
NORTHLAND
ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: Frequent Questions
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- Post-operative
Care
Please review the following topics relating
to post-operative OMS care.
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How Do
I Manage Oral Bleeding? 
Local pressure
directly on the surgical site should control most cases of post-operative
bleeding. Biting on moist gauze pads, or moist tea bags for 30 minutes
will suffice. Please call if heavy bleeding continues.
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Should
I Be Bruising? 
Bruising seems
to be a very individual occurance. The elderly tend to bruise more
easily following oral surgery. Some coloring to the cheeks after surgery
can be normal and will resolve over a few days.
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What Is
A Dry Socket? 
Alveolar Osteitis
(dry socket) occurs in a small percentage of patients due to early
breakdown of the blood clot. This results in pain and slow healing.
Dry socket is treated by placement of a sedative dressing.
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How Much
Swelling Is Normal? 
Post-operative
edema increases for 24-48 hours, then begins to resolve. Continue
ice packs through this period. Swelling of the cheeks is less worrisome
than swelling under the jaw on the upper neck. Please call if your
edema continues to increase, or if other problems become apparent
such as difficulty swallowing, fever, etc. |
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What Causes
Post-op Nausea? 
Post-operative
nausea and vomiting is usually related to either swallowing blood
or narcotic pain medicine. Control bleeding first. Clear liquids only
and avoid dairy products. Stop taking narcotic analgesics. Please
call if n/v persists. |
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Why Is
My Lip Still Numb? 
Surgery of
the lower jaw occasionally approximates the sensory nerve to the lip
and chin. Movement of the lip remains normal. Prolonged numbness may
be due to "bruising" the nerve. Feeling usually slowly returns over
a few weeks to months. Please call our office for evaluation should
numbness persist beyond 24 hours. |
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