Post-Op Instructions - Dental Specialty Group

Dental Specialty Group North Toronto North York Kitchener Periodontal

Dental Specialty Group Toronto North York Dentist

Post-Operative Home Care Instructions

Our goal is for your healing process after an extraction to be as comfortable as possible. The removal of teeth is a surgical procedure, and post-operative care is important. Please follow all instructions carefully to avoid any unnecessary pain and possible infection.

***NOTE: YOU MUST NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS AFTER FOLLOWING SURGERY. YOU WILL NEED A DIVER TO TAKE YOU HOME AND BE WITH YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY.

Immediately Following a Tooth (Teeth) Extraction(s):

1. Keep the gauze pad placed on surgical area and apply pressure by biting on the gauze until the bleeding stops.

2. Once at home, a soft diet is best for the next 3 days. A list of recommended foods is attached. It is imperative to maintain an adequate fluid intake (at least 8 glasses of 8oz per day). Start off on a soft diet and progress to harder food when chewing becomes more comfortable.

Some discomfort is normal after a tooth (teeth) extraction(s). Should you require pain medication after the completion of your prescribed pain medications, please use the following pain management regimen:

• For discomfort or pain use Advil 200 mg, 3 tablets every 7 hours.

AND/OR

• For discomfort or pain use Tylenol 500mg, 2 tablets every 7 hours.

3. Take all medications as directed and make sure you have something in your stomach before you take the pain medication. Nausea can occur after the procedure, so it is important that you eat to avoid having that. If nausea is persistent or vomiting occurs, please contact the office. It is important to take the pain medication before the numbness wears off. The pain medication can cause constipation. Therefore, the use of laxative may be necessary (please consult your family doctor/pharmacist prior to the consumption of laxatives).

4. DO NOT rinse, spit, brush your teeth, suck on a straw or smoke for the next 24 hours after surgery.

• Mouth rinsing or touching the affected area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding caused by dislodging the clot that has fmmed. After the first 24 hours, use warm saltwater rinses every 4 hours and after meals to flush out particles of food and debris that may lodge in the area. You can start gentle brushing 24 hours after surgery.

Bleeding – A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following an extraction. Slight bleeding, oozing or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Bleeding is best controlled by the use of pressure. Place a folded gauze pad over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes. Repeat until bleeding stops. If you run out of gauze or bleeding has not decreased in 3-4 hours, dampen a tea bag, and place it over the extraction site. The tannic acid in the tea helps the blood clot.

Swelling – The amount of swelling that is normally expected after an extraction depends on the type of extraction. Swelling around the mouth, cheek, eyes and side of the face is not uncommon. The swelling might not appear immediately, and it may occur up to 2-3 days post-surgery. You can help to minimize the swelling by applying ice packs to the affected area. For the first 3 hours, apply the ice packs directly to the area. Alternating on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes. Applying ice after 24 hours has no beneficial effect.

Nausea– Nausea is usually caused by the anesthetic or the pain medication. If this occurs GRAVOL can be taken

Pain – Post operative pain will be the most intense the first day after surgery. It is beneficial to take your pain medication before your numbness wears off. Pain or discomfort following the extraction should subside more and more each day. DO NOT drink alcohol when taking pain medication and avoid using pain medication on an empty stomach.

Antibiotics – Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infection. If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the medicine as directed. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or any other reaction that you may have.

Sutures – If any non-resorbable sutures were required, please keep your appointment which will be made for 7-10 days after the extraction. If resorbable sutures were placed, they will dissolve between 3 – 7 days.

Activity – Over-exertion may start or intensify your pain. AVOID excessive work or play. It is not necessary to stay indoors following the extraction. However, rest and minimal activity will help minimize pain, swelling and bleeding. Normal activity may be resumed the following day as tolerated.

Cleaning – Do not rinse or spit for the first 24 hours following your extraction. After the first 24 hours, you should begin rinsing four times a day and after eating each meal. Do this gently in order to avoid dislodging. To rinse, mix a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Clean the rest of your mouth as usual.

