Post-Operative Care Instructions

The Day of Surgery

Take gauze out of your mouth when you get home.
Wrap a dry cloth around some ice packs. Apply the ice packs firmly to the jaws on the outside of your face (in the areas where teeth were removed). Continue to use the ice packs for 24-48 hours after your surgery.
Expect some bleeding or oozing from the surgical sites for 1-2 days. If excessive bleeding develops, please follow these steps:
- Rinse your mouth and wipe away any visible old blood clots.
- Place a gauze pad over the area and apply pressure by biting firmly on the gauze for one hour. Repeat as necessary.
- If bleeding continues, bite firmly on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes.
- If bleeding does not subside, please call our office or go to the emergency room.
Eat whatever you want and what is comfortable for you. It may be easier to start with soft foods and work up to foods that require more chewing.
Do not smoke.
Do not rinse your mouth vigorously for 24 hours after your surgery.
Take the pain medicine and/or antibiotics as prescribed on the bottle.
Restrict your activities the day of surgery. Start to resume normal activities as your feel comfortable beginning on the day after surgery.
Make sure you do not get dehydrated. Make sure you take in enough fluids as you recover from surgery. High-calorie and sugar-containing drinks are the best. Approximately 5-6 glasses of liquids should be taken in each day.
If you suddenly sit or stand from a lying position, you may become dizzy. To avoid this, make sure you sit for one minute prior to standing.
All diabetics should monitor their blood glucose levels closely since you will be on an altered diet. This should also be done throughout the entire healing process.
Patients shoud continue to take their previously prescribed medications as normal unless otherwise instructed by their physicians.

The Day After Surgery

Begin using warm salt water rinses the day after surgery. Rinse your mouth 4-5 times a day.
***Use 1 teaspoon of salt per 8-ounce glass of water.
Begin brushing your teeth and the surgical sites with a soft toothbrush. Expect mild discomfort and some bleeding/oozing when this is done.
Make sure to keep your post-operative appointment so that we can make sure you are healing well. This appointment is usually one week after surgery.

Beaufort Oral Surgery
Hospital Medical Park
968 Ribaut Road
Suite #3
Beaufort, SC 29902
Office: (843) 525-0900
Fax: (843) 525-0380
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