PATIENTS
Surgical Instructions
BEFORE INTRAVENOUS SEDATION
- Unless instructed otherwise, no food is allowed within 6 hours prior to a procedure that is scheduled to take place under intravenous sedation. Clear fluids are permitted until 2 hours prior to your appointment. Staying properly hydrated by drinking plenty of clear fluids up to 2 hours prior to your appointment is encouraged.
- Do not smoke for at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery. To avoid delay in healing or risk of dry socket, smoking should also be avoided for 24 hours following the procedure.
- A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home. In addition, it is strongly recommended that a responsible adult remain present with the patient for at least 12 hours following the procedure.
- Please wear loose fitting clothing with short sleeves, or sleeves that can be rolled up past the elbow.
- Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
- Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
- If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, or stomach or bowel upset, please notify our office prior to your appointment time.
- If you take routine oral medications, please check with our office prior to your surgical date for instructions.
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
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"Post-op Instruction Sheet" |
Any surgical procedure will result in a certain amount of discomfort. Swelling and pain are not abnormal disturbances, but only indications of the healing process. To minimize this discomfort, the directions below must be followed.
- Following most surgical procedures (especially extraction of teeth), gauze will be placed at the surgical site. Keep firm biting pressure on the gauze for approximately 2 hours. If bleeding has stopped after this time, the gauze may be discarded. A slight ooze (enough to tinge your saliva red) is normal. If bleeding persists, place another piece of gauze (moistened with a strong tea solution), or a moistened tea bag over the extraction site, and continue biting pressure for and additional 1 – 2 hours. If brisk bleeding persists beyond these measures, please call our office for additional instruction. If there is a concern with persistent bleeding outside of our normal business hours, you may contact Dr. Caso or Dr. Ash at home.
- Do not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours following an IV sedation procedure, as the medication used may cause impairment.
- Keep firm biting pressure on the gauze which has been placed at the extraction site for approximately 3 - 4 hours or until the anesthetic wears off. If bleeding has stopped after this time, the gauze may be discarded. (A slight ooze, enough to tinge your saliva red is normal.) If bleeding persists, place another gauze (moistened with a strong tea solution) or moistened tea bag over the extraction site and continue biting pressure for and additional 1 – 2 hours. If brisk bleeding persists beyond these measures, call the office or Dr. Caso or Dr. Ash if after business hours.
- Swelling is a normal part of the healing process, and should maximize within 2 - 3 days. Swelling may be reduced by the immediate application of ice or cold packs (insulated with a towel) to the outside of the face over the surgical site. Continue icing the site for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for the first 24 hours.
- Prescriptions should be followed as prescribed by Dr. Caso or Dr. Ash. If no prescription has been written and pain control is desired, any brand of analgesic (Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.) may be taken.
- Mild stomach upset is not uncommon. If present, it is advisable to take prescribed medications with a small amount of food or milk. If nausea persists, one ounce of carbonated water or ginger ale every hour for 5 – 6 hours will usually help to relieve the nausea.
- Beginning the day after surgery, the mouth should be rinsed with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water). Do not spit, but rather let the salt water spill gently out of the mouth. This should be done 6-7 times each day for 7 days. In order to minimize chances of infection or delayed healing, it is very important that the mouth be kept clean during the healing period.
- Approximately 4 hours after an oral surgery procedure, you should be able to take fluids by mouth. Do not rinse the day of surgery, as vigorous action may exacerbate bleeding. A liquid or soft diet may be necessary for the first two days following the surgery. Examples of soft food may include: yogurt, pudding, ice cream, mashed potatoes and gravy, pureed food, cream soups, etc. To ensure proper hydration, an adequate fluid intake of at least 2 quarts a day is essential.
- Do not apply heat to the face after surgery. This will increase the swelling.
- Avoid spitting. This creates a negative pressure in the mouth, and can cause the blood clot to dislodge prematurely -- which may lead to additional hemorrhaging, pain, and delay in healing time.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 24 hours. Physical activity causes the blood pressure to rise and may cause more bleeding.
- Do not use straws for drinking liquids for the first 7 days following the procedure.
- Do not smoke during the first 24 hours following surgery.
Some surgical procedures are more involved than others (for example jaw surgery or impacted wisdom teeth removal). The following conditions are not uncommon after these types of surgical procedures:
- Localized facial discoloration
- Difficulty in opening your mouth
- Pain while swallowing
- Earache on the side of surgery
Lower lip numbness may result following a procedure. This is almost always a temporary condition. It may last from a few days to many months.
Sores may develop at the corners of the mouth. These should be covered with a mild ointment, such as Vaseline.
