TODAY

1. Keep firm pressure on the surgical area by biting on gauze for one hour following surgery. Eating and drinking may begin after the first hour. You may place additional gauze to provide pressure if needed.

***:______ is the earliest time the gauze can come out, after which you may eat something soft, and start icing (see details below).***

2. Please avoid spitting, sucking through a straw, or smoking for at least 48 hours following surgery.

Doing so may dislodge the clot and create a painful dry socket. Avoid strenuous activity, touching site with fingers, utensils, or other objects. Avoid alcohol, carbonated or hot beverages.

3. Avoid hard or crunchy foods for a minimum of one day. Start with soft foods such as soup, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, applesauce, etc. You may advance your diet as tolerated when healing has progressed.

4. The surgical site may ooze for a minimum of 24 hours following surgery. You should expect your saliva to be pink-tinged during that time.

5. If vigorous, persistent, dark bloody oozing occurs, place extra gauze on the extraction site and bite down for at least one hour. Biting on a moist tea bag will also aid in slowing the bleeding.

6. Place an ice pack on the cheek over the surgical area for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off. This will help reduce the amount of swelling for the first 24-36 hours.

7. Do not skip brushing your teeth (and tongue), but use caution around the extraction site. A clean mouth heals faster! Do not swish or use commercial mouthwash during the healing process.

TOMORROW

1.Rinse 4-6 times per day with warm salt water (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz (1 cup) in water.
2. For swelling and discomfort, you may use moist heat packs (warm washcloth) after the first day. This helps increase the blood flow to the area to accelerate healing.
3. If a syringe was provided to you, flush out lower extraction sites after meals on days 3-7 after surgery.
4. If stitches were placed, they normally dissolve 4-5 days following surgery. If they come out sooner, this is normal and will not delay healing.

DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL DR. FORBES’ OFFICE WITH ANY CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS @ 319-390-3703