Post Op Instructions
Post Op Instructions for Oral Surgery patients (Dr. Edward Drescher)
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
In some cases the after effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply. Common sense will often indicate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office anytime for clarification.
DAY OF SURGERY
FIRST HOUR
Bite down gently and firmly on the gauze packets that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in one place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled. If active bleeding persists after 1 hour, place enough of the new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30-60 minutes. The gauze may be changed as necessary and may be dampened and/or fluffed for more comfortable positioning.
EXERCISE CARE
DO NOT disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any object or your fingers. DO NOT brush your teeth for 24 hours. DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, as it is extremely detrimental to healing. DO NOT lift heavy objects for 48 hours.
OOZING
Intermittent bleeding or oozing is normal. It may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the surgical area and biting down firmly for 30-60 minutes.
STEADY BLEEDING
Bleeding should never be severe. If it is, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between your teeth rather than exerting pressure on the surgical area. Try repositioning fresh packs. If the bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in moist gauze) for 20-30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office. After hours, please call Dr. Drescher at (203)257-5273.
SWELLING
Often there is some swelling associated with oral surgery. You can minimize this by using a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed. After 24 hours, it is usually best to switch from ice to moist heat to the same areas.
PAIN
Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. Effects of pain medicines vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief, you may supplement each pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or an acetaminophen. Some people may even require two of the pain pills at one time during early stages (but that may add to the risk of upset stomach). Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.
NAUSEA
Nausea is not an uncommon event after surgery, and it is sometimes caused by stronger pain medicines. Nausea may be reduced by preceding each pill with a small amount of soft food, then taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to take clear fluids and minimize the pain medication, but call us if you do not feel better or if repeated vomiting is a problem. Drink ginger ale as this helps with nausea.
DIET
Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Temperature of the food doesn’t matter, but avoid extremely hot foods. Sometimes it is advisable, but not required, to restrict the first day’s intake to bland liquid or puree food (creamed soups, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.) Avoid foods such as nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc. that may become lodged in the socket area. Over the next several days you can progress to solid foods at your own pace. It is important not to skip meals. If you take nourishment regularly, you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits as much as possible and follow instructions from us, or your physician regarding your insulin schedule.
STRAWS
Do not use straws for at least one week following surgery.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS
MOUTH RINSES
Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use one-quarter teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as you like, but at least two or three times daily for the next five days.
BRUSHING
Begin your normal hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing of all areas, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the boundaries of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS
Apply warm compressions to the skin overlying areas of swelling (hot water bottle, moist hot towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe the tender area. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
SYRINGE
If you were given an irrigating syringe at your first check-up visit, start using it the third day after the surgery to keep the sockets clean. Fill it with warm water and irrigate any open sockets gently, especially after eating.
DRY SOCKETS
If you experience a noticeable, distinct, persistent throbbing pain in the jaw, often radiating toward the ear and forward along the jaw to cause other teeth to ache, a DRY SOCKET has occurred. A dry socket is a loss of blood clot from the socket. (If it’s going to happen it will usually occur on the 3rd to 5th day). Call the office immediately and report symptoms so you can be seen as soon as possible.
HEALING
Normal healing time after tooth extraction should be as follows:
The first day of surgery is usually the most uncomfortable and there is some degree of swelling and stiffness.
The second day you will usually be far more comfortable and, although still swollen, you can usually begin a more substantial diet.
From the third day on GRADUAL, STEADY IMPROVEMENT should mark the remainder of the post-operative course
If you do not see steady improvement during the first few days after surgery, don’t suffer needlessly – call our office at (845)565-6677. After hours call Dr. Drescher at (203)257-5273.
Post Op Instructions for Oral Surgery patients (Dr. David Zelig)
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
***Please Read All of these instructions carefully***
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our number is (845)565-6677. Or you may reach Dr. David on his cell phone (901)337-7741.
DAY OF SURGERY
FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The gauze may then be changed as necessary (typically every 30-45 minutes). It is best to moisten the gauze with tap water and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning.
