Post-Op Surgical Instructions for Austin, TX Dental Surgery

Instructions Following Oral Surgery at Austin Oral Surgery

Our post-op surgical instructions for Austin, TX procedures are important to follow. These instructions will allow you to recover quickly and heal in the best way possible. When you comply with our post-op instructions after oral surgery, you will feel better and prevent problems from arising. Austin Oral Surgery has spent years perfecting its aftercare treatment instructions to ensure the safety and comfort of our patients. Following these instructions is vital to the success of your surgical operation, whether it be a tooth extraction or bone graft.

Post-Operative Instruction: Medications and Refills

Following your oral surgery, you will need to be supervised for at least six hours if you have undergone intravenous anesthesia or oral sedation. You will not be allowed to drive after your operation if these forms of anesthesia have been given to you. You should not operate machinery for at least a day after your appointment. If our doctors have prescribed you any medications, you should continue or start taking them immediately following your surgery. These medications will likely be prescribed to help you manage your pain or prevent infection from occurring. Taking your medications as prescribed will reduce the amount of pain you experience following your procedure. If you anticipate that you may need medication refills, it is important that you contact our office prior to running out so that we can get them filled in a timely manner.

Oral Surgery Post-Op Instructions: Things to Look Out For

After your surgery at Austin Oral Surgery, you may experience pain and discomfort. It is important to note that a certain amount of this is normal. If you begin to experience severe pain, please contact our office immediately. Some of the things you should look out for following your oral surgery include:

• Bleeding — A noticeable amount of blood following your operation is normal. The bleeding should never become severe. If it does, contact our office. In order to stop the bleeding, continue to bite on regularly changed gauze and avoid spitting.
• Swelling and Discoloration — Swelling and discoloration are a normal part of the healing process. The only time this will become a concern is if the swelling and discoloration become severe. Cold therapy and elevation should be used to treat the swelling and discoloration.
• Nausea — You may experience nausea post-operation due to taking medication on an empty stomach or as a side effect of the anesthesia. You should always take your medications and antibiotics with food. You can stagger when you take each medication an hour apart from one another.
• Lightheadedness — Dizziness and lightheadedness are common experiences after dental procedures. Our medical professionals recommend moving carefully and slowly. You should sit up for one minute before standing up to avoid passing out.
• Stiffness — Stiffness of the jaw muscles is also a normal part of the recovery process. The stiffness may make opening your mouth challenging for a few days after your surgery but it will resolve over time.
• Sutures — Our doctors may have used sutures to close the oral surgical site. The sutures we use are dissolvable and will fall out on their own.
• Sharp Edges — Around the surgical site, you may feel sharp edges. These are typically the bony structures that surround the surgical site. If these sharp edges create discomfort in your mouth, contact our professionals
• Temperature — You may experience an elevated temperature following oral surgery. You should contact our office immediately if your temperature reaches or exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenheit or if the elevated temperature persists.
• Lip Numbness — The local anesthetic that is administered to you before and during your procedure may cause numbness of the lips. This can last between two and eight hours. If it persists, we will follow up with you during your post-operative care call or visit.
• Dry Socket — A lot of people worry about dry sockets occurring after a tooth has been extracted. By following our aftercare instructions, you will prevent a dry socket from occurring. During the procedure, our doctors have done everything they could to prevent this delay in healing from happening.

Post-Op Instructions After Oral Surgery: Eating and Activity

After your oral procedure, you should avoid carbonated and alcoholic beverages for at least five days to reduce the risk of a dry socket. You should also avoid smoking for five days to allow the healing process to happen uninterrupted. Do not use straws for five days after your surgery, either. The sucking motion that straws and smoking create can cause the sutures to fall out before they are ready and can lead to slower healing. When it comes to eating after your operation, you should restrict your diet to cool liquids and soft foods for the first 24 hours. You can drink warm liquids when the bleeding has stopped, and the numbness has worn off. As your healing progresses, you can start eating regular food while continuing to avoid anything that may get lodged in the surgical site. Make sure you are not chewing on the surgical site when eating. Avoid strenuous physical activity on the day of the procedure and two days after the operation. Avoid playing any wind instruments for at least a week after your operation.

Oral Hygiene Post-Operative Instruction

Following your surgery at Austin Oral Surgery, it is vital that you maintain good oral hygiene. This means lightly brushing and rinsing on the evening of your surgery. You should avoid brushing or rinsing rigorously for the first 24 hours post-op. Doing this can dislodge the formed blood clot and delay your healing process. When you do brush your teeth, avoid brushing the surgical site. If you are prescribed a mouth rinse, rinse gently, following the instructions on the bottle. If you have not been prescribed a mouth rinse, rinse your mouth with lightly salted warm water four to 6 times a day. Make sure to avoid using any over-the-counter mouthwash for five days after your surgery.

Schedule Your Post-Op Visit

If you have followed our post-op surgical instructions in Austin, TX, then you should have no problems to face at your post-op visit to our office. We have twelve convenient locations as well, so if you can’t make it to our Austin, TX location, you can visit any of our locations in Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Georgetown, San Marcos, La Grange, Marble Falls, Temple, Dripping Springs, South Austin, or North Austin, TX. Our post-op surgical instructions have been provided for your health and safety. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to give us a call today.