After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
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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. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. The ice packs should be used in a 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off fashion for the first 48 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
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength. Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. However, if 800 mg Ibuprofen was prescribed for you, take that instead of the over the counter product.
For severe pain, the prescribed narcotic medication should be taken as directed on the pharmacy label. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.
Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding pain medications.
Activity
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.
Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to gently rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day, as well, especially after meals. Be gentle initially when brushing the surgical areas.
REMEMBER
A clean wound heals better and faster!