Postoperative Instructions
The following are instructions to follow after surgery.
- Care of your mouth: immediately after surgery, keep ice-cold water or other cold foods, such as ice cream or frozen yogurt, in your mouth for six to 8 hours. Do not brush your teeth in the areas that have sutures or dressing. Perform normal cleaning of all teeth that did not undergo surgery.
- activity: reduce your activity following surgery. No running, weightlifting, or any strenuous aerobic activity or contact sports for 48 hours.
- Discomfort: following all types of surgery, you can expect some discomfort. Take your pain medication as prescribed. Do not drink alcoholic beverages in combination with pain medication.
- The combination of both Advil and Tylenol works best for oral pain.
- Ibuprofen (Advil): Take 400 mg every 4-6 hours (2 over the counter tablets; 200 mg each).
- Caution: Ibuprofen Interacts with alcohol, anticoagulants (blood thinners). Beta blockers (blood pressure medication), ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medication), Lithium, Methotrexate.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Take 500 mg every 4-6 hours (one over the counter tablet; 500 mg each).
- Caution: Tylenol interacts with alcohol.
- Narcotics will be prescribed if needed.
- Swelling: in some cases, swelling may be expected, but it will go away in three to four days.
- Eating: eat only cold, soft foods on the day of surgery. After the first day, stay on a soft but balanced diet. Do not eat hard, crunchy, or spicy foods.
- Smoking: do not smoke following surgery. Tobacco smoke is an irritant and delays healing of your tissues. Refrain from smoking for as long as possible.
- Prescription rinses may be given. Please follow the instructions as prescribed.