Proper care after oral surgery is essential for comfort, healing, and preventing complications. Follow these general guidelines after extractions, implants, periodontal procedures, or other surgical treatments. If your doctor gives you specific instructions, always follow those first.
Bite gently on the gauze provided for 30–45 minutes. Slight oozing is normal. Replace gauze as instructed if needed.
Apply an ice pack on the outside of the face in 15–20 minute intervals during the first day to help minimize swelling.
Keep activity light and rest with your head slightly elevated. Avoid heavy exercise or lifting for at least 24–48 hours.
Do not use straws, spit forcefully, or smoke. These actions can disturb the clot and delay healing.
Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Take medications exactly as prescribed or recommended. Staying ahead of pain during the first 24 hours usually makes recovery easier.
Choose soft, cool, or lukewarm foods for the first few days. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, spicy, or very hot until healing improves.
Yogurt, smoothies (no straw), mashed potatoes, soup (warm not hot), eggs, soft pasta, and applesauce.
Chips, nuts, seeds, spicy foods, hard bread, and very hot drinks that may irritate the surgical site.
Keeping your mouth clean helps healing and reduces infection risk, but cleaning must be gentle around the surgical area.
Mild swelling, slight bleeding, jaw stiffness, and tenderness are common during the first few days.
Most patients feel noticeably better after 2–3 days, with gradual improvement over the following week.
Call us if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow down, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever, increasing swelling after day 3, or any concerns about healing.
If you have questions about healing, medications, or discomfort after your procedure, our team is here to help guide you through recovery.
