Medication

Take antibiotics as prescribed. This is usually after you return home from the procedure.

You will start taking pain medications about 90 minutes after leaving our office, as specifically directed and noted by Dr. Clayhold talking with your friend and family before you left for home. Be sure to eat some food or drink a big glass of water when you take these medications to prevent an upset stomach.

You will take 800 mg of generic Ibuprofen or Advil at breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime for the next 7 to 10 days. For over the counter Ibuprofen, this is purchased as 200 mg pills, so you will need 4 pills each dose. If you still have pain one hour after taking Ibuprofen, take EITHER Extra Strength Tylenol, aka Acetaminophen, every 6 hours OR the prescribed narcotic, Vicodin or Hydrocodne while still continuing the Ibuprofen. Please contact us at the office if you have any questions or for any clarification. 

The prescribed pain medicine, a narcotic, should only be taken as needed as it will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. While you are taking these to manage your pain, do not drive an automobile or work around machinery.

If you develop any uncommon to you rash, diarrhea, or other reaction reaction, it may be due to any medicine that we have given you. Please call the office. You may or may not be given a different prescription.

Diet

You should maintain a soft diet (smoothies, eggs, well-cooked pasta, etc.) for 1 to 2 weeks or until you see Dr. Clayhold for your post-operative visit.

For more detail and suggestions, please visit the “Eating During Oral Surgery Recovery” section.

Swelling

Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is common following surgery. This is the body’s normal reaction to the surgery and plays a role in your healing. The swelling will not reach its peak until 36 to 48 hours post-operation. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Use an ice pack or small bag of frozen vegetables on your face to help with swelling. Apply the ice pack on the cheek following the angles of the jaw as much as can be tolerated for 48 hours. After 48 hours, ice has no beneficial effect, and the application of heat to the sides of the face is more effective in reducing the swelling. The ice pack that was provided by our team can be heated in the microwave or in hot water on the stove. If swelling or jaw stiffness persists for several days, there is no cause for alarm. Everyone is a little different, and this is a normal reaction to surgery. 

Keep the Mouth Clean

The evening of surgery you will begin using an antiseptic mouth rinse like Listerine, unless prescribed chlorhexidine or Peridex™. This will help with bad taste or odor of your healing mouth. You can also brush your teeth the night following surgery but work gently in the area of the surgery. The day after surgery you should rinse with Listerine 5 to 10 times a day especially after eating. Please note the instructions on the prescribed mouthwash are for 2 rinses a day, but you could use Listerine in between.

Other Instructions

Most likely you have stitches which will dissolve on their own. 

Brushing and flossing are essential to keeping your mouth clean and best able to heal. Please be sure not to brush or floss directly over the area of your surgery.