Post-operative instructions following Dental and Implant Surgery

It is important to take care of your mouth after surgery to facilitate proper healing. Swelling, discomfort and restricted jaw movements is expected after surgery and should not cause alarm.

Read the following instructions carefully and try to implement them as much as possible:

1. Remove the gauze pack after 1 hour. Do not rinse your mouth, spit, touch the wound or use straw while consuming any liquid. It is essential for you to not smoke or brush your teeth for the first 24 hours. Spitting causes bleeding to occur. Rinsing may dislodge the blood clot. Slight bleeding is expected on the first day. If bleeding is excessive, take a folded gauze pack, place it over the wound and apply pressure for 15-20 minutes and contact the dentist immediately.

2. Take your medicines as prescribed by the dentist as soon as you begin to feel discomfort . This usually coincides with the local anaesthetic losing its effect. Take the medication only after intake of food. Taking medicines on empty stomach is discouraged. If you develop rash, discontinue the medication and contact your dentist.

3. Immediately upon returning home, apply ice to the jaw - 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off and change it frequently. Continue this for first 24-48 hours. After 48 hours ice has no beneficial effect, therefore refrain from it's use. After 48 hours, the application of moist heat to the side of the face where surgery was performed is beneficial to reduce the size of the swelling. Swelling is more likely to occur in the first week post surgery. It is the body's normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. It would gradually diminish.

4. A semi-solid diet rich in proteins and vitamins is recommended for few days. Increase your fluid intake and gradually resume your normal diet. You will feel better, have less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat.

5. Avoid rinsing your mouth on the day of surgery. The day following surgery mouth may be rinsed gently with warm saltwater after meals and at bedtime. Be gentle near the surgical sites. In case you have a history of hypertension - avoid salt and replace it with turmeric.

6. 48 hours after surgery, the teeth should be brushed but avoid brushing the site of surgery. Use of a chlorhexidine mouthwash twice a day for about 1 week will take care of the healing.

7. Smoking is to be avoided for minimum 1 day before surgery and for 3 days following surgery. Smoking can cause bleeding and delay healing.

8. Avoid overexertion and get adequate rest. Avoid sports, exercise or any kind of strenous activity for atleast 2-3 days following surgery.

9. Signs of infection include increased pain and swelling after 3 days, redness, fever, drainage of pus and foul smell. If these occur, contact your dentist. In some cases, discoloration of the skin occurs after the surgery due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence. Moist heat applied to the area after 48 hours may speed up the removal of the discoloration.

10. Sometimes, the sutures dislodge. There is no cause for alarm. The pain & swelling should subside more and more every single day following surgery. If you have been given appointment for post-operative care or suture removal, please return to the office as scheduled.

11. Other concerns:

Numbness of the lip, cheek or tongue is common for 8-12 hours after surgery. Be careful to not bite it while they are still numb.

Slight elevation of the temperature post surgery is not uncommon. If the temperature persists, contact the dentist.

The corners of the mouth get stretched during surgery due to keeping the mouth open for long. They may dry out and crack. So keep them moist with a lubricant or vaseline.

Pain or sore throat is common while swallowing. This will subside in 2-3 days.

Stiffness of the jaws could cause difficulty in opening the mouth for few days after surgery. This is not uncommon and will resolve in time. After 48 hours, use moist heat application to reduce the jaw stiffness and pain.

Every case is unique. No two mouths are alike.

Do not accept well-intended advice from friends and family. Discuss your problems with the persons who would effectively help you out in this regard - your dentist. It is our goal that your recovery is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Carefully follow the above instructions to minimise pain & swelling and to lessen the chances of complications.

If you have questions, about your progress, kindly contact us. We would be happy to assist you.

Dr.Shraddha Karkhanis

BDS, MDS

Periodontist & Oral Implantologist

1 Smile One Care

Contact number - 9820497737

Address - Shop no 3, Arya Kreeda Mandal, Maharshi Karve Road, Naupada, Thane west 400602

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