Pre & Post-Operative Instructions

Post-Operative Instructions for Oral Surgery

At Tallahassee Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we want your recovery to be as comfortable and predictable as possible. Some bleeding, swelling, soreness, bruising, jaw stiffness, and other temporary changes are normal following oral surgery.

Following your post-operative instructions carefully can help protect the surgical site, reduce complications, and promote proper healing.

Immediately After Your Surgery

Protect the Surgical Site- A gauze pad will be placed over the surgical area. Keep the gauze in place for approximately 30 minutes, then remove and discard it.

Avoid touching the surgical area with your fingers or tongue. Do not rinse, spit, or vigorously swish on the day of surgery, as these actions can disturb the developing blood clot and cause bleeding.

Take Your Medication as Directed- Take your prescribed pain medication as instructed. If you have been advised to use ibuprofen, begin it as directed before the local anesthetic completely wears off.

If a narcotic pain medication has been prescribed, it may cause drowsiness and slow your reflexes. Do not drive, operate machinery, consume alcoholic beverages, or make important decisions while taking narcotic pain medication.

Rest & Limit Activity

Rest on the day of surgery and gradually return to normal activities as you feel comfortable. If activity causes throbbing or increased discomfort, your body may be telling you to slow down.

When getting up from a lying or seated position, move slowly. Dizziness can occur after surgery or anesthesia.

Use Ice- Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face in the area where surgery was performed. Place a cloth or towel between the ice pack and your skin.

Managing Bleeding- Some bleeding or oozing is normal following oral surgery.

A small amount of blood mixed with saliva may make your saliva appear slightly pink or blood-tinged. This is generally expected.

If bleeding continues:

1. Place fresh, moistened gauze directly over the surgical site.

2. Bite down firmly and continuously for approximately 30 minutes.

3. Remain upright and stay calm.

4. Avoid exercise or strenuous activity.

5. Do not spit, as spitting can increase or prolong bleeding.

If bleeding remains heavy or does not subside after following these instructions, contact our office for further instructions.

Swelling & Bruising

Swelling is a normal part of the body’s healing response.

Swelling may not become noticeable until the day after surgery and may reach its maximum around 2–3 days after surgery. Swelling should then gradually improve.

During the first 12–24 hours, Apply ice packs to the outside of the face for approximately 20 minutes at a time, followed by a 20-minute break.

After approximately 36 hours , If swelling or jaw stiffness continues, moist heat applied to the sides of the face may provide relief.

Bruising

Some patients may develop discoloration or bruising of the face following surgery. It may appear 2–3 days after surgery and can change from black or blue to green or yellow as it resolves.

This is generally a temporary part of the healing process.

Pain & Discomfort

Some discomfort is expected following oral surgery and can vary depending on the procedure and the individual patient.

Take medications exactly as prescribed or instructed by your surgical team.

If prescribed a narcotic pain medication, remember that it can cause drowsiness and impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Your discomfort should generally begin to improve as you recover. If your pain significantly increases after initially improving, contact our office.

Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea can occasionally occur following surgery or anesthesia.

If you become nauseated or vomit:

• Avoid taking anything by mouth for approximately one hour, including medication.

• Begin taking small sips of clear liquids.

• Sip slowly rather than drinking quickly.

• Once nausea improves, gradually resume soft foods and prescribed medications as instructed.

If nausea continues for more than several hours or you are unable to keep fluids down, contact our office.

Eating & Drinking

Stay Hydrated:
Adequate hydration is an important part of recovery. Drink fluids regularly throughout the day.

Water, Gatorade®, and other appropriate fluids may be used to maintain hydration.

Dehydration can contribute to headaches, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue.

Your First Few Days, begin with liquids and cool, soft foods as instructed following your procedure.

Good options may include:

• Yogurt

• Applesauce

• Pudding

• Jell-O

• Protein shakes

• Ensure®

• Boost®

• SlimFast®

• Ice cream

• Smooth foods

• Room-temperature soups or broth

Avoid chewing directly over the surgical area.

