After the Removal of Multiple Teeth

Home Instructions After the Removal of Multiple Teeth

A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation to remove multiple teeth. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 1 hour. Repeat this process every hour until the bleeding stops. Depending on medications you may take and how well you are placing and biting on the gauze pads the bleeding may stop in an hour, or last up to a day. If bleeding is not stopping, you can use a black tea bag to help. Rinse the tea bag with warm water and express the excess water from the tea bag. Then place the tea bag over the area, place a gauze pad over the tea bag and apply pressure for 1 hour. The tannic acid in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting blood vessels. If bleeding, avoid hot liquids, exercise, and elevate the head. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately.

If you had immediate dentures placed, do not remove them to stop the bleeding. Instead, bite down on the dentures and place gauze pads between the dentures and your cheeks to soak up any oozing from around the side of the dentures.

Use ice packs (externally) on the cheek near the surgical site. Apply ice for the first 36 hours only. Apply ice for 15 minutes of each hour for the first 36 hours while you are awake.

You should begin taking pain medication before you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. Start with Tylenol or the prescription ibuprofen you may have been given. As the numbness goes away you can continue with the Tylenol and ibuprofen if needed. If this is not controlling your discomfort you should continue taking the ibuprofen and replace the Tylenol with the stronger prescription pain medication. Take the medications as directed on the bottles unless specifically instructed otherwise by Dr. Stastny.

Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.

If an antibiotic has been prescribed, make sure to finish your prescription unless you have an allergic reaction.

After general anesthetic or IV sedation you should start with non-dairy liquids until you are able to keep them down and the effects of the anesthesia have begun to wear off. Drink from a glass and do not use straws. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. After that, you may eat anything you wish by chewing away from the surgical sites. You should avoid any hot foods until the local anesthetic has worn off. Nourishment should be taken regularly. You should prevent dehydration by taking fluids regularly. If your food intake is limited for the first few days you should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. At least 5-6 glasses of liquid should be taken daily. Try not to miss any meals. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort, and heal faster if you continue to eat.

CAUTION: If you suddenly sit up or stand from a lying position you may become dizzy. If you are lying down following surgery, make sure you sit up for one minute before standing.

Do not rinse your mouth on the day of surgery. Starting the day after surgery rinse with a warm salt water rinse every after every time you eat to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated areas. After you have seen your dentist you should remove your dentures after every time you eat and rinse out your mouth and the dentures before replacing them back into your mouth.

Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods that are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal, you will be able to resume your normal diet.

The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different from the extraction of just one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:

• The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in 3 days. Swelling and discoloration around the eyes may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate discoloration. The towel should be applied continuously for as long as is tolerable, beginning 36 hours after surgery. (Remember: ice packs are used for the first 36 hours only).
• A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2-3 days.
• If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If your temperature continues to rise, notify our office.

If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery to make the necessary adjustments and relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing process.

If you have additional questions please go the Downloadable Instructions page or call our office Blue Ash Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office Phone Number (513) 984-2100.