EXERCISE CARE: Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush you teeth gently. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30-45 minutes at a time.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between teeth only and are not exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in a moist gauze) for 20 or 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with a analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require two of the pain pills at one time. Remember that the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen. If you find you are taking large amounts of pain medicine, or if you anticipate needing more medication, please call the office during weekday business hours so we can have the doctor adjust the prescription.
NAUSEA: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food, and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications, but please call us if you do not feel better. Classic Coca Cola may help with nausea.
DIET: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, mild shakes, etc.). it is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., which may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
SHARP EDGES: If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS
MOUTH RINSES: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use ¼ teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least 2 or 3 times a daily.
BRUSHING: begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office. If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first 5 days. Then use it daily according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that there is no chance of any food particles lodging in the socket.
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will help you recover quickly, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Calling during office hours will afford a faster response to your question or concern. PLEASE NOTE: Calls for narcotic (pain killer) prescription renewals are ONLY accepted during office hours.
Post Op Instructions for Periodontal patients (Dr. Fernando Ehrhardt)
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
***Please Read All of these instructions carefully***
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our number is (845)565-6677. Or you may reach Dr. Ehrhardt on his cell phone (917)572-4364.
Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry - University of Maryland, Baltimore
DAY OF SURGERY:
FIRST HOUR: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The gauze may then be changed as necessary (typically every 30-45 minutes). It is best to moisten the gauze with tap water and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning.
EXERCISE CARE: Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush you teeth gently. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause a dry socket.
OOZING: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30-45 minutes at a time.
PERSISTENT BLEEDING: Bleeding should never be severe. If so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between teeth only and are not exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeezed damp-dry and wrapped in a moist gauze) for 20 or 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
SWELLING: Swelling is often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
PAIN: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine causes nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chances for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with a analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require tow of the pain pills at one time. Remember tat the most severe pain is usually within six hours after the local anesthetic wears off; after tat your need for medicine should lessen. If you find you are taking large amounts of pain medicine, or if you anticipate needing more medication, please call the office during weekday business hours so we can have the doctor adjust the prescription.
NAUSEA: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause. Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food, and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications, but call us if you do not feel better. Classic Coca Cola may help with nausea.
DIET: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (soups, puddings, yogurt, mild shakes, etc.). it is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc., which may get lodged in the socket areas. Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly you will feel better, gain strength, have less discomfort and heal faster. If you are a diabetic, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.
SHARP EDGES: If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS
MOUTH RINSES: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use ¼ teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking five minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least 2 or 3 times a daily.
BRUSHING: begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.
HOT APPLICATIONS: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.
HEALING: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: The first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there is usually some swelling. On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post-operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office. If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first 5 days. Then use it daily according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that there is no chance of any food particles lodging in the socket.
It is our desire that your recovery be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have questions about your progress, please call the office. Calling during office hours will afford a faster response to your question or concern. PLEASE NOTE: Calls for narcotic (pain killer) prescription renewals are ONLY accepted during office hours.
Post-Whitening Care Instructions
Congratulations! You’ve just experienced a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. The next 48 hours are important in enhancing and maximizing your whitening results for a long lasting, bright and healthy smile.
For the next 48 hours, dark staining substances should be avoided, such as:
- Coffee and/or tea
- Cola
- Berry pie
- Tobacco products
- Red wine
- Red sauces
- Mustard or ketchup
- Soy sauce
Additional ways to maintain your sparkling Zoom smile:
Ø Avoid staining related habits.
Ø Use an automatic toothbrush.
Ø Seek regular professional dental hygiene care to maintain oral health, keep staining to a minimum and determine the need for whitening touch-ups.
Ø Practice good oral hygiene including thorough tooth brushing, flossing to remove debris from between the teeth, and tongue cleaning. Your dental professional will assist you in selecting the products to maintain not only a white smile, but a healthy one as well!