As healing progresses, gradually advance your diet toward more normal foods as tolerated. Your nutritional intake is important for maintaining strength and supporting recovery.

Oral Hygiene

Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential to help reduce the risk of infection.

The Day of Surgery:

Do not rinse or spit.

You may gently brush your teeth the night of surgery, but avoid the surgical area. Allow toothpaste and saliva to gently fall from your mouth rather than forcefully spitting.

Beginning the Following Day:

Begin gentle warm salt-water rinses.

Mix approximately ½ teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Gently move the solution around your mouth without vigorous swishing.

Rinse several times throughout the day, particularly after eating.

Prescribed Medicated Rinse:

If prescribed, use your medicated oral rinse such as:

Peridex® • PerioGard® • Chlorhexidine

Use exactly as directed. Do not eat, drink, or rinse immediately after using your prescribed medicated rinse unless otherwise instructed.

Irrigation Syringe

For extraction sites, your surgical team may instruct you to use an irrigation syringe to gently remove food debris from the socket.

Follow the timing and technique provided by your surgical team. The office instructions specifically introduce syringe irrigation around day 3, as your diet begins advancing.

Numbness

Temporary numbness of the lip, chin, or tongue may occur following certain oral surgery procedures.

While the area is numb, use caution when eating or chewing because you may accidentally bite or injure yourself without realizing it.

If numbness persists or you have concerns about your sensation, contact our office for guidance.

Jaw Stiffness

Temporary difficulty opening your mouth, can occur after oral surgery.

A warm, moist compress applied to the affected area may help relax the muscles and improve comfort.

Sore Throat

A sore throat or discomfort when swallowing can occur following surgery. This is generally temporary and should improve as the surrounding tissues recover.

Sutures

Sutures are commonly placed to help control bleeding and support healing.

The sutures are dissolvable and will gradually loosen and fall out on their own. Depending on the type of suture used, this may occur within several days or take longer.

Dry Socket

A dry socket can occur when the blood clot in an extraction socket becomes prematurely dislodged.

Patients may experience a noticeable increase in pain, often occurring several days after an extraction.

If your surgical pain significantly increases after initially improving, contact our office. Dry socket can be treated, and our team can evaluate the surgical site and provide appropriate care.

Dry socket applies to tooth extraction sites and does not apply to implant placement or biopsy procedures.

Exercise & Physical Activity

Rest on the day of surgery. Beginning on the third day after surgery, gradually resume your normal activities as you feel comfortable.

Exercise can be more difficult when your food and fluid intake are temporarily reduced. If you become lightheaded, weak, or unusually fatigued, stop exercising and rest.

Signs of Infection

It is important to monitor your surgical site as you heal.

Contact our office if you experience:

• Increasing redness or noticeable heat around the surgical site

• Worsening or excessive swelling, particularly after day 5

• A fever greater than 101°F

• Pus or unusual drainage

• Significant or worsening pain

• Significant difficulty opening your mouth

Food trapped around an extraction site can cause irritation and contribute to poor healing or infection, which is why following the recommended oral hygiene and irrigation instructions is important.

When Should I Contact the Office?

Please contact our office if you have concerns about your recovery, particularly if you experience:

Persistent or excessive bleeding
Severe or increasing pain
Worsening swelling after the expected healing period
Fever
Increasing redness or heat
Persistent foul taste or odor
Pus or unusual drainage
Significant difficulty opening your mouth
Difficulty swallowing or breathing

If you experience difficulty breathing or another medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention.

Follow-Up Care

Most oral surgery procedures do not require a routine follow-up appointment unless your doctor determines that one is necessary. However, if you experience any concerns, discomfort, or unexpected issues during your recovery, please give us a call. Our team is here to help and assist you.

Patients who have undergone dental implant-related bone grafting may need a follow-up appointment approximately 4–6 months after surgery to evaluate healing and discuss future implant placement when appropriate.