After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding which results in your mouth filling rapidly with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 45 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 24 – 48 hours, alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.

Drink plenty of fluids. Stick to soft foods and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed. Avoid hot foods until the local anesthetic (numbing medicine) has worn off, so that numb tissues will not receive a heat injury.

You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, take ibuprofen and tylenol as prescribed. For additional pain, use the narcotic pain medication as prescribed. Avoid taking narcotic pain medications on an empty stomach, as this may contribute to nausea and/or vomiting. Always follow the instructions given to you by Dr. McDonald.

Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth carefully while avoiding direct contact with the surgical site. Rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) four to six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.

REMEMBER: A clean wound heals more quickly and with less discomfort.

Minimum immediately following surgery to avoid throbbing and bleeding.