After exposure of an impacted tooth, avoid disturbing the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out, contact our office for instructions. Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding that rapidly fills your mouth with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes.

Swelling and Nutrition

Swelling is normal after surgery. Apply an ice bag or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes on your cheek near the area of surgery as much as possible for the first 36 hours. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid hot liquids or hard foods. Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain Control and Cleaning

Begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. Ibuprofen may be taken for pain relief. Two to three tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3,200 mg daily for an adult. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking pain medication. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Oral cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth normally if possible. Rinse with warm salt water six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete. Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you experience throbbing or bleeding while exercising, discontinue exercising.