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| Post Operative Care |
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Genreal
Information.
We know that the upcoming surgical appointment is a source of anxiety and
apprehension for some patients. Rest assured, we will do everything we can
to make you as comfortable as possible during and after the procedure. There
should be no discomfort during the procedure itself; today's modern local
anesthetics are very effective. Nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) and/or
Valium (by prescription only) is also available at your request.
We will answer any questions you have before, during, or after the procedure,
as well as review post-operative care with you when the surgery has been
completed.
Remember, you can reach someone from our office at any time if you have questions
or a problem post-operatively. 425-453-1010
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Before
Your Surgery.
You may have been given a prescription for an antibiotic or an anti-flammatory
to begin taking the day before your surgery. It is important to take all
of the prescription.
If you are taking aspirin, please discuss this with the doctor. Aspirin can
interfere with normal blood clotting. We may suggest that you bring a milkshake
or stop to get one on the way home. Eating a high protein meal before the
surgical appointment will make you feel better during and after the procedure. | |
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Discomfort.
Mild to moderate discomfort can be expected following most periodontal and
implant surgical procedures. Most of the discomfort occurs during the first
24 hours. You may have been given several prescriptions. Be sure to follow
the directions on the bottles carefully. Pain medication should be taken
with food to help minimize the chances of nausea (one of the most common
side effects of analgesics). If pain medication is too strong or causing
uncomfortable side effects, a non-aspirin compound such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen
(Advil) may suffice.
On the second day discomfort will not be as severe as the first day. Sometimes
on the third day, you will feel more uncomfortable. This is part of the normal
healing process. The teeth may become sore to bite on, therefore, soft foods
are recommended. Please do not "clench or grit" your teeth together as this
will increase the discomfort (it is typical to try to "feel" the teeth with
the opposing teeth since they feel different after surgery) -all of this
is normal!
The discomfort will come and go for the first week (some days will be more
comfortable than others).
Many patients feel tired for one to four days after surgery. Please follow
the dietary recommendations as this will help you feel better and recover
more quickly.
A minor elevation in your body temperature may be noticeable after surgery.
This is normal and will disappear within 48 hours. | |
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Swelling.
Swelling may occur as part of the healing response. However, to minimize
swelling we recommend the use of cold application immediately following surgery.
You can use an ice pack of any kind and wrap it in a thin towel (even a bag
of frozen peas will work). Place the cold pack on the area for 15-20 minutes
then take it off for 15-20 minutes and repeat as often as possible the first
24 hours. This will help minimize the swelling and discomfort in the surgical
area.
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Dressing.
The material that may have been placed around your teeth is a surgical dressing
called periodontal packing. The packing will harden within 2 hours following
placement. Please avoid drinking anything hot during this 2 hour period as
well. This material is placed over surgical site primarily for your comfort.
Therefore, if some is lost, it will usually not alter the healing. If there
is a question about whether the packing should be replaced please call. It
is often difficult to keep surgical dressings in place and some may be lost
as time goes on. In general, if it feels comfortable it does not need to
be replaced. With some surgeries the packing must stay in place for a full
week. We will inform you about this.
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Smoking.
Smoking is an irritant and delays healing. The more you smoke, the slower
the healing will be. Please try to minimize smoking as much as you can. We
would strongly recommend against any smoking for the first 24 hours post-operatively
because excess bleeding may occur. | |
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Bleeding.
Slight bleeding may be experienced for up to 24 hours after surgery. Rinsing
often interferes with blood clotting and should be avoided for the first
24 hours post- operatively. If there is excessive bleeding at the surgical
site, take a moistened, plain tea bag and place it where you believe the
bleeding is coming from. Hold the bag in this position for about 20 minutes
with firm finger and palm pressure; this will usually stop the bleeding.
If bleeding persists, repeat the procedure. If the pressure and tea bag do
not stop the bleeding, do not become alarmed. Simply call the office and
the answering service will contact us. Always keep pressure on the area.
If you can't get the bleeding to stop, we will have you come to the office
where we can readily control any bleeding problem. | |
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Activity.
