apparent until the day following surgery and will not reach its maximum until 2-3 days post-operatively. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Two baggies filled with ice, or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be left on 20 minutes on 20 minutes off while awake. After 48 hours, ice has no beneficial effect. If swelling or jaw stiffness has persisted for several days, there is no cause for alarm. This is a normal reaction to surgery. Forty-eight hours following surgery the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is beneficial in reducing the size of the swelling. Pain
For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) four 200mg. tablets may be taken every 8 hours.
For severe pain take the tablets prescribed for pain as directed. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, finish your prescription regardless of your symptoms.
Diet
Drink plenty of liquids. If many teeth have been extracted the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day. Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods, which are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal you will be able to advance your diet.
Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse your mouth for the first day, or while there is bleeding. After the fist day, use warm salt water rinse every 4 hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris which may lodge in the operated area, (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, 8 oz.). After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out denture and rinse 3 or 4 times a day.
Other Complications
The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
- A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2-3 days.
- If the corners of your mouth are stretched, they may be dry and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline.
- There may be a slight elevation in temperature for 24-48 hours. If temperature continues notify our office.
- If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery and make the necessary adjustments to relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture spots, which may prolong the healing process.
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