Impacted tooth exposure?  What to expect...

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After care for exposure of an impacted tooth

 

If a surgical  packing was placed at the exposure site, leave it alone. You will be given instructions on how to care for it during your appointment. The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed and also assists with minimizing bleeding after your procedure. If this packing gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed but do contact our office for instructions.

 

BLEEDING

 

Some bleeding or oozing from the site is normal for the first 24 hours. This can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, do call for further instructions.

 

SWELLING

 

Swelling is a normal response of your body to surgery. To minimize swelling apply the ice pack provided to you in your take home bag for 20 mins on,20 mins off for the first 24 hours.  You may reuse the ice pack by washing it  and refreezing it again.  An alternative to the ice pack is a frozen bag of peas.

 

DIET

 

Drink plenty of cold and nutritious fluids.  Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks, hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery.  Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

 

PAIN

 

Pain and soreness after the procedure starts when the local anesthetic starts to ear off. This is usually takes about 2 hours.  You should begin taking your pain medication before the local anesthetic wears off so that you give the medication sufficient time to work.  This will enable you to experience very little or no pain during your post operative course.  Your prescriptions for pain control are highly regulated and are dispensed based on your individual needs, medical history and the discretion of your doctor.  Kindly, follow all the instructions given to you by your doctor/pharmacist or member of ROMS regarding these medications.  Also, kindly keep these medications in a safe place and out of the reach of children.  This is for the safety of you and your family.

 

ORAL HYGIENE

 

A clean mouth will help you feel more comfortable and will aid in faster healing.  Rinse your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery.  Brush your teeth normally if possible.  Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 4-6 times a day. Continue this  until healing is complete.  Please avoid using alcohol based mouth washes as these may be associated with a burning sensation in the delicate healing oral mucosa.

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ACTIVITY

 

Limit vigorous exercise immediately following surgery.  If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. Surgery might reduce your normal nutritional intake and hence your capacity to exercise.  You might get dizzy or light headed if you exercise too soon after surgery.  You may start working out a week after surgery.  Do ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.