Post-Operative Instructions

Immediately Following Your Surgery

#1

Please keep light pressure on the extraction site with clean gauze for 1 hour following your procedure. When gauze needs replaced (about every 20-30 minutes), we recommend dampening the new gauze slightly with clean water prior to placement in the mouth. This will help to keep the gauze from sticking to and irritating the site. Please do not chew on the gauze during this time.

#2

Mouth rinsing and/or touching the wound area must be avoided in the first day following surgery. These may initiate further bleeding or dislodge the clot that is essential to proper healing.

#3

It is important to begin your pharmacological regiment as soon after your surgery as possible. Whether you will be using over-the-counter medicine or prescription strength pain control we advise you to begin taking those meds immediately.

#4

One day after your procedure you should begin rinsing very lightly with lukewarm salt water several times a day. Place 1 teaspoon of salt in a tall glass of clean water and swish very gently for 30 seconds for up to a week after surgery. This will help keep the area clean and promote proper healing. It is important that you do not rinse or swish too vigorously as this can disrupt the clot, causing further bleeding and delaying healing. Please do not use any over the counter mouthwash during this period. Your doctor may elect to prescribe a prescription antibiotic rinse to use in place of salt water.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Once again, this is out of an abundance of caution to you, the employees and the community.

Dr. Doug Hudoba

Clinical Director