HOW TO USE A SYRINGE

(Starting using syringe 5 Days AFTER your surgery)



Step 1: Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a small glass of warm water.

Step 2: Fill irrigation syringe with the salt water mixture.

Step 3: Use the syringe to irrigate each lower socket only. Make sure that you place the tip of the syringe between the gum tissue above the extraction socket.

Please see Diagram Below

Step 4: Repeat step 1-3-three times a day. Continue to use the syringe every day until the opening of the gum tissue is completely closed. This can take anywhere from | to 4 weeks depending on how fast your body heals.



Brushing: Begin your normal oral hygiene routine as soon as possible after surgery. Soreness and swelling may not permit vigorous brushing, but please make every effort to clean your teeth within the bounds of comfort.

Hot Applications: You may apply warm compresses to the skin over the areas of swelling (hot water bottle, hot moist towels, and heating pad) for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help soothe tender areas. This will also help decrease swelling and stiffness.

Healing: Normal healing after tooth extraction should be as follows: the first two days after surgery are generally the most uncomfortable and there usually some swelling, On the third day you should be more comfortable and, although still swollen, can usually begin a more substantial diet. The remainder of the post- operative course should be gradual, steady improvement. If you don’t see continued improvement, please call our office. If you are given a plastic irrigating syringe, DO NOT use it for the first 2 days. After the 5th day, use it according to the instructions until you are certain the tooth socket has closed completely and that there is no chance of any food particles lodging in the socket.

Sometimes the after effects of oral Surgery are quite minimal, so not all of the instructions may apply. Common sense will often what you should do. However, when in doubt follow these guidelines or call our office for clarification. Our number is 678-304-6494.

Day of Surgery


First Hour: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over surgical areas, making sure they remain in place. Do no change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not controlled. The packs may be gently removed after one hour. If active bleeding persists, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30 minutes. The gauze may then be changed as necessary (typically every 30 to 45 min). It is the best to moisten the gauze with tap water and loosely fluff for more comfortable positioning.

Exercise Care: Do not disturb the surgical area today. DO NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with any objects. You may brush your teeth gently. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE for at least 48 hours, since this is very detrimental to healing and may cause dry socket.

Oozing: Intermittent bleeding or oozing overnight is normal. Bleeding may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the areas and biting on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes.

Persistent Bleeding: Bleeding should never be severe, If'so, it usually means that the packs are being clenched between the teeth only and never exerting pressure on the surgical areas. Try repositioning the packs. If bleeding persists or becomes heavy you may substitute a tea bag (soaked in very hot water, squeeze damp-dry and wrapped in moist gauze) for 20 min to 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled, please call our office.

Swelling: Swelling is often associated with oral surgery. It can be minimized by using a cold pack, ice bag or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to the cheek adjacent to the surgical area, This should be applied ‘twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.

Pain: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You will usually have a prescription for pain medicine. If you take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you should be able to manage any discomfort better. Some patients find that stronger pain medicine cause nausea, but if you precede each pain pill with a small amount of food, chanced for nausea will be reduced. The effects of pain medications vary widely among individuals. If you do not achieve adequate relief at first, you may supplement each pain pill with an analgesic such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Some patients may even require two if the pain pills at on time.

Nausea: Nausea is not uncommon after surgery. Sometimes pain medications are the cause, ‘Nausea can be reduced by preceding each pain pill with a small amount of food, and taking the pill with a large volume of water. Try to keep taking clear fluids and minimize dosing of pain medications, but call us if you don’t feel better. Classic Coca Cola may help with nausea.

Diet: Eat any nourishing food that can be taken with comfort. Avoid extremely hot foods. Do not use a straw for the first few days after surgery. It is sometimes advisable, but not absolutely required, to confine the first days intake to liquids or purred foods (soup, puddings, yogurt, milk shakes, etc.). It is best to avoid foods like nuts, sunflower seeds, popcorn, etc. which may get lodged in the sockets areas. Over the next several days you may gradually progress to solid foods. It is important not to skip meals! If you take nourishment regularly you will feel better, maintain your normal eating habits or follow instructions given by your doctor.

Sharp Edges: If you feel some hard or sharp edges in the surgical area, it is likely you are feeling the bony walls which once supported the extracted teeth. Occasionally small slivers of bone may work themselves out during the following week or so. If they cause concern or discomfort, please call the office.


Instructions for the Second and Third Days


Mouth rinse: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. Use 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution, taking 5 minutes to use the entire glassful. Repeat as often as you like, but at least 2 or 3 minutes daily.