Consent Form For
Robert Moskal, DMD
After Surgery Care David Cottrell, DMD
Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Simply PAMPER the area(s) involved
Day of
Surgery: Bite on gauze and change every 30-60 minutes for a couple hours. You can moisten gauze with tap water
and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning. Place gauze between your teeth and cheek.
Do not spit or rinse vigorously
Do not use straws for a week
Do not smoke for at least a week
Do not probe the area with any objects
Avoid vigorous or strenuous activity
Cold packs on cheek for 2 days (today and tomorrow) (20 min ON, 20 min OFF) to minimize swelling
Drink and eat well. Clear fluids first, and then advance gradually to pureed or soft foods as tolerated
· Take pain medication shortly after arriving home, AND AFTER food and/or fluid intake
Days 3-7: Stop icing and now use warm compresses. Swelling typically peaks on day 2 or 3, so don’t be alarmed.
Apply warm compresses over the areas of swelling (warm moist towel, heating pad) for 20 minutes on and
20 minutes off. It will help soothe tender areas, relieve muscle stiffness and help get rid of the swelling.
Dry Sockets? If this develops, you’ll awake on the 3rd – 5th morning with an earache and throbbing. It usually occurs when the clot dissolves or doesn’t form properly. It will resolve on its own but can require more pain medicine. If not tolerable, please call our office so that we may cover the area with a special dressing.
What to
Expect: Oozing: Intermittent bleeding overnight and into next morning is normal. When mixed with saliva, it can look
alarming. If it persists, you may substitute a tea bag, soaked in cool water and placed directly over the site or
wrapped in a moist gauze, for 45 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.
Swelling: very common and tends to peak on the second or third day following surgery. Cold packs or bags of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area will help. If you have been prescribed an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen, be sure to take it as directed and with food.
Discomfort: Also can peak on the second and third days following surgery. Ideally, try being ahead of any major pain. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. It is usually best to have some food prior to taking.
Nausea: Sometimes pain medications are the cause, especially if there is no food in your belly. Preceding each pain pill with a small amount of soft food, and taking the pill with a big glass of water can reduce nausea. Classic Coca Cola or ginger ale may help with nausea.
Diet: Avoid hot foods while numb. It is advisable, to confine the first day’s intake to liquids or pureed foods (puddings, yogurt, milk or protein shakes, overcooked pasta, applesauce, instant breakfast drinks, etc.). Use small portions. Avoid foods like nuts, sunflower/poppy seeds and popcorn. If you are a diabetic, try to maintain normal eating habits and check blood sugar levels more frequently.
Sharp Edges? If you feel something hard or sharp edges in the surgical areas, it is likely you are feeling the sutures which will soften with time. It could also be the bony walls, which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.
Mouth Rinses/Brushing: Keeping your mouth clean is essential. You CAN brush your teeth once the numbness is gone. Be very gentle in the surgical site. Gentle rinsing with warm salty water is good. (¼ tsp salt / 8oz water)
Any questions or concerns about your progress, please call the office at (508) 553-8989. If after regular hours, please
call us and press 301, leave a message including your name and phone number and someone will call you back.
835 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Tel: 508-553-8989 Fax: 508-553-8999
www.franklinoralsurgery.com
rev. March 2015