Oral Surgery Patient After-Care Instructions

A small amount of bleeding is normal and usually stops within a few hours. Following your surgery, a gauze pressure pack may have been placed over the surgical area. Biting down on this pack applies pressure to the area and helps to stop the bleeding. Leave the original gauze pack in place for 30 minutes and then remove it. Check the surgical area and if there is still active bleeding, then apply a moist gauze pack making sure the gauze is placed directly over the extraction or surgery site. Again, leave this pack or any additional packs in place for 30 minutes. Remove or change the moistened packs as needed. Do not lie down flat until the bleeding has stopped. Do not spit, rinse, drink through a straw, brush your teeth or smoke for 24 hours. After the initial bleeding has stopped, it is common to see mild oozing or a little blood in your saliva for the next 24-48 hours. It is not necessary to place a pack if you experience either of these. Call Surgical Services if there is a persistent or vigorous bleeding that will not stop.

Stitches, also called sutures, may have been places during your surgery. Dissolving stitches (tan or yellow in color) usually last from 2 to 10 days and will dissolve or fall out on their own. If non-dissolving stitched were placed, we will inform you to return in approximately 1 week for removal. If a single stitch comes out prematurely, it does not cause any problems.

Nausea is most caused by prescribed narcotic pain medications, which should not be taken on an empty stomach. Nausea is mild, continue taking the prescription, ad if severe, discontinue the medication. Daily eating until the vomiting passes, and then start with clear liquids (water, 7-up, apple juice, etc.). Progress to full liquids as tolerated (milk, soups, etc.) and then advance to a soft chew diet.

Oral surgery procedures may cause facial swelling and possible bruising. Bruise marks may take a week to ten days to disappear. Also, as you heal, it is common for the surgical site to appear white/gray in color. For swelling we recommend that you immediately place an ice pack, wrapped in a thin cloth, on the outside of your face or check and hold it on the surgical area. Keep the pack in place for 15-20 minutes. Apply ice three times in the next 24 hours and then discontinue. Despite applying ice packs, selling may increase for 24-48 hours. After 48 hours, apply moist hear for 20 minutes three times a day. If swelling persists for several days there is no cause for alarm, this can be a normal reaction to surgery.

Good nutrition and increased fluid intake is important following oral surgery. Generally, a liquid or “soft no chew” diet is recommended for the first day or so. During the first 24 hours we recommend placing food in a blender or food processor to obtain the “soft no chew” diet, which is best. Another option is to drink Ensure or Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc. Additionally, fruit juices, ice cream, soups, milk shakes, pudding, Jello, etc. are some suggestions. Do not use a straw or smoke; avoid hot temperatures and spicy foods. Add solid foods to your diet when comfortable to chew.

Parents, please watch young children because they may chew on their lip or tongue because of the numbness. Also, do not allow them to start eating until numbness goes away.

Saltwater rinses should be initiated 24 hours after surgery. Mix one half teaspoon of table salt with 8 ounces of warm water and rinse in a slow gentle manner to avoid disrupting the newly formed blood clot. Rinse after meals and before bedtime for the first few days, which will help to keep your mouth clean and promote healing; avoid spitting and vigorous swishing.

After 24 hours you may brush your teeth, however, stay away from the surgical site. You may gently brush the surgical site after 4 days. Note: If you received a prescription for Peridex or PerioGard (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) it is not necessary to rinse with saltwater too unless otherwise instructed.

Occasionally small bony pieces or spicules will be present at the surgical site. This is not unusual. If they are small and not causing you any problems, they will usually come out on their own or be resorbed. Larger pieces of bone or those causing pain may require removal. Please call the surgical Services Dept. for an appointment if you need to be seen.