Recovery

All of our patients recover in our state-of-the-art recovery room and are monitored by registered nurses to ensure their safety. Before the procedure, we will discuss what to expect and provide helpful recovery tips.

• We will inform your driver when you are in recovery and show them to your room to go over recovery instructions.
• Your nurse will stay to answer any other questions you may have before leaving our office and will send printed recovery instructions home with you for your convenience.
• When you get home, we recommend a lot of rest, icing and to begin taking your pain medication before existing numbness wears off.
• We will send you home with a recovery kit that includes extra gauze for bleeding.
• Slight to severe tingling of the lip, chin and tongue is normal and will be temporary.
• Take off work/school the day of your procedure, as well as the following day. You may want to take off more days depending on how you feel.
• You may have been prescribed a narcotic containing pain medication (such as Norco or Oxycodone). If so, you may alternate this medication with Ibuprofen instead. For adolescent and adult patients, we recommend taking 400-600mg Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every 6 hours. You may alternate this medication with Tylenol (500-650mg) so that you are taking something for pain every 3 hours. Do not exceed 3,000 mg Tylenol or 3,200 mg of Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) daily.
• You will want to keep a small piece of gauze lightly taped over your drain to help keep the area clean and to absorb any drainage. Change the dressing as needed.
• You are welcome to shower, but please clean around your drain carefully with a mild antibacterial soap such as Dial. Lightly pat the area dry.
• You may apply ice packs to the external area for comfort (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off).
• You may begin warm saltwater soaks in the mouth. Hold the water on the affected side and work through a glass 3x/day.

• Avoid touching the wound at all costs, other than changing gauze.
• No smoking for at least 72 hours after tooth removal. We recommend permanent smoking cessation.
• Do not eat foods that leave residual particles in your mouth for four days after your procedure, e,g. popcorn, peanuts, rice and pretzels.
• Eat soft foods, such as clear soup, mashed potatoes and pudding.
• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Tell your doctor about any and all prescriptions you are taking before the procedure.
• Do not drink through a straw or suck on hard candies for one week.
• No vigorous sports or heavy lifting for 5 days.
• No jogging or playing of musical wind instruments for 4 days.

Our concern for you does not end when you leave. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call the office.