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 be available to answer any questions you may have and will send you home with a recovery kit, which includes printed recovery instructions, a drug schedule, and top shelf ice cream!

• 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 and gloves 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.