Diet – It is advisable to eat only soft, non-spicy food for the first few days following your extraction. AVOID hot food or liquid that could agitate the already inflamed area. AVOID foods that are ve1y small that may become lodged in the area such as rice.

Dry Socket- A dry socket is the loss of the blood clot in the socket. This condition creates a delayed healing at the extraction area and can cause pain in the ear, chin, adjacent teeth and jaw. The discomfort usually begins about the third or fourth day after the surgery and can last for many days.

If you have any difficulties or concerns following your surgical procedures, please do not hesitate to call us at 416-663-4758

Recommended Food List Following Oral Surgery

Patients who are well prepared for their surgery usually end up having a smoother recovery. We advise our patients to plan and buy some soft food items prior to surgery. The following are some examples of soft food items to be consumed following surgery:

Hearty soups (cream of asparagus, lentil minestrone, split pea)
Juices (cranberry, apple, grape) avoid citrus juices for a few days
Herbal Tea
Jell-O
Yogurt (soft or frozen)
Pudding/Custard
Soft Fruits (banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches, or pears)
Applesauce
Popsicles
Ice Cream and Milkshakes – NOTHING THROUGH A STRAW
Oatmeal/Cream of Wheat
Eggs (scrambled, soft boiled, egg salad)
Mashed Potatoes
Rice or Risotto
Tofu
Pasta (plain or with sauce)
Fish (soft white fish, sole trout)

Please AVOID the following foods for the first week following surgery:
Spicy Foods
Foods that are difficult to chew (steak, poultry, deli meats)
Popcorn, pretzels, chips
Crusty bread, bagels, cookies
Alcoholic beverages

On the day of your surgery, once home, begin with CLEAR FLUIDS (juices, luke-warm broth, tea, Jell-O) and then progress slowly to more substantial foods. Remember, it is important to maintain nutrition for optimal healing to occur.

Dr. John Gay graduated with a B.A.Sc. In Mechanical Engineering in 1972 from the University of Toronto and further pursued his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1977 and was awarded the Albert E. Webster Memorial Scholarship for Operative Dentistry.

Dr. Gay completed an internship at St Michael’s Hospital in 1978 and completed his diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Anesthesia at the University of Toronto in 1981.

Dr Gay was a former director of Oral Surgery at St Michael’s Hospital and a former Chief of Surgery at Doctors Hospital. As such he was actively involved with undergraduate and post-graduate Dental Internship training as well as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery programs. Dr. Gay was also part of the faculty at the University of Toronto within the Implant Research Group.

Dr. Alfred Chu graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1976 from Loyola University of Los Angles. He later graduated from the Washington University School of Dentistry in 1979 as a Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Chu completed his residency at the UCLA Hospital with a diploma in Hospital Dentistry in 1981. Discovering a passion for oral surgery, he continued his training with a diploma in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery with a residency at the University of Toronto in 1984.

Through his extensive educational background, Dr. Chu earned many awards of Excellence including the Highest Scholarship Average in Dentistry and Outstanding Performance in Oral Surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Chu enjoys spending time with his wife and three grown children, traveling and discovering new and special places to visit around the world and enjoying different food experiences.

Dr. Garry Toor received his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Certificate from the University of Toronto in 2016. Prior to his residency, Dr. Toor completed his undergraduate dental training at the University of Toronto followed by a 1-year internship at the Health Science Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2011. Since graduation, Dr. Toor has been working in private practice as well as at Hamilton General Hospital and McMaster Children’s Hospital where he teaches surgical residents in training. Dr. Toor has extensive background in immediate implants and believes in providing his patients with teeth in a day.

Prior to pursuing a career in health care, Dr. Toor played hockey in the Western Hockey League followed by professional hockey in Europe. (Warning, consultations may run longer if Dr. Toor starts talking about hockey). Outside of work, Dr. Toor enjoys playing hockey, coaching kids’ hockey, attempting golf and above all spending time with his lovely wife and chasing after their two kids.