After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Do not disturb the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The pack helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out do not get alarmed.

Bleeding

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 30 minutes. A moist tea bag under direct pressure can also be used over the area to help with the bleeding. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes or a bag of “frozen peas” on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously (30 min. on/30 min. off) as much as possible for the first 36 hours.

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. Dr. Vigliante uses long-acting local anesthesia on his patients, allowing them enough time to get comfortable at home, drink some fluids, and begin taking pain medications. Effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. You will usually have a prescription for pain medication, and if you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. It is important not to take the codeine pain medication on an empty stomach as this will cause nausea. Most patients can safely take Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) three (3) 200 mg tablets taken every 4-6 hours shortly after surgery. This treatment has many advantages including decreasing postoperative nausea and decreasing swelling after surgery. If you do not achieve adequate relief with ibuprofen alone, we encourage you to supplement the ibuprofen with the stronger codeine pain medication prescribed by Dr. Vigliante. Some people may even require two of the codeine pain pills at one time during early stages (but that may add to the risk of upset stomach). Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.

Oral Hygiene

Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can, taking care to avoid the surgical site. Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) four times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete. REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are involved in regular exercise, be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising. Remember no exercise the first week, 75% of your normal routine the second week, and 100% the third week. Do not disturb the surgical area the day of your surgery. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects or your fingers. DO NOT SMOKE for at least 72 hours (3 days) prior to or for 1 week after surgery, since it is very detrimental to the healing process. DO NOT suck through a straw for the first 2 weeks after surgery.