Surgical Instructions

Surgical Instructions

We want all our patients to have success with their dental treatments, and a huge part of ensuring that success is providing detailed post-op instructions for oral surgery in Fairhope, Alabama, as you recover from your procedure. Please see our recovery instructions below and call Eastern Shore Oral, Facial and Implant Surgery Center at 251-333-1700 if you have any questions for our dentist, Dr. Richard Cordero.

• Before Anesthesia
• After Impacted Tooth Exposure
• After Single or Multiple Tooth Extractions

When you complete any procedure at our office, our dentist and team will provide you with instructions on how to care for the treated area properly and about what you can expect to experience post-treatment. Some of these instructions have been provided below. If you have any questions about our post-op instructions, please contact our office.

Tooth Extractions Post-Op Care

After you have had a tooth extracted, you will have an initial healing period of one to two weeks. You will probably experience some swelling and discomfort for the first 48 hours.

We recommend that you:

• Avoid chewing for at least two hours or until the anesthetic wears off
• Use an ice pack to decrease swelling
• Do not touch the extraction site with your tongue or fingers
• Do not drink through a straw or swish and spit vigorously
• Try to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing violently
• Do not rinse your mouth the day of surgery
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products for several days following the extraction
• Relax as much as possible, avoid all strenuous activities for the first 24 hours after your procedure and keep your head elevated
• Maintain a soft diet for 48 hours

Gum Surgery Post-Op Care

Caring for your mouth properly following gum surgery is critical to the success of your procedure. After your treatment we recommend that you:

• Do not eat for about three hours after your treatment, then maintain a soft diet for two to three days. Avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, and hard or brittle foods that could injure the surgical site. Be sure to stay hydrated.
• Take all prescribed antibiotics and medications as directed. You may use a non-aspirin pain reliever as needed. If you have a reaction to a medication (nausea, a skin rash, etc.), stop taking the medication immediately and contact our office.
• Slight bleeding and oozing after gum surgery is normal and may occur for up to 48 hours after your procedure. If bleeding persists, you may apply a moistened gauze pad or tea bag to the site at 20-minute intervals. Keep your head elevated. If bleeding does not stop, please call our office.
• Use an ice pack or cold compress to help reduce swelling.
• Maintain good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth very lightly the first night. You may resume flossing gently again the next day. Do not use any irrigation devices (such as a Waterpik®) until you are cleared to do so.
• Do not smoke for at least 48 hours. Smoking can cause significant delays in the healing process.

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