Wisdom Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, Silicon Valley
Please refrain from disturbing the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area of the wound on the day of surgery. You may notice a metal healing abutment protruding through the gum tissue.
Bleeding
It is normal to experience some bleeding or redness in the saliva for the first 24 hours after the procedure. If you notice excessive bleeding where your mouth quickly fills with blood, you can control it by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If the bleeding continues heavily, please call for additional instructions.
Swelling
It is common to experience swelling after surgery. To reduce swelling, place an ice pack or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice on the cheek near the surgical site. Keep the ice on continuously for the first 36 hours, if possible.
Diet
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. Avoid consuming hot liquids or food. Stick to soft foods and liquids on the day of your surgery. Resume your normal diet as soon as you can, unless instructed otherwise.
Pain
Please start taking pain medication when the local anesthetic wears off. For moderate pain, you can take one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol every 3-4 hours. Alternatively, you can take Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: you can take 2-3 tablets four times daily, not exceeding 3200mg daily for adults. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take both medications at the same time.
For severe pain, take the prescribed medication as directed. Do not take any of the above medications if you are allergic to them or have been advised not to by your doctor. Avoid driving or operating machinery, and refrain from consuming alcohol. Pain should gradually decrease each day after surgery. If pain persists, contact the office for further assistance.
Antibiotics
Make sure to follow the instructions and take the prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
Oral Hygiene
Proper oral hygiene is crucial for a speedy recovery. On the night of your surgery, make sure to use the Peridex Oral Rinse as prescribed before going to bed. The day after surgery, use the Peridex twice a day - once after breakfast and once before bed. Remember to rinse for at least 30 seconds and then spit it out. Additionally, use warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) at least 4-5 times a day, especially after meals. When brushing your teeth and healing abutments, be gentle, especially in the surgical areas.
Activity
After surgery, it is important to limit physical activities to avoid throbbing or bleeding. If you experience these symptoms while exercising, stop immediately. Remember that your body may not be receiving normal nourishment, which can weaken you and make it harder to exercise.
Wearing your Prosthesis
During the pre-operative consultation, it was advised that partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures should not be worn for at least 10 days following surgery.
