Before & After Oral Surgery

For the best and most comfortable recovery period, please read your postoperative instructions carefully with your caregiver when you arrive home---and again the next morning!!!

Your caregiver should read the instructions and help you follow them as carefully as possible. It is common for patients and caregivers to have questions and issues that are easily resolved by carefully reading and following the written postoperative instructions that we give to patients on the day of surgery. We care about you and want you to have the best, most comfortable recovery possible. Please call us if you have questions or concerns. We are here to help.

1. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING EIGHT (8) HOURS BEFORE YOUR SURGERY . This includes water, candy, gum, and mints. You can brush your teeth as long as you do not swallow any water. If you eat or drink anything during the designated fasting period, your surgery will have to be rescheduled.

2. If you are taking medications prescribed by your physician, most medications can be taken later in the day after your surgery, but this is not always the case. If you have any history of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney, liver, heart, lung, or breathing problems, as well as any other medical conditions, we will discuss your specific medication needs during the consultation visit. Do not take any medications before the surgery unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Mack or Dr. Thomas.

3. You must be accompanied to your surgery appointment by a responsible adult who will drive you home, as you will be unable to drive for 24 hours after being sedated. We ask that the adult accompanying you to your appointment remain in the office until the surgery is complete, which is usually forty-five (45) minutes to one (1) hour depending on the complexity of the surgery. We will explain the postoperative instructions to the responsible adult accompanying you before we discharge you into their care. You will also need to arrange for a responsible adult to take care of you until: the anesthesia has worn off, you are fully alert and recovered from the anesthesia, and you are able to take care of yourself without assistance (generally the next day). You should not make any important decisions or sign any contracts for at least 24 hours after your surgery.

4. Please wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up above the elbow easily.

5. Please do not smoke on the day of surgery as well as 3-5 days after surgery if at all possible. Smoking increases your risk of developing a painful condition called a dry socket.

6. Please notify the office if you start to run a fever or become sick the night before or morning of your surgery.

7. Anticipate a softer diet for the first few days after your surgery. We recommend softer, mushy foods such as Jell-O ^® , pudding, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup, ice cream, yogurt, etc…

8. You will need ice packs after surgery to help reduce swelling, especially for wisdom teeth extractions or more extensive procedures. If you do not have access to an ice pack you can also try ice in a zip-lock bag or an unopened bag of frozen vegetables.

9. Plan for a relatively inactive period for the first few days after surgery. Avoid strenuous activities that require an excessive amount of energy or movement.

10. We generally schedule an hour for sedated patients. If for some reason you are unable to make it to your appointment, we ask that you kindly give us at least a twenty-four (24) hour notice so we may devote this time to another patient.

If you have any questions before your surgery, please do not hesitate to contact our office as soon as possible so we may assist you. Again, the number to our Nashville office is (615) 873-4495 and our Cool Springs office is (615) 221-0012. We look forward to seeing you on your surgery day!