After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
Home Instructions After Impacted Tooth Exposure
- After Impacted tooth exposure, do not disturb the wound.
- If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone.
- The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed.
- If it gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed but please contact our office for instructions.
Bleeding
- Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours.
- Excessive bleeding that rapidly fills your mouth with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes.
- If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.
Swelling
- Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery.
- To minimize swelling apply an ice bag or a plastic bag filled with ice cubes on your cheek near the area of surgery.
- Apply the ice as much as possible for the first 36 hours.
Diet
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Avoid hot liquids or hard foods.
- Only consume soft food and liquids on the day of surgery.
- Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.
Pain
- 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.
Oral Hygiene
- Oral cleanliness is essential to good healing.
- Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal, beginning the day after surgery.
- Brush your teeth normally if possible.
- Rinse with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day.
- Continue this procedure until healing is complete.
- REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.
Activity
- Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery.
- If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur.
- If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising.
- Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced.
- Exercise may weaken you.
- If you get light headed, stop exercising.