Your oral surgeon at Legacy Oral Surgery will provide you with specific post-surgical care instructions to follow at home. Our patient resources are here to help you prepare. By following your post-operative instructions carefully, you can minimize unnecessary pain, reduce the risk of infection, and manage swelling effectively.
Here are some general post-surgical care guidelines to keep in mind.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery on the same day as your surgery.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for several days after your procedure.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but do not use a straw. The suction can dislodge a blood clot and lead to bleeding.
A small amount of bleeding from the surgical site is normal during the first 24 hours. If you notice more bleeding than expected, bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes to encourage clot formation. If the bleeding does not stop, contact our office right away.
We administer a local anesthetic for all procedures, even when general anesthesia is used. The numbness will wear off gradually, usually between six and 12 hours after surgery. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite your tongue or cheek.
Swelling is common in the first few days following oral surgery. Apply an ice pack to the swollen area for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to help reduce inflammation.
Pain management is an important part of your post-surgical care. Begin taking pain medication as directed, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. Waiting until significant pain develops can make it harder for the medication to take effect.
Depending on the type of oral surgery, your diet may need to be adjusted. You may need to stick to liquids and soft foods and avoid chewing near the incision site. We will give you specific dietary guidance before your procedure. For more on preparing for oral surgery, visit our pre-surgical care page.
Do not brush the surgical area or the surrounding teeth for 72 hours after surgery. After the first day, use a warm salt-water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water) every four hours and after meals to help flush out food particles from the surgical site.
Contact our office immediately if you experience excessive bleeding or drainage from the surgical site, unusual redness or pain, or a temperature higher than 101 degrees. You can reach us through our online contact form or by calling your nearest Legacy Oral Surgery location.
BLEEDING
A nominal amount of bleeding from the surgical site is to be expected over the first 24 hours. If you experience more bleeding than normal, bite down on a piece of gauze for 30 minutes to help a clot form. If this doesn’t stop the bleeding, contact our office.
NUMBNESS
We administer a local anesthetic for all procedures, even if you’ve chosen to have general anesthesia. The numbness will wear off eventually, usually between six and 12 hours after your surgery. While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite down on your tongue or cheek.
SWELLING
Swelling is common in the first few days following surgery. Place an ice pack on the swollen area — 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off — to minimize swelling.
PAIN
Pain management is crucial after your oral surgery. You should begin to take pain medication as directed — whether over-the-counter or prescribed — as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. If you wait until you develop significant pain, it will take longer for the pain reliever to work.
DIET
Depending on the type of oral surgery you’ve undergone, your diet may be affected. You may need to limit your diet to liquids and soft foods, and avoid chewing on the side of the incision. We will give you specific dietary restrictions prior to your surgery.
BRUSHING
Do not brush the surgical area or the teeth surrounding the area for 72 hours following surgery. After the first day, use a warm salt-water rinse (one teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water) every four hours and following meals to flush out food particles that may lodge in the operated area.
Contact our office immediately if you experience any excessive bleeding or drainage from the surgical site, observe unusual redness or pain, or start running a temperature higher than 101°.
