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Bleeding

  • There may be slight bleeding or redness up to 24 hours after surgery. If bleeding persists, or is excessive, please notify us.

Medications

  • Fill your prescriptions and take your medications as directed.
  • Take the first dose of pain medication after you get home before the numbness wears off. We recommend you NOT take the medicine on an empty stomach, so take it with a large glass of liquid or light food (milkshake, frosty, soup, etc.)
  • Remember that certain antibiotics may render birth control pills ineffective. Therefore, all female patients who are currently taking birth control pills should use another form of contraception, during the entire cycle, when antibiotics have been prescribed.
  • Do not operate machinery or drive a car for twenty-four (24) hours following your surgery if IV sedation has been administered or while taking the narcotic.

Swelling

  • Some swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery.

Diet- Your nutrition is extremely important.

  • Do not eat any foods that require chewing while you are numb, however, resume a normal diet as soon as possible after surgery.
  • Eating solid foods will help limber up the muscle stiffness in your jaws that normally accompanies surgery. Gentle exercise may also be helpful.

Earache/Sore Throat

  • It is normal to experience a slight earache or sore throat after surgery. There may also be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If the temperature continues after this period of time, please notify us.

Hygiene- Cleanliness is a must for a rapid and uncomplicated recovery.

  • You should brush your teeth gently.
  • The day after surgery, brush as you normally would and begin rinsing with a warm salt water solution (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) four to five times per day for one week.
  • We do not recommend the use of commercial mouthwashes as they contain alcohol that can irritate the wound.

Pain

  • Most surgical discomfort should begin to subside three to four days after surgery.
  • If after three to four days of comfort you begin to have increased pain, throbbing, or earache in the area of surgery, please call our office.

Numbness

  • Often operations are performed very close to nerves. This can sometimes cause lingering numbness and altered sensations, especially of the lower lip or tongue. This condition is usually temporary and will generally disappear when swelling recedes and the nerve heals. Should numbness persist beyond the first week, please inform us.

Orthodontist follow-up

  • Call your orthodontist to schedule a follow-up appointment for two weeks after the surgery.