Postoperative Instructions – Asheville, NC
Tips for a Speedy & Comfortable Recovery
Dr. John White wants to ensure that all of his patients have a smooth and successful recovery after oral surgery, which is why he’s put together an easy yet helpful list of some postoperative instructions:
On the Day of Oral Surgery
- Bleeding: If bleeding occurs after surgery, place a piece of gauze on the affected area and apply pressure for about 45 minutes. It’s important to change out your gauze before it becomes soaked in blood. However, you shouldn’t panic if you notice blood mixed in with your saliva as this is incredibly common.
- Medication: You’ll be given prescription medication, which can be taken at first with water or clear liquid. But any doses after that shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach. Instead, try taking your medication after eating something to ease discomfort.
- Ice pack: Use an ice pack or a cold compress to reduce swelling during the first 48 hours of your recovery.
- Rinsing: Don’t rinse your mouth for 6 hours after your surgery.
- Diet: Maintain a liquid diet on the day of and the day after your surgery. Milkshakes, soups, juices, and other blended items are great foods to eat. After 2 days, you can begin to work soft foods into your diet, but you should still avoid chewing with the affected area.
- Smoking: Avoid smoking for at least 2 days after your surgery.
The Day After Oral Surgery
- Medication: Continue to take your medication as prescribed by your dentist in Asheville.
- Ice pack: It’s completely normal for swelling to continue the day after surgery. This can be managed by applying a cold compress to the affected area.
- Diet: Continue your liquid diet to promote healing.
- Brushing: You can start brushing your teeth but be careful to avoid any of your surgery sites.
The 2nd Day After Oral Surgery
- Medication: Continue to take your antibiotics, but only take your pain medication if needed.
- Ice pack: You shouldn’t need an ice pack any longer.
- Diet: Now you can start working softer foods into your diet, like eggs, yogurt, or mashed potatoes.
The 3rd Day After Surgery
- Medication: Continue to take your antibiotics until they run out, but you shouldn’t have to take your pain medication anymore.
- Heat: If you’re still experiencing swelling or bruising, you can use a heating pad to reduce your symptoms. You can repeat this for 3 to 4 times a day until you no longer feel discomfort.
- Diet: You can now resume your regular diet, but you should still watch out for foods that are tough to eat and you should avoid chewing with the affected area.
Emergency Dental Care
As each day passes, you’ll feel less swelling, tenderness, and other uncomfortable symptoms. If your pain lingers longer than 3 or 4 days, contact our office immediately! Dr. White, your expert oral surgeon in Asheville, may need to provide emergency assistance to get you out of pain. However, you will always come in for a follow up appointment 5 to 10 days after surgery to ensure that everything is healing properly.