Surgical Instructions > Home Care after Oral Surgery

DIET: Begin with clear liquids and advance to soft diet during the first 24 hours (soups, eggs, pastas, etc.).  Do not drink through a straw for 5-7 days.  Avoid milk products until you are taking clear liquids without difficulty.  Avoid crunchy foods (peanuts, popcorn, chips) for 2 weeks.  Cold foods can help reduce swelling.

ACTIVITY: Relax and take it easy for the first couple of days.  Avoid lifting, bending or stooping.  Elevate your head above heart level-this will help to promote drainage and reduce swelling.

BLEEDING: A certain amount of bleeding is expected following surgery.  Leave gauze in your mouth for 30-60 minutes following surgery.  If you have continued bleeding, place 2 folded gauze squares over the socket and bite with moderate pressure for 60 minutes.  Blood tinged saliva is expected for 36 hours.  A moist tea bag may be placed over the area and gentle pressure applied.  If an excessive amount of bright red bleeding occurs despite the above directions, notify the office or our answering service.

SWELLING: It will reach its peak in 2-3 days and decrease over time.  To minimize this; apply ice packs for the first 24 hours only, 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off.  Alternate sides if indicated.

THINGS THAT MAY OCCUR: Sore teeth, earache and/or sore throat, bruising to outside of face, tightness of jaw muscles and dry/cracked lips.  There will be an opening where the tooth was removed.  This will fill in with new tissue.  Do not disturb the blood clot; it’s grayish or yellow appearance and slight odor do not indicate an infection.  Keep your tongue away from the surgical area.

NUMBNESS: Due to local anesthetic, you can expect the lower jaw (lip, teeth, gums, chin) to be numb for up to 6-12 hours and the upper jaw to be numb for up to 1-4 hours, following surgery.

MOUTH RINSING: No rinsing or brushing around the surgical site for the first 24 hours.

STITCHES: They will fall out on their own in 5-10 days, unless your doctor re-appoints you to have them removed.

FEVER: Elevated temperature for 24-48 hours is normal.  Notify our office or answering service if you temperature is over 101 F for 2 days in a row.

ANTIBIOTICS: If you are given antibiotics, take them until the prescription is finished.

SMOKING: Avoid completely.

DENTURES: Keep dentures in for the first day and night.  Expect some bleeding around the denture to occur.

FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY, DO NOT sign any legal documents, drive, or operate machinery for 24 hours following general anesthesia.  DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages.

Please contact the office you were seen at if you have any questions or concerns.