After Impacted Tooth Exposure
Expose and Bond of an Impacted Tooth Instructions
Do not disturb the wound. If a Bracket was bonded to the tooth, its attached chain will be secured to the braces.
1. Bleeding: Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding which results in your mouth filling rapidly with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues please call for further instructions.
2. Swelling: Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of the surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 36 hours.
3. 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.
4. Pain: You may have been prescribed prescription-strength Motrin by Dr. Burnham. Take your first does of Motrin as soon as you get home, before the numbness wears off. Scientific studies consistently show the superiority of regular does of ibuprofen (Motrin) over a five-day period for postoperative pain associated with oral surgery procedures. You should take this for five (5) days, every eight (8) hours, while you are awake. Please take your Motrin whether you are experiencing pain or not. This will keep you pain-free in most cases.
You may have been prescribed a narcotic pain pill as well. Take one pill one hour after you have taken your Motrin. Be sure to eat something one hour before taking the narcotic. Do this while you are still numb. As this will insure that you will be free of pain for the first (4) to six (6) hours. After the first initial narcotic pill is taken, the pain medication is then only used when you experience breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain is pain that you experience even though you are on the regular dose of Motrin. Be sure to leave at least 60 minutes between your last Motrin dose and the narcotic dose.
Following these above guidelines will greatly reduce your pain following your oral surgery.
5. 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 time a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.
REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
6. Activity: Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.