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 it was only intended to be a temporary step in your surgery recovery. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons will give you instructions for your exposure of an impacted tooth recovery. For questions and concerns please contact the oral pathologists of Wichita OMS.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours after an impacted tooth exposure. Excessive bleeding that 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 is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 36 hours.
Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the surgical site as much as possible. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
You should begin taking prescribed anti-inflammatory medication (Motrin) as soon as you begin drinking fluids or eating. The local anesthetic will typically stop being effective within hours. Your surgeon may choose to utilize long-duration local anesthetics in specific cases of an impacted tooth exposure surgery. If so, the duration of anesthesia may be six to eight hours. If you experience severe pain, the prescribed narcotic pain medication should be taken as directed.
Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can. You should be very gentle in the area of your surgery. Rinse with warm salt water (one-eighth teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) frequently.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. Treadmill walking and recumbent bicycling are acceptable the first few days. If you choose to exercise vigorously (running, weight lifting or aerobics, for example), throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this happens, you should discontinue exercising. If you get light headed, stop exercising.
Follow all surgery recovery instructions to give your body the best chance to heal.