After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

Home Instructions After Impacted Tooth Exposure

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After Impacted tooth exposure, do not disturb the wound. If surgical packing was placed, leave it alone. The packing helps to keep the tooth exposed. If it gets dislodged or falls out, do not get alarmed but please contact our office for instructions.

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 bag 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 cool, soft food and liquids on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

Pain

You should begin taking the ibuprofen (if prescribed) and the over the counter acetaminophen or Tylenol (not prescribed) before the numbing or local anesthesia wears off and you feel okay swallowing.  This typically will be within 2-4 hours after the surgery. We typically have patients take 600mg-800mg every 6-8 hours at the same time as 1-2 tabs of OTC (over the counter) extra strength acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Studies have shown taking ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) concurrently with acetaminophen (Tylenol) works better than rotating them or staggering the doses.  We also recommend taking the Ultram or Tramadol (if prescribed) with the ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and Tylenol if needed.  If you elected to take OTC ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) it comes in 200mg tablets.  You can take three to four OTC tablets of ibuprofen if you elected to not fill your prescription.

Do not exceed 3200mg daily for ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) for an adult.  Do not exceed 3000 mg daily of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for an adult.

For our pediatric patients please follow the instructions on the bottle as prescribed or the over the counter instructions if not given a prescription.

For our patients that elected to have the Exparel (long acting local anesthesia) injections you will hopefully have great pain relief for 2-4 days at the surgical sites.  This does not mean no pain, as some discomfort is still normal.  Please take the ibuprofen and Tylenol as needed and as explained above.

For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed. 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.

Oral Hygiene

Oral cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth avoiding the surgical sites. Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six 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.