Did you just have oral surgery? It is important to follow the guidelines below to reduce or avoid postoperative complications.
Pain
It is normal to feel discomfort following surgery. The degree of discomfort varies from patient to patient and even from surgery to surgery. To alleviate this you can take an analgesic such as Tylenol, Motrin or Advil. Avoid any medicine containing aspirin.
Bleeding
We placed sterile cotton pads before letting you go; you must apply medium pressure for 30 to 40 minutes. If after removing the pads you notice that the bleeding still seems heavy, you can replace the pads for another 30 to 40 minutes. During the first 24 hours, slight bleeding is normal. Your saliva can be tinged with blood but do not worry. Above all, do not rinse your mouth, do not spit and do not drink with a straw for the next 24 hours.
If you notice prolonged bleeding, replace the gauze pad by a wet tea bag and apply gentle pressure on the jaws for another 2 hours.
Swelling
It is normal for the surgery site(s) to show edema, this is your body warning you to pay attention. It is also a response that the body uses when healing. However, it is possible to limit the appearance of this edema by applying ice as soon as possible after surgery. You must then apply ice for 15 minutes every 2 hours for the first 24 hours. However, do not disturb your sleep as sleep is your best friend for fast healing. After 24 hours, you can apply hot pads for about 15 minutes every 2 hours, to speed up the healing process.
Medication
If we have prescribed antibiotics, you should take them up to the last pill to make sure that all infections can be avoided. This is important. For any other prescription, please follow the dosage instructions.
Food
- First day: lukewarm/cold liquid foods (avoid hot, spicy and acidic foods on the first day).
- Second day: lukewarm soft foods.
- Next few days: gradually more solid food.
Other
- Discoloration of the skin may occasionally occur and will go away in about a week. This phenomenon is not serious and no treatment is indicated.
- If the bleeding is completely stopped 24 hours after the surgery rinse your mouth with slightly salty water several times a day for the next 3 to 4 days.
- Do not smoke for 24 hours.
- Do not drink alcohol for a minimum of 24 hours or as recommended by your dentist.
- If you would like to do something but you think it might hurt, do not do it. The first days are delicate and it’s important to be careful.
- Regarding your stitches… The stitches will dissolve and fall on their own in the coming weeks.
- Do not spit, suck or drink with a straw.