Post-Operative Instructions: Sinus Care After Tooth Extraction

You are being given these instructions to protect your sinuses and to help prevent complications. There is a close relationship of the teeth to the sinus and sometimes, when a tooth is removed, it will leave a communication between the mouth and the sinus. Because your sinus is unusually large, your roots long, or a combination of both, your sinus may have been exposed when the tooth was removed. It is not uncommon to have blood in the nasal discharge for several days. Notify the office if any symptoms develop that seem unusual to you.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR 14 DAYS:

• DO NOT blow your nose. Air pressure must not be increased in the nasal or sinus cavities.
• TRY NOT to sneeze. If you should, keep your mouth open to prevent an increase in air pressure in the sinus cavities.
• DO NOT use a straw.
• DO NOT spit.
• DO NOT rinse vigorously for several days. Chew on the opposite side as much as possible.
• DO NOT fly in an airplane.
• DO NOT swim or submerge your head.
• DO NOT do any vigorous exercising.
• DO NOT SMOKE.

PLEASE OBTAIN AND TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS:

• Afrin (over-the-counter nasal spray) as directed on the bottle for 3 days only.
• Sudafed ER (over the counter – ask the pharmacist) 120mg by mouth every 12 hours for the next 7-14 days. If you are still congested, continue taking every 12 hours as needed.
• Clindamycin (prescription) 300mg by mouth 3 times a day until gone for 7-14 days

or

• Amoxicillin (prescription) 500mg by mouth 3 times a day until gone for 7-14 days

It is possible that even with all these precautions, an opening from your sinus to your mouth may develop and persist. In this event, the surgical closure of this opening will be required to assure the complete healing of the extraction site and sinus cavity.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.