Some patients feel tired for several days post-operatively. You will have
less discomfort if you keep yourself busy; however, we encourage you to take
it a bit easier for the first few days. Try to get as much rest as you can
and at least 8 hours of sleep per night. | |
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Oral Hygiene.
Perform your regular oral hygiene procedures in all areas of your mouth not
involved with the surgery. You may lightly and carefully brush the biting
surface where there is packing. After 24 hours it is important to gently
rise your mouth with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt to 4 ounces warm
water) or mouthwash diluted with 1/2 water. Do this 3-4 or more times daily
until your next appointment. Sometimes a special mouthwash is prescribed
and, if so, use this mouthwash as directed. | |
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Diet.
You will be asked to drink a cold malt or milkshake as soon as possible after
surgery to settle your stomach. It is important that you maintain an adequate
and nutritious diet during the healing period. Cut all solid food into small
pieces and avoid "hard" foods. Extremely spicy foods may cause a burning
sensation in the operated area. To prevent having an "upset" stomach, you
should try to keep some food in your stomach at all times. You may want to
eat several small meals instead of trying to sit down to 3 normal meals,
especially during the first few days. The patient who maintains a high protein
diet (meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products) of soft foods, generally feels
better, has less discomfort, and heals faster. Drink at least eight large
glasses of liquid per day during the first two weeks.
REMEMBER: Do not use a straw with liquids.
You may eat any soft foods that you like. You may chew if it is not too uncomfortable
to do so. You will probably lose small parts of dressing around your teeth
as your ability to chew improves. This usually does not cause a problem.
IMPORTANT: A hungry person becomes
irritable and nervous. It is generally accepted fact that a patient in
this state is more susceptible to pain. The importance of a good diet
cannot be overstressed, especially following surgery. EAT WELL AND YOU
WILL FEEL WELL.
VITAMINS: Because of a somewhat diminished
food intake following surgery, the vitamin stores of the body may be depleted.
It would be wise to supplement your diet with a daily multi-vitamin tablet
containing zinc during the course of healing. In addition, selected vitamins
may be prescribed.
The following is a list of suggestions for a post-surgical dietary program.
The list is not meant to be exclusive of other choices, but is merely meant
to give you helpful suggestions.
BREAKFAST:
A. Beverages: Milk, hot chocolate, tea. coffee, or juices.
B. Fruits: Stewed fruits, prunes or similar fruits, or any canned
fruits.
C. Cereals: Oatmeal, cream of wheat. The addition of 2-3 tablespoons
of wheat germ to cereals is recommended.
D. Eggs: Soft-boiled, soft scrambled, poached, soft fried, or
omelettes.
E. Breads: Milk toast, donuts softened in milk or coffee, soft
bread.
LUNCH AND DINNER:
A. Soups: Broth, boullion, or any type of soup.
B. Meats, poultry, fish: Ground beef, baked or broiled fish,
broiled or stewed chicken, oyster stew, or tuna fish.
C. Baby foods.
D. Noodles, dumplings, macaroni, or any pasta (over-cooked to soften it).
E, Complete dietary supplements: Nutrament. Metrecal, Sego.
F. Desserts: Milkshakes, ice cream, puddings, jello, custards,
or pound cake.
G. Potatoes: Baked, boiled, or whipped.
H. Vegetables: English peas, carrots, string beans, asparagus,
or anything canned.
I. Cheese: Cottage cheese, cream cheese, or cheese souffle.
J . Fruits: Canned or stewed fruits, baked apples.
K. A blender may be used to liquefy foods. | |
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PLEASE CALL AT ONCE if you
experience:
A. A fever in excess of 100 degrees.
B. Excessive bleeding (see above).
C. Painful swelling beneath the lower jaw or ears.
D. An unusual reaction to any prescribed medications.
E. Any post-operative problems or discomfort not mentioned above.
If you have any questions or if there are any complications not covered in
these instructions, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Our telephone
is always attended.
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Special
Considerations.
Please have a high protein meal before your appointment. No aspirin 1 week
prior to procedure.
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