Keep biting on a gauze pad with slight pressure for 2-3 hours. Saliva with a slight red color is normal (for the next few days).
Avoid swishing, or sucking through a straw in order for your body to form a good clot and start healing. Be sure to chew on the opposite side for 24 hours.
Do not brush your teeth for the first 8 hours after surgery. After this, you may brush your teeth gently, but avoid the area of surgery for 3 days. Avoid all rinsing or swishing for 24 hours as well. After this, you may begin gentle rinsing with Antiseptic Mouthwash (Listerine or Colgate)
Smoking should be stopped following surgery. The suction created when inhaling cigarettes can dislodge the clot.
Nausea can be caused by taking pain medications on an empty stomach. Reduce nausea by preceding each pain pill with soft food, and taking the pill with a large glass of water.
Applying an ice bag to the face over the operated area will minimize swelling.
The local anesthetic will cause you to be numb for several hours. Be very careful not to bite, chew, pinch. or scratch the numb area.
Eat soft foods for several days. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours.
Rest and avoid strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Keeping blood pressure lower will reduce bleeding and aid healing.
If you were given an antibiotic prescription, take all of them as directed until they are gone.
If your sinus was involved in the procedure, you should avoid blowing your nose hard or playing a wind musical instrument for one week. Use of decongestant medications might be recommended
You may need to return to the office to have sutures removed, or just for a brief follow-up healing check. Please call your dentist if you have: uncontrollable pain, excessive or severe bleeding, marked fever, excessive warm swelling occurring a few days after the procedure, or reactions to medications, especially rash, itching, or breathing problems
Following these instructions very closely will greatly help your comfort, and promote uneventful healing of the area. If any of the instructions are not followed, you might have significantly more discomfort, and the success of the procedure may be affected.