Taking proper care of your teeth and gums is always important. It’s even more vital to do so, however, after having underwent minor oral surgery.
This section is designed to offer helpful advice to help you deal with the various discomforts you may experience following surgery. Please note however, you should always follow the direction of your dentist or oral surgeon first and foremost.
If any of the following issues arise after oral surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately:
- Excessive bleeding that persists four hours or more following surgery
- Prolonged pain for a day or more following oral surgery.
- Increased swelling for two days or more following oral surgery
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Pain
A local anesthetic (“freezing”) will be administered to numb the area of your mouth that is to undergo surgery. Take care to avoid biting your lip, cheek or tongue while your mouth is frozen.
Numbness should wear off within a few hours following surgery, after which it’s normal to experience some pain. The amount of discomfort you experience will depend on the type of procedure you underwent and your body’s ability to recover.
You will likely experience the most pain over the course of the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery, and as such it’s best to rest during this time. Some soreness or discomfort may last for a few days following – this is normal.
What to do:
- Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon. He/she may prescribe medication to help with the pain and an antibiotic to stave off infection.
- Call your dentist or oral surgeon if the pain persists for a prolonged period of time, or worsens.
- Follow the advice of your dentist or oral surgeon, as well as your pharmacist when taking prescribed medication.
What not to do:
- Do not take more medicine than prescribed.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking medication.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery if you are on medication that could cause drowsiness or alter your awareness in any way.
Bleeding
Bleeding may persist for the first hour or two following surgery, after which the area may continue to “ooze” for up to twenty-four hours. Your dentist or oral surgeon will place a gauze pad over the operated area to encourage the blood to clot and reduce the amount of bleeding.
You may hold the gauze firmly in place by pressing down with your teeth, but refrain from chewing on it. The gauze should be left in place to for at least an hour following surgery. If you are unable to control the bleeding after four hours, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
What to do:
- Keep firm, constant pressure on the gauze pad covering the wound – this can be done by closing your teeth on the pad.
- Leave the pad in place for at least an hour following oral surgery.
- If bleeding persists past an hour, replace the used gauze pad with a fresh one and reaffirm pressure on the area for another hour.
- Rest while recovering and keep your head raised as it slows the circulation of blood to the area that is healing, allowing the blood to clot.
- Brush and floss teeth as usual, but be gentle and take care to avoid the site of the surgery so as not to aggravate it and possibly reignite bleeding. Also use a minimal amount of water.
- A full day following surgery, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. You dentist or oral surgeon may also suggest you add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water each time you rinse. Do this four to five times a day for three to four days. This helps keep the wounded area clean and free of infection.
- If bleeding persists beyond four hours, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
What not to do:
- Do not rinse your mouth within the first twenty-four hours following surgery.
- Do not chew on the gauze pad or suck on the wound.
- Avoid hot liquids such as coffee, tea or soup as they tend to increase blood circulation and could restart the bleeding.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least the first two weeks following surgery. They delay the healing process and leave you more susceptible to infection.
- Do not strain yourself for at least two full days following surgery.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery if you are on medication that could cause drowsiness or alter your awareness in any way.
Swelling
Swelling in the face the mouth over the first twenty-four hours following oral surgery is normal. In some cases, dependent on your body’s reaction to the procedure, swelling may last up to seven days. Bruising is also normal and can last up to ten days after your procedure.
What to do:
- Place a cold compress on the swollen area. Hold the compress in position for ten minutes then remove the compress for ten minutes. Repeat.
- Continue this process for the first twenty-four hours following surgery.
- No sooner than the second day, place a warm compress on the affected area to increase blood flow and help decrease swelling. Take care not to use anything hot enough to burn your skin.
- If the swelling worsens beyond forty-eight hours following surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon. Do the same if swelling does not subside after seven days.
What not to do:
- Do not apply heat to the affected area during the first twenty-four hours following surgery as this will worsen the swelling.
Sore Jaw
It may be difficult to open and close your jaw for anywhere up to ten days following your oral surgery. This is a normal reaction – refrain from forcing your jaw open or closed. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide advice on how to manage your sore jaw.
What to do:
- If the muscles of your jaw are not overly tender, massage them gently with a warm, moist facecloth.
- Eat foods that are easy to chew or consume such, such as shakes.
- If you have difficulty opening and closing your jaw, or the muscles of your jaw are still sore seven to ten days following surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.
What not to do:
- Do not force your mouth open.
- Avoid chewing gum and eating hard or chewy foods.
- Avoid hot liquids such as coffee, tea or soup.
