You’ve taken a big step forward toward better oral health—and we’re here to make sure the healing process goes just as smoothly. Here, you’ll find everything you need to feel supported, informed, and confident as you heal. And if you have any questions, our team is just a phone call away.
Immediate Post-Surgery Care
Once your procedure is complete, you’ll need a little extra support at home. It’s important for you to designate a responsible adult to come with you to your appointment. They’ll stay during the procedure and then drive you home afterward. You’ll also need someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours, especially if you had IV sedation.
Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. Put your feet up, get comfortable, and avoid any lifting, bending, or strenuous activity. Even light exercise can interfere with healing, so give yourself permission to rest. Swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness are all normal in the first few days. These symptoms usually begin to improve after 48-72 hours.
Managing Discomfort and Pain
While some discomfort is expected after oral surgery, we’ll help you manage it effectively and promote optimal healing. Most patients do well with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can alternate or combine them depending on your doctor’s advice. If a stronger prescription medication is given, please be sure to take it with food, to avoid nausea. Don’t wait until the discomfort is too intense—start your medication before the numbness wears off.
For the first 24–48 hours, ice packs are a great way to reduce swelling. Apply for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off and place a towel between the ice and your skin. After two days, you can switch to warm compresses if swelling persists.
Bleeding Control
It’s common to have light bleeding or pink saliva for the first 24 hours. We’ll place gauze over the surgical area before you leave, and you should gently bite on it until the bleeding slows. You can change the gauze as needed, usually every 30–45 minutes. If bleeding continues, try placing a damp tea bag in the area and apply gentle pressure.
To help the blood clot form properly, avoid spitting, drinking through a straw, smoking, or creating suction in your mouth. Keep your head elevated, even while sleeping, to minimize bleeding and swelling.
Eating and Drinking
Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days. Think smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, and lukewarm soups. Stay away from anything hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy. As your healing progresses, you’ll be able to ease back into more solid foods, but don’t rush it. Let comfort and your doctor’s instructions guide you.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Skip alcohol and caffeine during recovery—they can slow healing and cause dehydration. If you’re diabetic, monitor your glucose levels closely and follow your physician’s instructions carefully.
Oral Hygiene
While it’s important to keep your mouth clean, it’s just as important to be gentle while you recover. If your doctor says it’s okay, you can softly brush your teeth as normal, but avoid the surgical area for the first few days. If you were given a prescription mouth rinse, use it as directed. Otherwise, a simple saltwater rinse (half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) 4–5 times a day is helpful.
Start rinsing on the second day after surgery and continue for at least a week. Avoid commercial mouthwashes unless we’ve given you the okay to use them.
Activity Restrictions
Healing takes energy, so give your body time to rest. Hold off on heavy lifting, intense workouts, or anything that puts strain on your body for at least a week—sometimes longer, depending on your procedure. You can return to light walking and daily activities as you start to feel better, but always listen to your body and follow your surgeon’s timeline.
Medications
You may be prescribed antibiotics, pain relievers, or anti-inflammatory medications. Follow the instructions carefully and take all doses on schedule. Even if you start feeling better, finish the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed. It’s the best way to prevent infection and support long-term healing.
While it’s rare, if you have any adverse reactions—such as rash, itching, vomiting, or trouble breathing—stop taking the medication and call our office immediately.
Follow-Up Care
Your follow-up visit is just as important as the surgery itself. We’ll check how things are healing, remove any sutures if needed, and answer your questions about the next steps.
Please keep an eye out for the following signs and let us know right away if they occur:
- Excessive or prolonged bleeding
- Severe pain that isn’t helped by medication
- Signs of infection (fever, excess swelling, etc.)
Our team is here to support you every step of the way. If anything doesn’t feel quite right, please give us a call right away—we’d rather you call with a small question than wait on a bigger issue.
