Care following oral surgery

If you are in doubt about anything, please call 514 542-3368 between 9:00 am to 4:30 pm or 514 827-3368 after 4:30 pm.

The day of the operation:

For the first hour change gauze as needed and bite down to apply pressure.
If more than slight bleeding persists, repeat this procedure with gauze or a damp tea bag.
Do not lie flat. Keep head elevated and sleep with 2-3 pillows.
Apply ice bags to area (15 minutes on, 30 minutes off) for 48 hours.
Drink and eat only cool, soft food such as ice cream, pudding, jell-o, and yogurt.
Avoid rinsing, spitting, smoking, drinking with a straw and brushing teeth.
Apply Vaseline to lips if sore.
TAKE IT EASY.

The following days:

Brush gently after meals, excluding the surgical site and stitches.
Add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and use as mouthwash and to “bathe” the surgical area.
Stitches will self–dissolve in 3-4 days unless otherwise notified.

Medications:

IBUPROFEN (oval orange tablet):
Take one before or immediately after surgery then every 6-8 hours as needed

OXYCOCET / EMPRACET (round white tablets):
Take every 4 hours as needed for pain. If also taking Ibuprofen, then use only if adequate pain relief is not obtained with the ibuprofen

AMOXICILLIN / CLINDAMYCIN (yellow/red capsules) (purple/blue capsules):
Start either before or immediately after surgery and take 1 tablet every eight hours

The following can be expected to occur normally in proportion to the type of surgery involved:

Swelling: Should be the greatest the second or third day after surgery and then slowly recede

Discoloration: Black, blue or yellow areas may develop

Bleeding: Very slight oozing of blood may occur up to a few days following surgery

Discomfort: Difficulty in opening the mouth widely may occur and will improve after 4-5 days

Nausea/vomiting : May occur occasionally due to sedative agents or certain pain medications. Stop any narcotic type of pain medication. You may take Gravol and start eating after a short period with clear liquids.