Surgical Instructions

Bleeding, Swelling and Pain

Following oral surgery, it's crucial to manage bleeding and swelling effectively. Gauze should be applied directly to bleeding sites with continuous pressure, ensuring the head remains elevated until bleeding stops. Change gauze as needed, using clean cloth or paper towels if necessary. The primary purpose of gauze is to apply pressure, not soak up blood. While mild bleeding overnight is common, it's unsafe to use gauze overnight. Swelling is a normal response to surgery, typically reaching its peak two to three days post-op. Ice packs should be applied immediately after surgery to minimize swelling, but should only be used for the first day. After 24 hours, switch to moist heat to aid in reducing swelling. Persistent swelling or jaw stiffness is normal and not a cause for alarm.

For pain management, ibuprofen can be taken every 6 hours for up to three days for moderate pain, while prescribed medication should be taken as directed for severe pain. Avoid taking Tylenol with prescription pain medication. Refrain from driving or operating machinery, and avoid alcohol consumption. Pain should gradually decrease each day, but persistent pain may indicate a dry socket and should be addressed by contacting the office. Overall, proper management of bleeding, swelling, and pain following oral surgery is essential for a successful recovery.

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Dry Socket, Diet and Keeping the Mouth Clean

Dry socket, affecting 10% of patients, results from a poorly formed blood clot after tooth extraction, leading to constant pain typically starting on the second to fourth day along with a bad taste or odor. Contact our office for medication to alleviate pain. Avoid hot foods and drinks while numb to prevent lip or tongue injuries; opt for soft foods like milkshakes, ice cream, and yogurt. Refrain from using straws for 48 hours to prevent dry socket. After numbness fades, resume a normal diet focusing on high-calorie, high-protein foods to aid healing. Stay hydrated with at least five to six glasses of fluids daily, even if food intake is limited initially. Rinsing the mouth with warm water four times daily and gentle tooth brushing can begin the morning after surgery to promote healing.

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Discoloration, Antibiotics, Nausea and Vomiting

Skin discoloration such as black, blue, green, or yellow is common after surgery due to blood spreading beneath the tissues, usually appearing 2-3 days post-op. Applying moist heat can help fade the discoloration. Take prescribed antibiotics until completed to prevent infection; discontinue if any adverse reactions occur and contact our office. For nausea or vomiting after surgery, refrain from oral intake for an hour, including medication. Then, slowly sip on tea, or ginger ale, as ginger aids in reducing nausea. Sip slowly over 15 minutes, and once nausea subsides, resume solid foods and medication. If you have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office.

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Other Complications

Numbness in the lip, chin, or tongue after surgery is usually temporary but be cautious as you may not feel if you bite them. Notify us if you have persistent fever. Take Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever. Be careful transitioning from lying down to standing to avoid dizziness from pain meds. Feelings of hard projections in your mouth are normal; they usually smooth out but can be removed if they persist. Keep lips moist with Vaseline to prevent dryness and cracking. Sore throats and difficulty swallowing are common and will improve within a few days. Jaw stiffness (trismus) is normal post-surgery; gently stretch your mouth wider over the first week. If you have any concerns, contact our office.

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