CARE OF THE MOUTH FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY

1. Do not touch or place anything in the tooth socket.

2. Do not rinse or spit out for the first 24 hours. The next day you may rinse out with 1/4 tsp salt mixed in a glass of warm water. Do not use mouthwash (Listerine, Scope, etc.) for one week.

3. Brush your teeth like you normally do, today with water, avoiding the area of surgery for the first day. After that you can brush the area gently.

4. You may eat whatever food you can tolerate. Clear broths, saltines, jello, tea, apple juice are suggested for the first day. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid citrus and carbonated beverages for 24 hours.

5. Avoid jogging, weightlifting and vigorous exercise for one week. This can increase pain and bleeding.

6. Do not smoke for 24 hours after surgery. This interferes with the formation of the blood clot and overall healing.

PAIN

1. Take pain medication as needed for pain starting with the non‑narcotic. It is recommended that pain medication be taken with food or liquid as soon as you get home. This will help to keep you comfortable as the Novocain wears off. Do not use Vicodin or prescribed narcotic unless you have severe

2. You may take an over‑the‑counter pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol instead of the prescription pain medication.

3. If taking narcotic pain medication, you should not drink alcoholic beverages, drive or operate heavy equipment since it can make you drowsy.

4. Narcotics (pain medication) can constipate you. If necessary, take a laxative.

5. The first day or two will be the most painful. You should progressively feel better. If the pain gets worse instead of better, call the office. You may be developing a dry socket which can be helped by having the doctor place a medicated dressing in the socket.

BLEEDING

 1 . Bite down on the gauze placed in your mouth until you get home‑then you may remove it. You do not need any more gauze in your mouth unless you have a problem with bleeding.

 2. Slight bleeding is normal. You may taste blood in your mouth for up to one week. The blood clot is grayish‑white in appearance.

 3. If your mouth fills with blood, place gauze or moistened tea bags at the area of bleeding and bite down hard for 15 to 30 minutes. Sit or lie down while biting on the gauze.

 4. If heavy bleeding continues after biting hard on gauze for 30 minutes, call the office.

 5. If you have dentures control bleeding by biting down hard with dentures in your mouth.

 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Apply ice to jaw‑20 minutes on, 20 minutes off for the first 24 to 48 hours.

2. Swelling is normal. The worst swelling will be in the first 24 to 48 hours. It will gradually go down after 48 hours. Bruising or discoloration on the cheeks and jaw is also normal and can be seen up to 2 weeks after surgery.

3. Sutures have been placed to control the bleeding and hasten healing. They will either be a) removed painlessly or b) dissolve.

4. You. will be numb for 4 to 6 hours. If a long acting Novocain is given, you may be numb for up to 12 hours. Numbness and tingling may occur after having certain surgery‑this is usually temporary and normal feeling will usually return.

5. Take antibiotics until finished. If you develop a rash, diarrhea or any other reactions, call the office.

6. After general anesthesia, IV sedation or nitrous oxide, you should not drive until the next day.

 7. Use Vaseline ointment on your lips.

 8. Leave immediate dentures in your mouth until you see your general dentist or return to our office.

 9. Sinus Instructions

                    a) Do not rinse or spit, suck or blow your nose for one week.

                    b) Use nasal decongestants as needed.

                    c) Sniff back gently and spit out any drainage.

                    d) Take all of your antibiotics.

 10. Incision and drainage instructions a) Rinse your mouth with salt water (1/4 tsp. salt to a glass of water that is as hot as you can stand). b) There is a drain sutured in place. It is the color of a rubber band. Do not pull this out, It will be removed by the doctor once the infection has cleared up, ATTENTION: Medications prescribed for pain and sedation may cause drowsiness, which will be increased by the use of alcohol or other drugs. You are advised to avoid operating any motor vehicle or dangerous devices while taking this medication.

For Patients on Birth Control

ANTIBIOTICS: Antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of Birth Control Pills. Alternative methods of birth control must be used until antibiotics are finished.

FRACTURE CARE

1. While the upper and lower jaws are wired together (for the next 6‑8 weeks), opening and chewing is not possible. A blender or food processor will be necessary in preparing a liquid diet. You will be given a blender diet book, "Drink To Your Health." We strongly suggest that you try a variety of recipes to maintain a balanced diet. Loss of weight is to be expected.  Suggestions: Get a‑ sipper bottle, Carnation Instant Breakfast with whole milk, Ensure Plus diet supplement.

2. Begin rinsing immediately with Peridex or Listerine mouthwash to freshen breath and kill bacteria. Brush your teeth as you normally do. A water pik appliance is helpful in reaching the back of the mouth, as well as keeping the gums in good condition. A child size toothbrush will also be helpful.

3. Remember if you am choking/vomiting it will be liquid and should pass through your teeth. If your wires have been cut you must call the office as soon as possible and make an appointment to have the wires put back on.  We are giving you wax strips.  If the wires are making the inside of your mouth sore, break off small pieces of wax and cover the wires up.  Sugarless gum softened in warm water may also be used

4. Use Vaseline, or Blistex lip balm on your lips to keep them moist

5. Avoid lifting, jogging or any contact sport while your jaw is wired and for 3months after your jaw has healed.

PAIN AND INFECTION

 1. The first two weeks will be the most painful. Pain and swelling will decrease as healing progresses.  We recommend you sleep with your head elevated.  Use ice on the swollen areas for at least 24 hours.

 2. Take pain medication as needed for pain. It is recommended that pain medication be taken with liquids as soon as you get home. This will help keep you comfortable as the numbness wears off.

 3. You may take an over the counter pain medication such as Extra Strength Tylenol elixer or aspirin instead of the prescriptions pain medication. You will also be given a Liquid Antibiotic as a protection against infection. If you develop a rash or any other reaction, call the office.

 4. You may be taking a liquid narcotic pain medication.  You should not drink alcoholic beverages, drive or operate heavy machinery, since it can make you drowsy.

 5. A long acting Novocain has been used. You may be numb (have no feeling in your Jaw) for up to 6‑12 hours, or longer if nerve damage occurred from the break in your Jaw.

After general anesthesia, IV sedation or nitrous oxide, you should not drive until the next day.

IMPORTANT:  Your Jaw can become infected and Jaw function can be permanently impaired if these instructions are not followed. You may then require extensive additional surgery and hospitalization. All of which may never return your Jaws to normal function or appearance.