BLEEDING
The gauze pack in your mouth should remain in place with biting pressure for at least 30 minutes after you leave the office. If the bleeding persists or starts again, inspect the wound and remove any blood clot which extends beyond the gum. The area should now be covered with a clean damp gauze pad or moistened tea bag and biting pressure applied against the wound for another 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary, but remember that a small amount of bleeding is to be expected for 24 to 48 hours and this will tend to discolor saliva. Sit upright or keep your head elevated with a pillow, remain quiet, avoid talking while biting on the pack and be sure not to do any spitting.

DIET AND CARE OF THE MOUTH
Do not rinse your mouth the day of surgery as this may dislodge blood clots and interrupt normal healing4k Do not drink through a straw. The morning after, rinse gently with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of hot water). For several days you should repeat this every few hours, especially after meals. You should begin brushing your teeth the day after surgery, but do not disturb the healing wound. Eat whatever you wish. You may prefer soft or liquid foods for your own comfort, but return to a normal diet as soon as possible since this will maintain strength and aid healing.

SWELLING
Swelling of the facial tissues is a common and expected occurrence following many oral surgery procedures. The amount of swelling varies greatly from patient to patient and depends largely on the individual reaction of the patient as well as the precise nature of the surgery required. Usually swelling reaches its maximum extent on the second day after surgery and gradually subsides to normal in 5 or 6 days. To minimize swelling you may apply an ice bag or cold moist cloth to the operated side of the face as soon as you arrive home. Apply cold for 20 minutes, then off for 10 minutes. Continue to use ice to reduce pain and swelling for the first 2 days then switch to moist hot packs.

PAIN
Some discomfort or pain, after difficult or prolonged surgery, is normal and should be expected. Medication is prescribed to alleviate this. Some medicines tend to cause nausea and this may be avoided by taking the medication with milk instead of water.

NAUSEA
Nausea may occur during the initial postoperative period. Small sips of tea, 7-Up or ginger ale
may help.

DISCOLORATION
Black and blue areas may appear in the facial tissues, under your jaw, or they may extend down the neck to the chest. This is not a bruise but is the result of blood lodged in the tissues after surgery and is not a cause for alarm. Discoloration may occur at the injection area on your arm if intravenous medication was administered.

NORMAL POSTOPERATIVE CONDITIONS THAT MAY APPEAR
Your temperature may be elevated for 24 to 48 hours after the operation. The corners of your mouth may be dry and cracked, in which case cream or ointment should be placed over the areas. You may experience numbness around the corner. Tightness of the muscles may cause difficulty in opening the mouth and you may have a slight earache and/or sore throat.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR PROGRESS