Common Oral Surgery Complications
What if......
- Blood is filling up my mouth after 1 hour post operatively, place gauze and firm pressure. You may moisten a tea bag and apply it to the area. Keep gauze with firm pressure on site for additional 45 minutes. If still bleeding profusely go to Emergency Department or call one of our offices. It is common for the socket to ooze blood for 24 hours. We recommend to put a cover over your pillow.
- Swelling/bruising occurs. Swelling/bruising is normal 24-48 hours after any oral surgery procedure. Within the first 24 hours, use cold compress 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. After 24 hours, if swelling is still present, use warm compresses (be careful not to burn your skin-ensure it is warm to touch prior to applying to face) 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
- Pain occurs. Pain is normal for 24-72 hours after oral surgery and possibly for a week after oral surgery. The pain will gradually get better with each day. Use pain medicine as directed by your dentist. You may alternate Motrin and Tylenol every 3/4 hours per bottle instructions
- I get a dry socket. Call Capital Dental Arts & Dentures and we can offer palliative care "packing the site" with a eugenol based product which will ease the pain
- I get numbness. Permanent numbness is rare, but can happen in dentistry or any other surgical procedures. Most dental procedures have very low risk of numbness due to advancements in modern technology and techniques. The procedures which have higher risks of numbness are removal of impacted third molars or repairing jaw fractures. The risks will be discussed with the patient prior to removal of tooth. With our latest in digital radiography, we can see how close the roots of the tooth are in relation to the nerve before ever extracting the tooth. If numbness occurs, it will be monitored over several months. Normally, the body self heals itself and will resolve the issue without any medical intervention over 3-6 months. If numbness occurs longer than 6 months, it may be permanent
Post Operative Instructions following routine oral surgery
1.) Protect the blood clot. Close mouth on the gauze pad and do not disturb it for at least 45 minutes to one hour. Do not pick at the clot. Do not drink through a straw and do not rinse or spit for the next 24 hours. DO NOT SMOKE FOR 24 HOURS.
2.) If it continues to bleed, bite on a gauze pad and keep it in place for another thirty (30) minutes. This may be repeated as long as necessary. Some oozing of the site may continue for as long as 24 hours. If Bleeding is persistent, you can apply a moist tea bag to area which should stop bleeding.
3.) Some discomfort is to be expected after treatment for 3-5 days.
4.) You should eat on the opposite side from the treatment site. If this is difficult, try a softer diet.
5.) A toothbrush should be carefully used. Do not damage the site, but keep the teeth clean. A healthy mouth heals faster. DO NOT SPIT OR SWISH AFTER BRUSHING TEETH. DO NOT RINSE WITH ANY SOLUTION.
6.) You may resume normal activity when the bleeding stops.
7.) Sutures (stitches): You may have had sutures placed. You will be told if they need to be removed. Most do not.
8.) Do not eat anything hard, crunchy, or hot for at least 24 hours.
9.) Avoid alcoholic beverages for 48 hours post operatively.
10.) Do not drink any carbonated beverages for at least 24.
hours. (Coke, Dr. Pepper etc.)
11.) Do not drink through a straw for 48 hours.
12.) No heavy lifting, bending, or exercising for 48 hours. Avoid all strenuous activity until 48 hours after surgery. (weight lifting, running, jogging)
13.) Cold compresses can be used immediately after oral surgery up to 24 hours post oral surgery. This can be applied in 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off intervals to help reduce swelling.
14.) Warm compresses can be used 24 hours after oral surgery for a few days post operatively to reduce swelling and jaw stiffness which normally occurs 24 hours to 72 hours post operatively. This can be applied in 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off intervals to help sooth area.
15.) Avoid warm salt water rinses until 48 hours after oral surgery procedure.
16.) Take all prescribed medications as directed by doctors/pharmacy orders.
17.) Antibiotics may make oral contraceptives ineffective leading to pregnancy.