SOUTHERN WYOMING PERIODONTICS
Pre & Post-Operative Instructions
PRE & POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
For a Healthy, Stress-Free Recovery
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Your Comfort Starts with Preparation
- Eat a normal breakfast or lunch on the day of surgery, unless directed to hold food/drink for an IV Sedation procedure.
- Take all medication you would normally take as directed for other medical reasons. Be sure Dr. Shumaker, Dr. Allen, or Dr. Sands know all medications you take; including Aspirin, Ibuprofen, vitamins, and herbal supplements. If you are a diabetic undergoing an IV Sedation procedure, be advised that Dr. Shumaker will give you specific instructions regarding your diabetes medications. For procedures without IV sedation diabetic patients should follow their normal medication regimen.
- Wear comfortable, open-collared, loose-waisted clothing to the surgery appointment.
- Please leave out contact lenses if you wear them.
- Prepare several cold packs at home by putting damp washcloths in small plastic bags and freezing them, or have small bags of frozen peas available.
- If you are taking aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, or additional vitamin or herbal supplements, please advise Dr. Shumaker, Dr. Allen, or Dr. Sands; you may need to discontinue them 7-10 days prior to your surgery.
- Diabetic patients, please ensure you eat a normal breakfast and take your normal medications or insulin on the day of your procedure unless directed otherwise by the doctors.
- Be prepared at home to eat a soft diet for 1-2 weeks after surgery. For suggestions for soft diet items see our Soft Diet Recipes page on our website.
- Patients undergoing procedures under Oral Sedation or IV Sedation please follow additional instructions given at your pre-operative consultation visit.
PRE-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-Anesthesia Instructions
for IV Sedation & General Anesthesia
- Take nothing by mouth for 8 hours before your appointment. Understand that you are allowed to have a small amount of clear liquids, such as water or clear juice, up to 3 hours before the appointment.
- Arrange for an escort (an adult/person over the age of 18) to drive you to and from your appointment. You cannot drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after an IV sedation procedure.
- Take all prescription medications you normally take; hold all over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements on the day of your procedure.
- If you are DIABETIC please make sure you have specific directions from Drs. Shumaker, Sands, and Allen.
- Wear comfortable loose-fitting and sleeveless clothing.
- Leave contact lenses out if you wear them
- Prepare several cold packs such as frozen peas or damp washcloths frozen in plastic bags.
- DO NOT DRIVE any vehicle or operate any other machine for 24 hours after your procedure until you are fully recovered from the effects of the anesthesia given to you.
- Inform Drs. Shumaker, Sands, and Allen of ANY MEDICATIONS or DRUGS that you have taken in the past month including alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs, aspirin, birth control pills, or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
- Do not take any sedatives or other pain medications for 24 hours after the procedure except for those prescribed by Drs. Shumaker, Sands, and Allen.
- Do not drink any drinks that contain alcohol for at least 24 hours before and after treatment.
- Be aware that 30 minutes after the first meal following treatment you may again notice some sedative effects such as sleepiness, tiredness, or dizziness. Understand that this is entirely normal.
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Recover Faster with Proper Aftercare
Day of Surgery
- Ice packs should be applied to your face over areas operated on, 10 on, 10 minutes off, to prevent pain and swelling. Good ice packs include small bags of frozen vegetables (such as frozen peas), or wet washcloths frozen in plastic bags.
- Melt ice chips in your mouth.
- Take your prescriptions.
Prescriptions
- Antibiotic, take the entire prescription as directed.
- Medication for the pain is to be taken when required for comfort. Do not drive, operate household or heavy machinery, or sign legal documents when taking a narcotic.
- A medicated mouth rinse is to be used as directed.
- If you react to any medications prescribed, discontinue use and contact, Dr. Shumaker, Dr. Allen, or Dr. Sands immediately.
After Packing Falls Off
- Saltwater rinse (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water), 2 x a day.
Brushing
- Brush and floss as you normally do, avoiding surgical sites and areas with packing material.
Packing
- Pink material protects wounds (may discolor).
- Packing needs to stay on for 2-3 days. It will fall off on its own. It is ok if it stays on longer.
- Never remove the packing yourself, (unless visibly loose).
- If packing falls off before 2-3 days, call us to have it replaced.
Bleeding
- The surgery site may ooze for several hours after the procedure.
- If bleeding is excessive soak a black tea bag (Lipton) with cold water and apply pressure to the area for 45-60 minutes.
- If bleeding persists, contact Dr. Shumaker, Dr. Sands, or Dr. Allen
Sinus Precautions (If you had sinus procedures)
- No nose blowing for two weeks
- DO NOT hold a sneeze in (open your mouth when you sneeze)
- Take all medications as prescribed by Dr. Shumaker, Dr. Allen, or Dr. Sands.