Pre & Post-Op Guide

Postoperative Guidelines

Please Review These Instructions Carefully

Following your surgery, it’s important to adhere to these guidelines to ensure a smooth recovery. While the effects of oral surgery vary, the following instructions cover most situations. If you have any concerns, please contact our office.

Day Of Surgery

• Bleeding: It is normal to experience some bleeding for up to 24 hours. Change the gauze every 30 minutes or as needed. Once the bleeding stops, you can stop using gauze. If you experience excessive bleeding, bite down on two thick tea bags. If bleeding persists, contact our office.
• Bruising: Some patients may experience bruising, while others may not.
• Swelling: Swelling is normal and typically peaks within three or four days. After that, it should begin to subside. Use an ice pack on the first day only, alternating between cheeks every 20 minutes to help reduce swelling.
• Limited jaw opening: Difficulty opening your mouth wide is common after wisdom teeth extractions. On days two through five, use a wet washcloth warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds. Apply it to your face for 15 minutes, alternating with mouth-opening exercises.
• Jaw fracture: The jaw is weakened after surgery, and engaging in high-impact sports or consuming hard foods can increase the risk of fracture. Avoid these activities and foods for two weeks after surgery.
• Discomfort: Expect the most discomfort within the first 48-72 hours. Alternate between the prescribed narcotic and non-narcotic pain medications as directed.
• Nausea: Nausea is a common side effect of narcotics. If you feel nauseous, switch to non-narcotic medication. Contact our office if you require additional medication for nausea.
• Dry socket: To prevent dry sockets, avoid allowing food to get into the extraction sites. Do not spit, use straws, or smoke, as these actions can dislodge the blood clot.
• Caring for surgical sites: Avoid disturbing the surgical sites. Do not peek, poke, or stretch your lips or cheeks. Keep your tongue away from the area, and refrain from pulling on your cheek, as this can tear sutures.
• Rinsing/spitting: If prescribed, gently begin rinsing your mouth 24 hours after surgery. Use the antibacterial mouth rinse for 30 seconds, followed by gentle spitting, three times daily.
• Foods/drinks: Avoid crunchy, small, grainy, or sharp foods, as well as carbonated drinks (e.g., granola, rice, seeds, chips, soda, and orange juice). Start with a soft, cold-to-room temperature diet for the first 24 hours (e.g., ice cream, yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, water, Gatorade/Powerade). After the first 24 hours, you can transition to warm soft foods (e.g., mashed potatoes & soup).
• Infection: Signs of infection include fever and pus drainage. If you notice these symptoms, please contact our office.
• Allergic reactions: If you experience hives, redness, or itching, take 25 mg-50 mg of Benadryl and contact our office. If you have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or sudden swelling of the lips or tongue, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
• Positioning: Keep your head elevated with several pillows or in a recliner for the first 48 hours to minimize bleeding.
• Sutures: Sutures typically dissolve within five to seven days. If they become loose or fall out sooner, this is normal and should not cause concern. Re-suturing is not typically necessary.