Recommendations following Extraction of 3^rd molars

Today we removed your wisdom teeth. This involved cutting of your gums and bone that were then closed with dissolvable sutures. Currently you are numb from the anesthetic that was given to make it possible to perform the surgery. This will wear off generally in 5-8hrs. Please take the following medications and follow these following recommendations to improve your recovery.

OUR GOAL: To allow and enhance stability of the blood clots that have formed in these extraction sites and allow them to mature and                       not be lost.

Avoid: -Sucking through straw. Pressure changes in the mouth, blowing up balloons ect.                                                                                     -Party foods(popcorn, Chips ect) for the next 2 weeks                                                                                                                                 -Alcoholic beverages or other sedatives in addition to the prescriptions given                                                                                             -Carbonated beverages for 1 week

Gauze and bleeding: -Please keep gauze and pressure in the mouth over the extraction sites for a minimum of 1 hr. Change gauze no more frequently than every 30 mins. Continue to use the gauze beyond the 1 hr if there is active bleeding in your mouth. Please call my office with concerns.

Eating: -Because your mouth is numb it is best that you eat liquid food today that requires no chewing. Once the anesthetic has worn off you can then eat soft food that does not require much chewing. Please eat a soft diet (ie mashed potatoes, soft cereal, oatmeal ect) for the next 7 days

Emergency or Problems: Please contact our office at 432-262-0704(M-Thur 8-5; Fri 8-1) or after hours at 432-235-2335.

Medication Info:

Norco: This medication is for breakthrough pain. This is hydrocodone (narcotic) compounded with Tylenol. Hence do not take it with additional Tylenol this can damage your liver. Do not mix it with other sedatives. It is best taken with food. If it gives you nausea try breaking it in half and taking half if needed. If that does not work please call my office. It can cause constipation if taking it long term so try to avoid taking it continuously but if needed take a stool softener with it. You should not drive/operate dangerous machinery or perform tasks that could place you or others in harm’s way if you are not completely awake and aware while on this medication. 

Peridex: This medication is to help prevent infection by decreasing amount of bacteria generally in the mouth. This is an antibacterial mouth rinse. Please begin using this THE DAY AFTER your surgery. DO NOT rinse vigorously with it. Please gently rinse with it. Discontinue using it after 7 days it can stain your teeth.  

Amoxicillin or Clindamycin: These are antibiotics to prevent an infection following surgery. Again bone is exposed following tooth removal and it is needed to prevent infection.

Dexamethasone: This is a steroid that will help keep your swelling down. It is important that this medication be taken according to the prescription. The majority of pain and discomfort that patients have from this type of surgery is from swelling. It will make it hard to open your mouth and painful to do so. Taking this medication will not completely cure this issue but it helps tremendously.

Motrin/ Ibuprophen or Ketolorac/ Toradol: These are a strong version of Advil and will help some with swelling but mostly is a pain control medication. I want you to take this with food every 6 hrs. until gone. This is to be your scheduled pain medication. It can cause belly pain and if this occurs or you are concerned call my office.

Ondansetron/ Zofran: This is a medication to prevent nausea usually prior to taking the narcotics. If you were given this prescription Dr. Gray feels you are high risk for nausea with taking your oral pain medications. If you were sedated you likely received this as a part of your sedation and its effects are present for the first 6-8hrs following your surgery. This may lead you to think that you do not need this medication. If you do not take it you very well may vomit following taking your narcotic pain medication. This medication works best if taken 1 hr prior to the narcotic pain medication.