BLEEDING – IT IS NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE SLIGHT OOZING FOR 24 HOURS AND PERIODIC BREAKTHROUGH BLEEDING FOR 7 TO 10 DAYS.
A folded gauze sponge has been placed in the area of surgery prior to your leaving the office. Bite on it with constant firm pressure for 1 hour, remove gauze. If there is continued bleeding, repeat with new gauze located in a blue pouch inside your care bag. FIRM BITING, PRESSURE, COLD PACK and a CORRECTLY PLACED gauze pack on the surgical area is the most effective means of stopping bleeding. Do not place a large bulky gauze pack for it will only put pressure on the nearby teeth, and not in the area of bleeding. There is no need to replace the gauze if there is only slight oozing.

**REMEMBER – a drop or two of blood mixed with saliva might seem like a lot of blood. Elevate your head with at least two pillows.

SWELLING – Swelling will be at its greatest 2 days after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or cold pack to the operated side of the face as soon as you arrive home. Apply ice pack/cold pack externally for 15 minutes, and then off for 15 minutes, continue for the first 24 hours. After three days, ice/cold will no longer reduce swelling.

PAIN – Discomfort (moderate or severe pain after any difficult or prolonged surgery) should be expected. Medication could be prescribed to make you comfortable. Severe or sharp pain lasting for more than 3 days is not normal. Please call if you are experiencing this. DRY SOCKET – Could happen 3 to 5 days after surgery to avoid a dry socket:

AVOID VIGOROUS RINSING OR SPITTING
AVOID CARBONATED DRINKS.
NO SUCKING THROUGH A STRAW.
NO SMOKING.

CARE OF THE MOUTH – GENTLY begin warm salt water rinses the day after surgery (1Tbsp to 8oz) at least 4 times daily. Repeat after meals for the next 3 – 4 days.

DIET – Maintain a soft diet until chewing is more comfortable. It is important to maintain a good dietary intake, especially if taking pain medications. Examples: Ensure, Yogurt, Pudding, Chicken Noodle Soup (lukewarm), Mashed Potatoes (lukewarm).

POST OPERATIVE CONDITIONS – Swelling on one or both sides of the jaw. Numbness around the corner of the mouth or tongue. Trismus (tightness of the muscles) due to anesthetic injections and having your mouth open for a pro-longed period of time. Slight earache or sore throat. Skin may become discolored a few days after surgery.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office @ 574-267-6651.
If you have an afterhours emergency please call Dr. Myers directly @ 574-265-6721.