After the removal of multiple teeth

A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 45-60 minutes. If bleeding continues, a moist tea bag can be used for an additional 45-60 minutes. Elevate your head and avoid hot liquids and exercise. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately. Do not remove the immediate denture (if placed) unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.

If you received a prescription for a pain medication or antibiotic, it is best to begin taking the medication before the local anesthesia wears off. Be sure to take the entire course of antibiotics (if prescribed) as directed. Take the pain medication according to the directions on an as-needed basis after the surgery.

The prescription pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

Drink plenty of fluids. If many teeth have been extracted, the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day.

Do not rinse your mouth for the first post-operative day, or while there is bleeding. After the first day, use a warm salt water rinse every 4 hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated area. (One half teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water).

After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out the denture and rinse 3 to 4 times a day.

Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods for the first few days. The day of surgery you will want to take in plenty of liquies, i.e., Jello, soup, ice cream, yogurt, milkshakes, fruit juices.

If you are comfortable the day of surgery, you may start a soft diet: eggs of any type, French toast, pancakes, mashed potatoes, pasta, meat loaf, ground meats, canned fruits and vegetables; anything you can mash with a fork.

Advance to your normal diet as you are able to tolerate. You may return to your normal diet over the next few days.

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different than the extraction of one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:

The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in 2-3 days. Swelling and discoloration around the eye may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate the discoloration quicker.

The towel should be applied continuously for as long as tolerable beginning 48 hours after surgery (remember ice packs are used for the first 48 hours only).

A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2-3 days.

If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If temperature continues,
notify our office.

If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery and make the necessary adjustments to relieve those sore spots.

Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing process.

Seldom it is necessary to miss work for more than 2 days. Work excuses for more than 2 days will need to be approved by the oral surgeon.