Please follow these instructions to prepare for oral surgery with IV Sedation.
- You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight hours prior to the appointment.
- No smoking for at least 12 hours before surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible prior to the day of surgery.
- A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
- The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following anesthesia.
- Please wear loose fitting clothing with sleeves which can be rolled up past the elbow, and low-heeled shoes.
- Contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
- Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
- If you have an illness such as a cold, sore throat, stomach or upset bowels, please notify the office.
- If you take routine oral medications, please check with Dr. Vaughan prior to your surgical date for instructions.
After dental implant surgery, do not disturb the wound. Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. There will be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues profusely, please call for further instructions.
Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously, as much as possible, for the first 36 hours.
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.
You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every 3-4 hours. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: 2-3 tablets may be taken four times daily, not to exceed 3200mg daily for an adult. Consult our practice for individuals under 18. Do not take the two medications at the same time.
For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it. Do not drive an automobile or work around machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Pain or discomfort following surgery should subside more and more every day. If pain persists, it may require attention and you should call the office.
Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.
Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing. The night of surgery, use the prescribed Peridex Oral Rinse before bed. The day after surgery, the Peridex should be used twice daily; after breakfast and before bed. Be sure to rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out. Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals. Brush your teeth and the healing abutments. Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.
Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery for at least 10 days, as discussed in the pre-operative consultation.
Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Keep in mind that you are probably not taking in normal nourishment. This may weaken you and further limit your ability to exercise.
Tooth Removal
After wisdom tooth removal, do not disturb the surgical area. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery. Keep your tongue away from the extraction sites to promote proper healing.
Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. If bleeding is excessive (your mouth fills rapidly with blood), bite down firmly on a gauze pad placed directly over the extraction site for 30–45 minutes. If bleeding continues, replace the gauze and apply firm pressure. A moist tea bag can also be used as the tannic acid helps with clotting. If bleeding persists, please call our office.
Swelling is a normal part of the healing process. To minimize swelling, apply an ice pack to the affected cheek in 20-minute intervals for the first 36 hours. Keeping your head elevated while resting can also help reduce swelling.
Drink plenty of fluids but avoid using a straw, as the suction can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket. Stick to soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes on the day of surgery. Gradually return to a normal diet as tolerated, avoiding crunchy, spicy, or hot foods that may irritate the extraction site.
Begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as directed. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) should not exceed 3200mg daily for adults. Do not take both Tylenol and Ibuprofen at the same time. If stronger pain medication is prescribed, take it as directed and avoid driving, operating machinery, or consuming alcohol. Pain should improve daily—if it worsens or persists beyond a few days, contact our office.
If prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed to prevent infection. Finish the full course, even if you feel better before completing it.
Do not rinse, brush, or spit on the day of surgery. Starting the next day, rinse gently with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) at least 4–5 times a day, especially after eating. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting. Brush your teeth carefully, avoiding the surgical sites.
Limit strenuous activities for at least 48 hours after surgery. Exercise can increase bleeding and swelling. If you feel lightheaded or experience increased bleeding, discontinue activity and rest..
Avoid smoking, vaping, or drinking alcohol for at least 72 hours, as these can delay healing and increase the risk of dry socket.
If stitches were placed, they may dissolve on their own or require removal at a follow-up visit.
If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact our office immediately.
An Impacted Tooth
After surgical exposure of an impacted tooth, it is important to follow these instructions to promote proper healing. Avoid disturbing the surgical site by not touching it with your fingers or tongue. If an orthodontic bracket or chain was placed, be careful not to pull or dislodge it.
Some bleeding or oozing is normal for the first 24 hours. If excessive bleeding occurs (your mouth fills rapidly with blood), place a gauze pad directly over the site and bite down firmly for 30–45 minutes. If bleeding continues, replace the gauze and maintain pressure. A moistened tea bag may also help promote clotting. If heavy bleeding persists, contact our office.
Swelling is common after surgery. To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 20-minute intervals during the first 36 hours. Keeping your head elevated while resting will also help minimize swelling.
Stick to soft foods and cool liquids for the first day. Avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods that could irritate the surgical site. Drink plenty of fluids but do not use a straw, as the suction may disrupt healing. Gradually return to a normal diet as tolerated.
Begin taking pain medication as soon as the local anesthetic starts wearing off. For moderate discomfort, take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as directed. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) should not exceed 3200mg daily for adults. If prescribed a stronger pain reliever, take it as directed and avoid driving or consuming alcohol. Pain should gradually improve each day—if it worsens, contact our office.
If an orthodontic bracket or chain was placed to assist with tooth eruption, follow any additional care instructions provided by your orthodontist. Avoid tugging or pulling on the chain. If it becomes loose or detached, contact our office.
