How you prepare for your surgery, both mentally and physically, can have a big impact on the success of your procedure. If you require anesthesia for your surgery, there are several ways in which you must prepare so you remain safe during surgery. It’s normal to feel apprehensive or nervous, but rest assured, your surgical team at Lalor Implant Center has the qualifications and training to provide safe and comfortable treatment in Vestal, NY. Following our pre-operative instructions can help you experience a better surgery and recovery.
Swelling of the gums around the exposed tooth is normal. Apply an ice pack to the cheek or external area of the mouth where the surgical site is. Maintain the application of this ice pack anytime you are awake for the first 36 hours after surgery.
Begin taking over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication before the local anesthetic begins wearing off to reduce any discomfort. Ibuprofen or Tylenol is generally strong enough to control any post-operative pain. If prescribed medication is needed, take only as directed. If you experience severe pain that persists, contact our office right away.
The day after your surgery, rinse with mouthwash and/or saltwater 5-6 times a day and especially after meals. Continue rinsing your mouth until the site has healed. Brush your teeth only with a soft-bristled toothbrush and be careful to avoid harming the surgical site.
Immediately after surgery, resume drinking the recommended amount of water each day to avoid dehydration. Nutritionally rich soft foods can be eaten on the day of surgery. Avoid hot foods and liquids. You can return to a normal diet within a few days but continue eating wholesome meals to assist your body in the healing process.
Minimize exercise and physical activities for the first few days after surgery. Do not begin rigorous exercise as this can cause excessive bleeding and throbbing at the surgical site. Resume physical activities slowly over the next several weeks.
Some bleeding after your tooth extraction is normal. To stop any persistent bleeding, bite down on a gauze pad for 30 minutes at a time. This can be repeated for as long as necessary. Any bleeding that is excessive or uncontrollable should be reported to us immediately.
Minor swelling is common after tooth extraction. Apply an ice pack to the area consistently until the swelling subsides in about 48 hours.
Pain and discomfort are normal but can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Take all pain medication as instructed. The pain will subside after a few days, so contact our office in Vestal, NY if this pain worsens.
Resume your normal oral hygiene routine 24 hours after your surgery. Floss once a day. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be careful not to brush around the extraction site for the next 72 hours.
In the days following your surgery, drink the recommended amount of water every day and stick to a nutritional soft-food diet. As soon as you feel comfortable biting and chewing foods, you can resume eating normally. Avoid hot foods and liquids, do not use a straw, and refrain from drinking alcohol for 72 hours after surgery.
Do not partake in any rigorous exercise or physical activity for the first 24 hours after surgery to avoid dislodging the blood clot. Exercise increases blood pressure and can cause the surgical site to bleed.
Some bleeding is normal after surgery. A common mistake made when applying gauze pads is clenching teeth to hold them in place instead of firmly pressing them down on the surgical site. This can cause heavier bleeding. Contact our office immediately if bleeding worsens or does not stop.
Minor swelling is normal and will be most evident 48 hours after surgery. Minimize swelling by keeping the head elevated and applying ice packs to the area in 30-minute intervals. Apply warm compresses instead after 48 hours have passed.
Pain is a normal result of surgery and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. If prescription medication has been provided, take only as instructed by our doctor. Medication should begin before local anesthetic wears off and taken with food to avoid nausea. Contact our office if pain becomes worse or does not subside in the normal time.
Bruising may occur and be noticeable 1-2 days after surgery. Cold and warm compresses can help reduce the noticeable signs of bruising. These will fade on their own within a few days or weeks.
If prescribed antibiotics, take all the medication as directed and until the series is complete. This helps reduce the chances of infection at the surgical site. Be watchful of the signs of infection, including increased swelling, intense pain, and foul-tasting drainage from the surgical site. Contact us immediately if this occurs.
Do not vigorously rinse your mouth or spit for at least 3-5 days after surgery. Gentle rinsing with warm salt water or mouthwash can resume the day after your procedure. Carefully brush and floss teeth but do not disturb the surgical site. Avoid touching the area with your tongue or finger and do not lift your lip to minimize the chances of tearing the sutures.
Stick to a mild, soft food diet for at least the first 2-4 days. These foods should be easy to consume without biting or chewing and be nutritionally rich to help your body heal properly. A normal diet can be resumed once the area has healed. Do not smoke or consume alcohol for at least 2 weeks after surgery, or for as long as possible.
If you’re receiving a denture or flipper, we’ll have specific instructions on the day of your surgery. We may instruct you to wear your prosthesis immediately, leave it in place for 48 hours before removing, or refrain from wearing it until the site has healed. If you have been instructed to wear your prosthesis and sores or swelling develop on your gums, remove it, and contact our office immediately.
Minor bleeding is normal for the first 24 hours after your surgery. If you experience more excessive bleeding, bite down on a gauze pad placed over the wound for 30 minutes. Contact our office immediately if you have prolonged bleeding or bleeding that cannot be controlled.
Minor swelling is normal directly after surgery and may last for a few days. To help minimize swelling, hold the ice pack or bag of ice wrapped in a towel to your cheek. Apply this ice as much as you can for the first 36 hours after your surgery.
Pain medication, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), can be taken before the local anesthetic begins to wear off to avoid any discomfort. Follow the instructions for the number of medications you can take in the given time period. Take any prescription medication only as instructed. If severe pain occurs and continues, contact our office immediately.
If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, take them as instructed by our doctor until complete. Antibiotics help to prevent infection, which is crucial to the success of your surgery.
Take any prescribed mouth wash as directly, usually the night after your surgery before you go to bed. For the next few days, use this mouthwash 1-2 times daily (morning and night) and begin rinsing your mouth with warm salt water 4-5 times a day, especially after eating. Twenty-four hours after your surgery, you can resume brushing your teeth and the surgical site gently with a soft toothbrush.
Drink the recommended amount of water each day and be sure to eat nutritionally rich food to help your body recover from surgery. Avoid drinking or eating hot beverages or foods, and do not chew foods directly on the implant site. Immediately after your surgery, stick to a soft food diet (such as protein shakes, yogurt, applesauce, etc.). You can return to a normal diet within a few days, or as instructed by our doctor.
For the first week after surgery, refrain from any exercising or physical activities that can increase blood flow and disturb the surgical site. Also avoid activities that increase the risk of impact or injury to your mouth. If, during exercise, you experience complications such as bleeding or throbbing at the surgical site, discontinue activities immediately and contact our office.
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