POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING ORAL SURGERY
Please read these instructions carefully to help ensure proper healing after your procedure.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER SURGERY
- Keep gauze over the surgical area with biting pressure for 20–30 minutes, making sure you are swallowing your saliva. Then remove and replace if needed.
- Do not keep repeatedly replacing gauze, as this can stimulate additional bleeding and delay the healing process.
- Do not spit, rinse vigorously, or drink through a straw for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
- If you were sedated for your procedure, you cannot drive for 24 hours.
- Begin your pain medication immediately after the procedure while you are still numb.
BLEEDING
- Some bleeding or slight oozing is normal and expected for the first 48–72 hours after surgery.
- Slight oozing is normal and often best left alone.
- If bleeding appears excessive:
- Place gauze or a moistened black tea bag over the surgical site.
- Bite firmly for 30 minutes with your head elevated.
- If needed, change gauze every 20–30 minutes.
- If you experience significant bleeding (a mouthful of blood within a few minutes):
- Bite hard on a wet black tea bag for 30 minutes.
- If heavy bleeding continues:
- Contact our office immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Do not eat or sleep with gauze in your mouth.
SWELLING, BRUISING & JAW STIFFNESS
- Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and/or neck is normal.
- Swelling typically increases for up to 72 hours after surgery and subsides after 4–5 days.
- To reduce swelling:
- Apply cold compresses/ice packs to the face in 20–30 minute intervals (20–30 minutes on, 20–30 minutes off) during the first 24 hours.
- Swelling may be accompanied by:
- Bruising
- Limited jaw opening
These are normal and not a cause for concern.
PAIN / DISCOMFORT
- Some discomfort is normal after any oral surgery procedure.
- Take pain medication as directed.
- If prescription pain medication was not provided, you may take over the counter pain relief medications, as in Extra Strength Tylenol, as directed.
- Please refer to the Medication Instructions section for additional details.
DIET
For the first 24 hours:
- Eat soft foods at room temperature or colder such as:
- Jell-O
- Pudding
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Eggs
- Pasta
- Drink only from a cup — no straws.
- Avoid:
- Hot foods
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods
- Foods containing small seeds (Strawberries, Blackberries, Sesame or Poppy Seeds)
After the first 24 hours:
- Gradually increase your diet to more solid foods as tolerated.
- Try to resume a normal diet as soon as possible while avoiding irritation to the surgical area.
ORAL HYGIENE
- Begin gently brushing and rinsing 24 hours after surgery.
- You may use a soft toothbrush to clean the surgical area.
- Avoid electric toothbrushes and Waterpik devices near the surgical site for at least 5 days.
- Starting the day after surgery, rinse with warm salt water:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 6 oz of warm water
- Rinse after each meal or more often if possible.
ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 72 hours after surgery.
- Physical exertion can increase pain, swelling, and bleeding.
- Keep your head elevated above heart level while resting or sleeping for the first few nights.
- Use extra pillows to help reduce swelling.
SMOKING & ALCOHOL
- Do not smoke after surgery, especially for the first 3–5 days.
- Nicotine decreases oxygen to the tissues and significantly delays healing.
- Smoking also increases the risk of complications.
- Avoid alcohol and alcohol-containing mouthwashes because:
- They can irritate the tissues
- Delay healing
- Decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics
- Increase gastrointestinal side effects with pain medications
STITCHES (SUTURES)
- If sutures were placed, they are typically dissolvable.
- They usually dissolve and fall out within 3–10 days.
- Any remaining sutures will be removed at your follow-up visit if necessary.
SINUS PRECAUTIONS (ONLY IF SINUS WAS INVOLVED)
If your sinus was involved during the procedure, follow these precautions for two weeks:
- Do not blow your nose
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing
- Avoid upside-down exercises
- Avoid flying without approval from your surgeon
Additional medications may be recommended:
- Flonase nasal spray:
- 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily for 3 days
- Claritin:
- Take once to twice daily for 1-2 weeks as prescribed
These help reduce congestion and swelling and promote healing.
FEVER OR MEDICATION REACTIONS
- A slight temperature elevation after surgery can be normal.
- If your fever is 102°F or higher, please contact our office.
- Stop taking your medication and contact us if you develop:
- Stomach cramping
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips
- Any signs of an allergic reaction
MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Not all medications listed below are prescribed to every patient. Please follow only the instructions for the medications prescribed specifically for you.
Naproxen (Anti-Inflammatory)
- Begin the day of surgery
- Take twice daily for a minimum of 5 days
- Best taken every 12 hours (morning and night)
- WITH THIS MEDICATION, DO NOT TAKE:
- Ibuprofen
- Advil
- Aleve
Antibiotics
- Begin the day of surgery.
- Take exactly as directed on the prescription bottle
- If you started antibiotics before surgery, continue as directed.
- Finish the entire prescription.
Peridex / Chlorhexidine (Mouth Rinse)
- Begin 24 hours after surgery
- Saturate gauze with the rinse
- Place over surgical site and bite for 60 seconds
- Use three times daily for two weeks
Pain Medication
- Begin the day of surgery
- Take as directed on the prescription bottle as needed
Medrol Dosepak (Steroid)
Begin the day of surgery. Follow the instructions inside the package:
- Day 1: take 6
- Day 2: take 5
- Day 3: take 4
- Day 4: take 3
- Day 5: take 2
- Day 6: take 1
POST-OPERATIVE APPOINTMENTS
- If a post-operative appointment has been scheduled, please return to the office as instructed.
QUESTIONS OR EMERGENCIES
If you experience any problems, questions, or concerns after leaving the office, please contact us. Dr. Kur and Dr. Abend are on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Phone: (914) 592-0440.
