SAfter Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Home Instructions After Impacted Tooth Exposure

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 pack 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 it feels comfortable to do so, unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication BEFORE you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.

For moderate pain:
3 tablets of 200mg Ibuprofen (over the counter) every 6 hours. You can alternate with 2 tablets of 500mg Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 hours if needed. Take the Ibuprofen first, then 3 hours later take the Tylenol. 3 hours after the Tylenol, take the next dose of Ibuprofen, and then continue the alternation schedule every 3 hours while awake.

For severe pain:
Narcotic pain medications can be prescribed and the medication should be taken as directed.
Narcotic pain medications do not help with swelling so they should still be alternated with Ibuprofen.
3 tablets of 200mg Ibuprofen (over the counter) or 600mg prescription strength Ibuprofen every 6 hours. You can alternate with 1 table of Norco or similar narcotic pain medication every 6 hours if needed. Take the Ibuprofen first, then 3 hours later take the narcotic. 3 hours after the narcotic, take the next dose of Ibuprofen, and then continue the alternation schedule every 3 hours while awake.

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.

Sample schedule:
8-9am: Surgery
10:00am: Ibuprofen 600mg
1:00pm: Tylenol 100mg if mild to moderate pain, Norco 5/325mg if severe pain 
4:00pm: Ibuprofen 600mg
7:00pm: Tylenol 100mg if mild to moderate pain, Norco 5/325mg if severe pain 
10:00pm: Ibuprofen 600mg
* Overnight dosing depends on pain control. If pain has been difficult to control, set an alarm for every 3 hours and stay on the schedule as above. If pain has been easy to control, set the next dose of pain medication by the bed with water and plan to take if you wake up in pain during the night. 

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) 3-4 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.