Icing is most effective when done early after surgery.Ice the face for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time and then take at least a 20-minute break before reapplying ice. Keep your head elevated (head above the heart) for the first 48 hours. Sleep with head elevated for the first 2 nights if possible.The peak swelling will be on the second or third day. Facial swelling will slowly develop over the first 48-72 hours. Not much swelling will be evident on the first day.For bleeding that is not slowing or has not resolved by early the next day, please call the office for advice.Place the tea bag in water, squeeze out excess water, wrap in single gauze, and use in the same fashion as a gauze pack. For persistent bleeding, a moistened non-herbal tea bag may be used.Although unlikely, if bleeding resumes, the process should be restarted. Although unusual, it is sometimes necessary to use gauze overnight.If unsure, continue with gauze until about an hour before bedtime. You should expect small amounts of oozing and discoloration of saliva until the next day. Keep replacing the gauze packs until bleeding appears to have minimized.The general progression should be from darker to lighter red with increasing areas of gauze staying white. With each gauze change, the amount of blood on the pack should be subsequently less.Try to time your consumption of these liquids with scheduled gauze changes. Leave gauze packs in place while consuming clear liquids with a cup or spoon. A change of gauze after consuming anything but water is recommended.Try to minimize frequent gauze changes as this only disrupts the blood clot and stimulates more bleeding. Ideally, gauze packs should not be changed more frequently than every 2 hours. Heavily saturated or contaminated gauze may be changed before 2 hours.To exert the necessary pressure, the gauze pack must be behind the last teeth, positioned towards the cheek (not the tongue), and large enough that when biting down, all the teeth are prevented from touching. After surgery, your surgical assistant will review the proper technique with you before discharge home. Gauze packs must be properly placed to be effective.This is accomplished with constant, firm biting pressure on the gauze pack. Gauze packs provide pressure on the extraction sites which helps to slow and stop bleeding.Occasionally, bleeding persists to the next day. Most bleeding stops or decreases to a slow oozing on the first day.Do not use a straw or spit for 48 hours after surgery. This will encourage bleeding.The operator will take your name and phone number that will be forwarded to Dr. Please follow the prompts or wait on the line and an operator will assist you. If you are having a problem after regular office hours and need to speak with Dr. However, when in doubt, please follow these guidelines or call the office for clarification. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so all these instructions may not apply.
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