What to do after surgery.
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Apply ice to the area — alternating several minutes on and several minutes off for the first 24 hours — to minimize swelling.
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Salt-water rinses are helpful: dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and rinse as often as you can over the next few days. Do not forcefully spit the water out, rather, open your mouth and let the liquid run out gently.
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Avoid sucking through a straw or spitting forcefully after brushing or salt water rinses. These motions change the pressure in your mouth and delay the healing process.
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If bleeding occurs, apply pressure directly on the wound with a wet gauze or a wet tea-bag for 1-2 minutes.
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If you do experience swelling, you may find it peaks on the 3rd day before reducing.
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Avoid using any heat compresses. This will increase the swelling.
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Swelling: If you experienced swelling or acute pain to pressure prior to treatment, be prepared that you may continue to experience some swelling after your procedure. The inflammation and/or infection you presented with is already on its course, so it could take several days for the treatment to “catch up” and intercept the symptoms. Rest assured, you will feel better over the next week or two. Be sure to take any antibiotics you were prescribed and complete the course. It is recommended that you take them at least an hour apart from your pain meds to minimize stomach upset. If you finish a course and still notice swelling, please contact us. Each infection is different.
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Pain relief: Take Ibuprofen (600-800 mg every 6-8 hours) to stay ahead of the discomfort. If you can't take Ibuprofen, use two Tylenol twice a day instead. After a few days, switch to taking them only as needed. Take any prescription pain medication with caution and only the minimal amount needed to help with your discomfort. Be sure to take pain medication an hour apart from other medications.
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Avoid eating hard, crunchy, spicy, hot foods and do all of your chewing away from the surgical site.
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Avoid brushing tonight only and then away from the gums involved in the surgery.
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Do not floss in the surgical area until the sutures are out.
Questions after your procedure? Call us.
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