The following instructions are intended for Chatham Dental patients to minimize discomfort or the potential for complications after dental surgery. When you apply these steps, you’ll find the recovery process to be surprisingly fast, with little or no pain or other issues.
When you apply these steps, you’ll find the recovery process to be surprisingly fast, with little or no pain or other issues.
Call your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your healing process.
It is normal to have some bleeding for about 24 hours following surgery. If this occurs, use a fresh gauze pack or moist tea bag on the surgical site, elevate your head and bite firmly on the gauze pack for 30 minutes. Typically two to three changes will be sufficient. Do not apply the pack if bleeding is only minimal. Phone 9-1-1 promptly if your mouth continuously fills with blood.
Some discomfort is normal following any surgical procedure (including dental extraction). This can be minimized by taking medication as prescribed or recommended by your dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Pain medication works better if started before the onset of pain and taken on a regular schedule. Call your dentist if pain develops three to four days after the surgery; a protective dressing may be required.
Swelling and bruising often occur after surgery. Swelling typically increases for the first three or four days, then gradually subsides over the following three to seven days. If the swelling causes difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact your dentist immediately. If the swelling gets better over the first three days, then gets worse, call your dentist.
Occasionally patients experience some numbness in their lip or tongue after lower jaw surgery. This generally resolves in time. Please let us know if this occurs.
Though not very common, some patients feel sick to their stomach (nauseated) for the first few days following surgery. Drinking carbonated water may be helpful. Call your dentist if this is a persistent problem.
