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 Robert Moskal, DMD After Surgery Care David Cottrell, DMD Center for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

If taking narcotics like VICODIN / PERCOCET: NO driving, NO heavy lifting, and NO operating heavy machinery

835 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Tel: 508-553-8989 Fax: 508-553-8999 www.franklinoralsurgery.com rev. March 2015