Our dentist and team will provide you with post-op instructions to help you recover from your procedure. We invite you to call Zimbi Dental at 801-745-1100 to schedule your follow-up appointment with Dr. Chad Wagstaff or if you have any questions about your post-op instructions in Eden, Utah. We will be happy to provide you with additional information.
Expectations/Instructions
Bleeding: You will be given gauze pads, which you will probably need to bite on for at least a few hours following surgery. Change the pads every 15 minutes or so. Keep your head elevated and sit up, especially when you sleep or lounge. Get plenty of rest and do not do anything that requires too much exertion, and do not spit or rinse your mouth excessively. Bleeding and oozing can last up to 24 hours. If bleeding is very heavy, replace the gauze with a new pad and apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If needed, a tea bag (regular, not herbal) containing tannic acid may be applied to the site to encourage blood clotting. If bleeding still persists, call our office.
Swelling: Swelling is normal and expected following oral surgery. Most swelling will occur after 48 hours but should diminish by the fifth day after surgery. On the day of surgery during recovery, cold compresses for 10 minutes every half hour for the first 8 to 12 hours should help with the swelling. Cold compresses are no longer effective after the first day, so no need to keep applying them.
Discomfort: Discomfort may begin to settle in once the anesthetic wears off, usually one to two hours after surgery. A long-acting anesthetic may keep you numb for longer. You should not wait for your pain to become severe before taking any prescribed pain medications. Pain medication can take 30 to 45 minutes to take effect, so please take it regularly in order to manage your pain. Pain should diminish gradually over the next few days. If your pain persists after a week, please call us.
Smoking: Smoking needs to be avoided before and during recovery as this can interfere with healing.
Diet: A nutritious diet is essential for proper recovery. On the first day of recovery, eat only liquid or very soft foods, especially while you are still numb. Hard food cause damage to your surgical sites. You can progress to harder foods over the next few days.
Activity: For the first 24 to 48 hours, you should rest. Rigorous activity can increase bleeding or prevent it from stopping. You should also avoid driving a vehicle or participating in any activity that requires you to be alert for at least the first day.
Instructions for the Day After Surgery
1. You may brush your teeth but avoid brushing the surgical area. As your mouth begins to heal, you may brush the surgical area gently. Bristles can be softened with hot water.
2. Use a warm salt-water rinse three to five times per day for five to seven days after surgery (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water).
3. Take prescribed antibiotics as directed in order to prevent infection.
4. We usually use absorbable sutures that will dissolve on their own and therefore do not need to be removed. However, we may recommend that you come in for a follow-up visit just to be sure.
5. Dry socket is a potential problem that may arise as a delayed healing response. The most telling symptom is throbbing pain on the side of the face. In a mild case, pain medication may be all that is needed until the site heals. If the pain persists, please call our office for treatment. To avoid dry socket, do not rinse or spit too much the first day, do not overexert yourself, do not use a straw for at least a week following surgery, and do not smoke.
6. Chewing hard food should be avoided for four to six weeks after surgery. You should also avoid participating in sports in which jaw injury could occur. The jawbone is more fragile after surgery and could break more easily.
7. IV drugs in your system might make you light-headed for a few days, especially during a hot shower. Call our office if there is any inflammation or pain around your IV injection site.
Contact Our Doctor If:
1. Your bleeding is heavy, will not stop and cannot be controlled.
2. Your discomfort is severe and cannot be controlled.
3. Your swelling is severe, enlarging or spreading to other parts of your body after 48 hours.
4. You experience an allergic reaction to your prescribed medications.
