Post-Operative Instructions

Sedation

A responsible adult should carefully attend to patients who have undergone sedation for at least eight hours following surgery. Patients that receive sedation are not permitted to drive for 24 hours after surgery. After having sedation, it is normal for your throat to be sore for a few days after surgery.

Bleeding

Bleeding is expected following surgery. Slight bleeding or redness in the saliva is not uncommon for up to 24 hours after surgery. Bleeding may be controlled by placing a gauze pad over the area and biting firmly for one hour. Repeat as needed. If bleeding persists, bite on a moistened, squeeze-dried tea bag for one hour and repeat as necessary. The tea bag’s tannic acid helps form a clot by contracting bleeding vessels. To minimize further bleeding, sit upright, avoid exercise, and do not become overly exerted. Surgical Sites can take up to 2 months to fully close.

• DO NOT smoke/vape for 3 days after surgery. Puffing on cigarettes/vapes tends to dislodge the blood clot and prolongs bleeding. Nicotine also directly delays healing.
• NO SPITTING, RINSING OR SUCKING on a straw for 3 days following surgery. This tends to dislodge the blood clot and prolong bleeding.

Diet

Avoid hot beverages/foods on the day of surgery which can unintentionally burn your mouth while it is still numb. Cool or warm, soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, ice cream, protein shakes (no straw) scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, or warm soups are ideal on the day of surgery and during the first few post-operative days. Over the next several days, you may gradually progress to more solid food at your own pace.

Bone Grafting

If you had a bone grafting procedure, please avoid carbonated or acidic foods/beverages for two weeks after surgery to keep the stitches from dissolving too quickly. Avoid touching the surgical site with your tongue and avoid chewing on the graft site for one month after surgery.

Dental Implant(s)

If you had dental implants placed, please remain on a soft diet for two weeks. Avoid touching the surgical site with your tongue and avoid chewing directly on the implant site until the implant site has been restored by your dentist (approximately 4 months).

Swelling

Swelling and bruising are not uncommon after oral surgery. Ice is most helpful during the first 72 hours. Swelling or jaw stiffness may persist for several days after surgery and usually reaches its peak approximately 72 hours after surgery, which will begin to improve slowly. You may use ice on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes for the first 12-24 hours after surgery.

Hygiene

The surgical area should always be kept clean. You may brush your teeth the day after surgery but be gentle around the surgical site. Two days after your surgery, use the prescribed mouth rinse after every meal for ten days. For wisdom teeth extractions: please see the separate irrigation sheet provided for guided instructions on keeping the extraction sockets clean. Avoid using a waterpik for 7 days after surgery.

Stitches

At times, stitches are placed in the area to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. If you have stitches, they will dissolve on their own. If the stitches become dislodged, this is no cause for alarm; gently remove the stitch from your mouth and discard it. In rare instances, non-resorbable stitches may be utilized, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for removal. Do not touch the surgical site with your tongue.

Exercise

You should avoid strenuous activity for four days after surgery.

Retainer

If you wear a retainer, you should continue wearing it the night of your surgery, as usual.

Temporary Appliance

Please ensure you’re routinely brushing your appliance and, if it’s removable, store it in its protective case every evening.

ESSIX: Do not eat while wearing your Essix retainer.

Flipper/Partial

You may wear your flipper immediately following surgery. You may eat soft foods only while wearing flipper and you should not use the flipper directly to chew any food. You must avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy foods while the flipper is in place. If you are wearing the flipper while eating food, you need to remove the flipper and clean it after meals and rinse with prescribed mouthwash to keep surgical site clean. If you decide to NOT wear the flipper/partial immediately after surgery, know that the tissue will swell and the flipper will not fit properly until the swelling subsides, so please do not force the flipper in place, allow the tissue swelling to decrease before wearing the appliance (which may take 1-2 weeks).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDICATIONS AFTER SURGERY

After you leave our office, please wait at least 2 hours before going to the pharmacy to get your medication(s). You may start your medications once you have eaten something. Please refer to the ‘Diet’ section for food suggestions.

• Antibiotics: take as directed on the prescription and finish.
• Peridex (Chlorohexidine):germicidal mouth rinse that reduces bacteria in the mouth. Mix ½ cap full of the rinse with ½ cap full of water, GENTLY rinse for 30 seconds, and spit. Start this rinse two days after surgery.
• Zofran (Ondansetron): common anti-nausea medication prescribed as needed and typically after you have had sedation.
• Pain Medication for Severe Pain: Take as directed- *For your safety, we strongly advise against driving while taking prescription pain medication. These medications can impair your coordination, judgment, and reaction time

OPIOID PAIN MEDICATION – IMPORTANT

Use ONLY if pain is not controlled with ibuprofen + acetaminophen

Take exactly as prescribed — do NOT increase your dose
Do NOT mix with alcohol, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety medications

DONOT drive while taking this medication

Risk of nausea, constipation, and drowsiness is common

There is a risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose

Store medication in a safe, secure place

Dispose of unused medication at a pharmacy or drug take-back location

Preferred Over The Counter Pain Management Regimen Post Surgery for anyone 13 and older

Patients that are 12 and younger should follow their over-the-counter dose for Motrin and Tylenol.

Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) 600mg & Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg

Take acetaminophen 500mg along with 600mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the first 48-72 hours after surgery.

(Maximum Daily Dose Acetaminophen = 4000mg/24hrs Maximum Daily Dose Ibuprofen= 3200mg/24hrs.)