INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING YOUR SURGERY

Our office has provided these instructions to answer any questions you may have following your surgery.

1) Apply cold compresses to the outside of your face in the area of your surgery, 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off until you go to sleep. You should continue to use ice after the first 24 hours, although it will have a lesser effect. The swelling will most likely peak on the second day after surgery. It is not unusual to have swelling and/or bruising after this treatment

2) It is important that you do not rinse your mouth for the rest of the day. Starting tomorrow, rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm tap water). Continue this until the sutures have been removed or they dissolve on their own. It is important to keep the area clean. Do this by wiping the area with gauze or by gently brushing the area with your toothbrush starting the day after your surgery. Normal brushing of the remainder of your mouth will not interfere with healing.

3) If any medication was prescribed, please take it as directed. The pain medication is to be taken every 3-4 hours after the surgery on the first day. Thereafter, it is only to be taken as needed. EXTRA STRENGTH TYLENOL can be taken in its place.

4) It will be of benefit to you to try to eat a balanced diet during the healing period. However it is best to avoid steaming hot or ice cold foods or liquids. Soft foods are advisable. Brittle items such as crackers, celery and peanuts may irritate the incision or may tear the sutures making the healing process more complicated.

5) Do not raise your lip to look at the area. Try to avoid talking as much as you can during the initial period after the surgery. Any unnecessary movement may disrupt the sutures and the healing process.

6) Do not smoke for a period of at least 24 hours after your surgery.

7) Should you have any questions or experience any problems, please do not hesitate to contact the office, at 306-979-3636 via email at carlos@eighthstreetendodontics.com or to the emergency mobile number provided after your surgery.