Do not rinse, spit, or brush near the surgical site on the day of surgery. Starting the next day, gently rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) at least 4–5 times a day, especially after meals. Brush your teeth as usual, avoiding the surgical site and any orthodontic attachments.
Limit strenuous activity for at least 48 hours, as exercise can increase swelling and bleeding. If you feel lightheaded or notice increased bleeding, discontinue activity and rest.
Avoid smoking, vaping, or alcohol for at least 72 hours, as they can interfere with healing.
If stitches were placed, they may dissolve on their own or require removal at a follow-up visit.
If you experience severe pain, excessive bleeding, fever, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, contact our office immediately.
After tooth extraction, it’s important for a blood clot to form to stop the bleeding and begin the healing process. Bite on a gauze pad for 30-45 minutes immediately after the appointment. If the bleeding or oozing still persists, place another gauze pad and bite firmly for another 30 minutes. You may have to do this several times to staunch the flow of blood.
After the blood clot forms it is important to not disturb or dislodge the clot. Do not rinse vigorously, suck on straws, smoke, drink alcohol or brush teeth next to the extraction site for 72 hours. These activities may dislodge or dissolve the clot and hinder the healing process. Limit vigorous exercise for the next 24 hours, as this increases blood pressure and may cause more bleeding from the extraction site.
After the tooth is extracted you may feel some pain and experience some swelling. An ice pack or an unopened bag of frozen peas or corn applied to the area will keep swelling to a minimum. Take pain medications as prescribed. The swelling usually subsides after 48 hours.
Use pain medication as directed. Call our office if the medication doesn’t seem to be working. If antibiotics are prescribed, continue to take them for the indicated length of time even if signs and symptoms of infection are gone. Drink lots of fluids and eat nutritious, soft food on the day of the extraction. You can eat normally as soon as you are comfortable.
It is important to resume your normal dental routine after 24 hours. This should include brushing and flossing your teeth at least once a day. This will speed healing and help keep your mouth fresh and clean.
After a few days you should feel fine and can resume your normal activities. If you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, continued swelling for 2-3 days, or a reaction to the medication, call our office immediately at Foothill Ranch Office Phone Number949-297-8880.
A small amount of bleeding is to be expected following the operation to remove multiple teeth. If bleeding occurs, place a gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket and apply biting pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened black tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the black tea helps to form a clot by contracting blood vessels. If bleeding occurs, avoid hot liquids, exercise, and elevate the head. If bleeding persists, call our office immediately. Do not remove the immediate denture unless the bleeding is severe. Expect some oozing around the side of the denture.
Use ice packs (externally) on the cheek near the surgical site. Apply ice for the first 36 hours only. Apply ice continuously while you are awake.
For mild discomfort use aspirin, Tylenol, or any similar medication; two tablets every 3-4 hours. Two to three tablets of Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can be taken every 3-4 hours.
For severe pain, use the prescription given to you. If the pain does not begin to subside after 2 days, or increases after 2 days, please call our office. If an antibiotic has been prescribed, make sure to finish your prescription unless you have an allergic reaction..
Drink plenty of fluids. If many teeth have been extracted, the blood lost at this time needs to be replaced. Drink at least six glasses of liquid the first day.
Do not rinse your mouth for the first post-operative day, or while there is bleeding. After the first day, use a warm salt water rinse every 4 hours and following meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the operated area. (One teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water). After you have seen your dentist for denture adjustment, take out the denture and rinse 3 to 4 times a day.
Restrict your diet to liquids and soft foods that are comfortable for you to eat. As the wounds heal, you will be able to resume your normal diet.
The removal of many teeth at one time is quite different from the extraction of just one or two teeth. Because the bone must be shaped and smoothed prior to the insertion of a denture, the following conditions may occur, all of which are considered normal:
The area operated on will swell, reaching a maximum in two days. Swelling and discoloration around the eyes may occur. The application of a moist warm towel will help eliminate the discoloration. The towel should be applied continuously for as long as is tolerable, beginning 36 hours after surgery. (Remember: ice packs are used for the first 36 hours only).
A sore throat may develop. The muscles of the throat are near the extraction sites. Swelling into the throat muscles can cause pain. This is normal and should subside in 2-3 days.
If the corners of the mouth are stretched, they may dry out and crack. Your lips should be kept moist with an ointment like Vaseline. There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24-48 hours. If your temperature continues to rise, notify our office.
If immediate dentures have been inserted, sore spots may develop. In most cases, your dentist will see you within 24-48 hours after surgery to make the necessary adjustments and relieve those sore spots. Failure to do so may result in severe denture sores, which may prolong the healing proces
