Brighton Oral Surgeon
post operative instructions following minor oral surgery procedures
Please read these instructions completely and carefully
Sometimes the after-effects of oral surgery are quite minimal, so not all of these instructions may apply. Common sense will often dictate what you should do. However, when in doubt, follow these guidelines or call our office (718) 366-0070 any time for clarification.
Day of Surgery
📌First Hour: Bite down gently but firmly on the gauze packs that have been placed over the surgical
areas, making sure they remain in place. Do not change them for the first hour unless the bleeding is not being controlled.
If active bleeding persists after one hour, place enough new gauze to obtain pressure over the surgical site for another 30-60 minutes. The gauze may be changed as necessary and may be dampened and/or folded for more comfortable positioning.
📌Exercise Care: Do not disturb the surgical area today. Do NOT rinse vigorously or probe the area with
any objects or your fingers. You may brush your teeth gently.
📌Do Not Smoke: For at least 48 hours, since it is very detrimental to healing.
📌Oozing: Intermittent bleeding or oozing is normal. It may be controlled by placing fresh gauze over the surgical areas and biting down firmly for 30-60 minutes.
steady bleeding:
Bleeding should never be excessive. If it is, it often means that the gauze is being held between the teeth rather than applying firm pressure to the surgical area. Reposition fresh gauze directly over the site. If bleeding continues, you may try using a tea bag (soaked in hot water, squeezed damp-dry, and wrapped in moist gauze) with firm pressure for 20 to 30 minutes. If bleeding remains uncontrolled or becomes severe, please call our office at (718) 366-0070 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
📌Swelling: Often there is some swelling associated with oral surgery. You can minimize this by using a
cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a towel and applied firmly to face or cheek adjacent to the surgical area. This should be applied twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off during the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. If you have been prescribed medicine for the control of swelling, be sure to take it as directed.
After 24 hours, it is usually best to switch from ice to moist heat to the same areas.
📌Pain: Unfortunately most oral surgery is accompanied by some degree of discomfort. You may have a prescription for pain medication, and ifyou take the first pill before the anesthetic has worn off, you will be able to manage any discomfort better. Effects of pain medicines vary widely among individuals. Remember that the most severe discomfort is usually within the first six hours after the anesthetic wears off; after that your need for medicine should lessen.
