Patients who have undergone IV sedation should be carefully attended to by a responsible family member or friend for at least 6 hours after leaving the office. The patient cannot drive for 24 hours or while taking narcotic pain medication.
You can expect a certain amount of discomfort with any surgical procedure. This varies with the amount of surgery required. Discomfort is usually well controlled by over-the-counter medication. Depending on the difficulty of the procedure, we may prescribe stronger pain medication. Make sure to eat something before taking any narcotic pain medication. Nausea is the most common side effect. Take all prescribed pain medication as directed.
Bleeding follows any surgical procedure and should not alarm you unless it is excessive or persistent. To control bleeding, we will place a gauze dressing over the extraction site(s) and have you apply firm pressure. This pressure will stop the bleeding.
These are a normal part of the healing process and, unless extreme, are of no significant concern. Early application of ice can help decrease the amount of swelling, which peaks 72 hours after surgery. Place an ice pack to the surgery side of your face in 20-minute intervals for the first 24–36 hours as you feel up to it. (You do not need to do this overnight.) Keep your head elevated on additional pillows. This will also help to reduce the severity of swelling. If at any time you have concerns, please contact our office.
It is important to keep your mouth clean to reduce the risk of infection. Beginning the day after surgery, you can brush your teeth normally. Use the provided soft brush to brush around the surgical sites.
For your comfort, start with clear, cool liquids after surgery. You can advance your diet as you feel up to it once the numbness wears off. Avoid alcohol and do not use a straw or drink carbonated beverages for at least the first 5 days after surgery.
Please avoid all tobacco products for the first 5 days after surgery. Nicotine adversely affects normal healing and increases your likelihood of developing a dry socket.
CALL THIS OFFICE REGARDING ANY CONCERN OR COMPLICATION, including but are not limited to a fever over 101.3°, discomfort not controlled by prescribed pain medications, prolonged or excessive bleeding, or excessive swelling. After regular business hours, contact Drs. Beech or Reid by calling our office answering service at (408) 245-6010 for any concerns.