This document provides post-operative dental care instructions for adults. It advises biting on gauze or a tea bag to stop bleeding, using ice packs the first day, and rinsing with warm salt water afterwards to keep the mouth clean and aid healing. Patients are warned not to smoke, spit or use straws, and to return for follow-up care to ensure proper healing of the treated area.

1. DENTAL CARE AT MEMORIAL SOUTHWEST
Steve Fortenberry, D.D.S.
J.C. Martinez, D.D.S.
7737 Southwest Freeway, Suite 960
Houston, TX 77074
713-774-9774
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS-ADULTS
PROPER CARE OF YOUR MOUTH AFTER DENTAL PROCEDURES CAN
REDUCE COMPLICATIONS AND AID IN HEALING!
IMMEDIATE CARE OF THE MOUTH: Bite on a piece of sterile gauze or a tea bag
and apply this pressure to the area for 45 minutes or until most of the bleeding stops. A
light oozing may continue through the first night, you may want to sleep on an old
pillowcase or place a towel on your pillow.
The formation of a blood clot is necessary for healing; the above procedure will help your
body with this. If the blood clot is retained, the healing process will replace it with
normal bone and gum tissue. If the blood clot is lost healing will be slowed greatly and it
will be painful. To help prevent this from occurring, be sure and keep your mouth clean.
DO NOT pick at or force the blood clot to be dislodged. DO NOT SMOKE! Smoking
in the wound and this will be painful and delay the healing time. Also, do not spit, use a
straw to drink with or hold back a sneeze. These activities create suction in your mouth
and can dislodge the clot causing severe pain.
DISCOMFORT: Some discomfort and swelling will occur following surgery. Control
discomfort with the prescribed medication as indicated. If any rash, itching or any other
allergic reaction occurs stop taking your medication and call Dr. Fortenberry or Dr.
Martinez IMMEDIATELY. In order to control swelling, on the day of surgery place an
icepack on the outside of your face over the surgical area for 30 minutes on and 30
minutes off. If both sides have been treated, alternate the icepack between sides for 30
minutes each side. If you feel you are experiencing unusual pain, contact Dr. Fortenberry
or Dr. Martinez at 713-774-9774.
THE DAY AFTER SURGERY: Icepacks are not necessary after the first day. Keep
the teeth clean and rinse the entire mouth paying particular attention to the treated area
with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8oz. of warm water). Use the salt-water
rinse every 1 to 2 hours for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th days after surgery. After that rinse at least
3 times per day. REMEMBER A CLEAN MOUTH HELPS HEALING.

2. DIET: Avoid using the treated area. STAY AWAY FROM IRRITATING FOODS AND
BEVERAGES (i.e. liquids which are too hot or too cold, too acidic or contain alcohol
and foods which are sharp or crunchy, like chips or popcorn). Eat good nutritious foods
and consume plenty of liquids. Sample beverages or fruit juices which are not too acidic.
Sample foods could be oatmeal, cottage cheese, bananas, canned peaches, vegetable
soup, or pasta with ground beef and tomato sauce.
AFTER CARE: Return for your post operative appointment so the area can be checked
and any sutures removed and any further instructions may be given.
Summary:
DO NOT SMOKE, SPIT, OR SUCK ON STRAWS.
FIRST DAY: Use ice packs and expect light ooze of blood.
AFTER THE FIRST DAY: Rinse with warm salt water and keep clean.
Be sure to keep your post-operative appointment. It is very important that Dr.
Fortenberry or Dr. Martinez examine the treated area for proper healing.