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Pain Managementnewframe2020-08-20T17:13:10-04:00 Pain Management after Oral SurgeryInstructions for Pain ManagementIn an effort to reduce the amount of narcotic pain medicine needed after oral surgery, we recommend the following protocol. NOTE: If you are allergic or cannot take any of these medications, please let your doctor know so that alternative protocol can be discussed.
Manage Pain with The Center’s Post Surgery Instructions Immediately Following Surgery
Bleeding A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Slight bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is not uncommon. Remember that even a small amount of blood mixed with saliva can be deceiving. Excessive bleeding may be controlled by first rinsing or wiping any old clots from your mouth, then placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for thirty minutes. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding continues, bite on a moistened tea bag for thirty minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag helps to form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, do not become excited, sit upright, and avoid exercise. If bleeding does not subside, call for further instructions. Swelling The swelling that is normally expected is usually equivalent to the type of surgery performed. Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is not uncommon. This is the body’s normal reaction to surgery and eventual repair. The swelling will not become visible until the day following surgery and will not reach its peak until 2-3 days post-op. However, the swelling may be minimized by the immediate use of ice packs. Either two baggies filled with ice or ice packs should be applied to the sides of the face where surgery was performed. The ice packs should be applied 15 minutes on/ 15 minutes off. After 36 hours, ice has no beneficial effect, and the application of moist heat to the sides of the face is more effective in reducing the swelling. If swelling or jaw stiffness persists for several days, there is no cause for alarm. Everyone is a little different, and this is a normal reaction to surgery. Pain Unfortunately, most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. We recommend you take a combination of Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. Recent studies on pain control are indicating that taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) together with acetaminophen (Tylenol®) has more significant post-operative pain relief than taking either drug alone. Also, the ibuprofen and acetaminophen combination has significantly more pain relief than narcotic medications such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Norco®, Lortab®), and oxycodone (Percocet®, Percodan®). We suggest you take 600mg of ibuprofen and 1000mg of acetaminophen at the same time. If this does not give you adequate pain relief you can alternate the 600mg of Ibuprofen with the prescribed pain medication, eliminating the acetaminophen. All medication should not exceed the recommended dosage. Discomfort should subside daily. The prescribed pain medicine will make you groggy and will slow down your reflexes. 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. Diet After general anesthesia or I.V. sedation, liquids should be initially taken. Drink from a glass. DO NOT use straws. The sucking motion can cause more bleeding by dislodging the blood clot. You may eat anything soft by chewing away from the surgical sites. Your food intake will be limited for the first few days. You should compensate for this by increasing your fluid intake. Drink enough liquid to prevent dehydration. Try not to miss a meal. You will feel better, have more strength, less discomfort and heal faster if you continue to eat. Keep the mouth clean No rinsing of any kind should be performed until the day following surgery. You can brush your teeth the night following surgery but rinse gently. The day after surgery you should begin rinsing at least 5-6 times a day especially after eating with a cup of warm water mixed with a teaspoon of salt. Discoloration In some cases, discoloration of the skin follows swelling. The development of black, blue, green, or yellow discoloration is due to blood spreading beneath the tissues. This is a normal post-operative occurrence, which may occur 2-3 days after surgery. Moist heat applied to the area may speed up the removal of the discoloration. Antibiotics If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Not all procedures require antibiotics. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Call the office if you have any questions. Nausea and Vomiting In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, do not take anything by mouth for at least an hour including the prescribed medicine. You should then sip on coke, tea, or ginger ale. You should sip slowly over a fifteen-minute period. When nausea subsides, you can begin taking solid foods and the prescribed medicine. Other Complications
Sutures Sutures are placed to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged, this is no cause for alarm. Just remove the suture from your mouth and discard it. The sutures will be removed approximately one week after surgery. The removal of sutures requires no anesthesia or needles. It takes only a minute or so, and there is no discomfort associated with this procedure. Some Final Things to Keep in Mind The pain and swelling should subside
more and more each day following surgery. If your post-operative pain or swelling worsens or unusual symptoms occur, call the office for instructions.
How long should I take ibuprofen after wisdom teeth removal?Often times after wisdom tooth removal we will prescribe a higher dose ibuprofen. This should be taken in consistent doses the first 3-5 days if tolerated to help keep inflammation down as well as help control discomfort.
How often can you take ibuprofen 800 after wisdom teeth removal?For pain, one or two tablets of Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours and Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) two to four 200 mg tablets may be taken every 6 to 8 hours.
What is the best painkiller after wisdom tooth extraction?use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (always read and follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions) – there's some evidence to suggest that ibuprofen is the best painkiller to take after having wisdom teeth removed.
Can I take 800mg of ibuprofen for wisdom teeth?As soon as you begin to feel discomfort, you should consider 600-800 mg of Ibuprofen for pain and inflammation. This will usually coincide with the local anesthetic becoming diminished. Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
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