Do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills up with blood) can be controlled by biting 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 it, apply an ice bag, or plastic bag, or towel filled with ice on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply 10 minutes then remove for 10 minutes. Continue this for the first day.
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids, spicy or crunchy food for the first 2 days. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet the third day after surgery.
You should begin taking pain medication before the local anesthetic wearing off when
the surgical wound is still numb.
Take 1 Tylenol extra strength 500 mg and 3 tablet of Advil 200 mg each at the same time.
After four hours take 1 Tylenol extra strength 500 mg. After other four hours take 3 tabs
of Advil 200 mg and continue to alternate those 2 medications over the clock every
4 hours for the first and second day after surgery.
At the third day feel free to manage your pain and take the medications as needed. Do
not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose or playing a wind musical instrument for one week.
If prescribed be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed. Continue to take them for the indicated length of time, even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. Be gentle initially with brushing the surgical areas. Warm salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 3 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. If prescribed, use Peridex Oral Rinse twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.
Keep physical activities to a minimum at least 1 week following surgery. Avoid heavy weight lifting and any kind of strenuous physical activity.