After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
OUR DOCTORS ONLY PRESCRIBE ELECTRONICALLY.
YOUR PRESCRIPTION WILL BE ELECTRONICALLY SENT
TO THE PHARMACY YOU INDICATED ON YOUR HEALTH HISTORY FORM.
Do not disturb the wound. Avoid lifting up your lip, this may disturb the wound. See also, After Wisdom Tooth Extraction.
Bleeding
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. Please see the section on postoperative instructions after wisdom teeth removal for detailed instructions. If bleeding continues please call our office for further instructions.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. Prepackaged ice packs or two baggies filled with ice should be applied to the sides of the face or over the lip where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be left on continuously while you are awake, 10 minutes on and then 10 minutes off. After 48 hours, ice has no beneficial effect.
Diet
Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For mild pain, 1 or 2 Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken every 3-4 hours as needed for pain. For moderate to severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.
Oral Hygiene
Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can. Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
