Care instructions after oral surgery. After surgery, gently does it.

Before anesthesia

If you are having IV sedation, these steps keep you safe on surgery day.

Food and drink

• Do not eat or drink anything for the period the office gives you before your appointment.
• Take your regular medications only as the office instructs, with a small sip of water.

On the day

• An adult must drive you home and should stay with you for the rest of the day.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily.
• Remove contact lenses, jewelry and dark nail polish before you arrive.
• Tell the office if you have a cold, fever or other illness, since your surgery may need to move.

Afterward

• Do not drive, use machinery or sign important documents for 24 hours after sedation.

After wisdom teeth removal

Most of the soreness sits in the first few days.

Bleeding

• Bite gently but firmly on the gauze for 30 to 45 minutes, then replace it if oozing continues.
• Do not spit, rinse hard or drink through a straw for the first few days, so the clot can stay in place.

Swelling and pain

• Use cold packs on your cheeks, on and off, during the first 24 hours.
• Take pain medication as prescribed, starting before the numbness wears off.
• Swelling often peaks on day two or three, then fades.

Eating and cleaning

• Start with cool liquids and soft foods, then add more as you feel ready.
• From the day after surgery, rinse gently with warm salt water after meals.
• Brush your other teeth normally, taking care near the sites.

After a tooth extraction

Healing after a single extraction is usually faster than after wisdom teeth.

First day

• Keep gauze in place with gentle pressure until the bleeding slows.
• Rest with your head raised, and avoid hot drinks while you are numb.

Next few days

• Avoid smoking, straws and hard spitting, all of which can dislodge the clot.
• Eat soft foods and chew on the other side.
• If a bone graft was placed, small granules in your mouth can be normal, but do not poke at the site.

After implant surgery

The implant is healing into the bone, so protect it while that happens.

First week

• Expect mild swelling and soreness; cold packs and prescribed medication help.
• Do not chew on the implant site or press on any healing cap.
• Keep the area clean with the rinse or salt water you are given.

While it heals

• Wear any temporary tooth or appliance only as instructed.
• Avoid smoking, which slows healing around implants.
• Keep your follow-up appointments so healing can be checked before the crown.