After Surgery
Post-Operative Instructions
General home-care guidance to support healing, reduce complications, and help you know when to call after oral surgery.
After Surgery
Post-Operative Home Care
Our goal is for your healing process after surgery to be as comfortable as possible. The removal of teeth and other oral surgery procedures require careful post-operative care.
- Follow all instructions carefully
- Good home care helps reduce unnecessary pain, bleeding, delayed healing, and possible infection
- Call our Waterloo office if you have difficulties or concerns after surgery
- If sedation or anesthetic was used, do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours
After Surgery
Immediately Following Surgery
The first few hours after surgery are important for bleeding control, comfort, and protecting the surgical site.
- Keep the gauze pad placed on the surgical area and apply pressure by biting on the gauze until bleeding stops
- Once home, begin with clear fluids and then progress slowly to soft foods
- Maintain adequate fluid intake, at least eight 8 oz glasses per day unless you were told otherwise
- Take all medications as directed
- Have something in your stomach before taking pain medication to reduce nausea
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity
After Surgery
No Driving After Sedation Or Anesthetic
You must not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following sedation or anesthetic.
- You will need a driver to take you home
- A responsible adult should remain with you for the remainder of the day when advised
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after sedation or while taking pain medication
- Do not make important decisions while recovering from sedation
After Surgery
First 24 Hours: Protect The Blood Clot
The blood clot at the surgical site is important for healing. Avoid actions that may dislodge the clot and restart bleeding.
- Do not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours
- Do not spit for the first 24 hours
- Do not brush directly over the surgical site for the first 24 hours
- Do not suck through a straw
- Do not smoke
- Avoid touching the affected area with fingers or your tongue
After Surgery
Bleeding
A certain amount of bleeding, oozing, or redness in the saliva is expected after surgery. Bleeding is best controlled with steady pressure.
- Place a folded gauze pad directly over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes
- Repeat with clean gauze until bleeding slows or stops
- If bleeding has not decreased in 3 to 4 hours, dampen a tea bag and place it over the extraction site
- Avoid hot liquids, exercise, spitting, and disturbing the area while bleeding is active
- Call the office if bleeding remains heavy or does not improve
After Surgery
Swelling
Swelling around the mouth, cheek, eyes, and side of the face is common. It may not appear immediately and can increase for 2 to 3 days after surgery.
- Apply ice packs to the affected area if directed
- During the first several hours, alternate 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off
- Do not apply ice continuously
- Applying ice after 24 hours may provide little benefit unless instructed
- Keep your head elevated while resting
- Call if swelling suddenly worsens, feels hot, or is associated with fever or increasing pain
After Surgery
Pain And Medication
Some discomfort is normal after surgery. Take prescribed medication as directed and follow the pain management instructions provided by the surgical team.
- It may help to take pain medication before the numbness wears off, unless instructed otherwise
- Have food in your stomach before taking pain medication to reduce nausea
- Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medication
- Pain medication may cause constipation; ask your family doctor or pharmacist before using a laxative
- If pain becomes severe or worsens after initial improvement, call the office
After Surgery
Nausea, Antibiotics, And Reactions
Nausea can occur after surgery and is often related to anesthetic or pain medication. Antibiotics may be prescribed to help prevent infection in selected cases.
- If nausea occurs, Gravol may be taken if appropriate for you
- Contact the office if nausea is persistent or vomiting occurs
- If antibiotics were prescribed, take them exactly as directed
- Discontinue antibiotic use and contact the office if you develop a rash or other reaction
- Tell us about any medication concerns after surgery
After Surgery
Cleaning And Rinsing
Do not rinse or spit for the first 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, gentle cleaning helps remove food particles and supports healing.
- After 24 hours, begin gentle warm saltwater rinses if instructed
- Rinse gently every 4 hours and after meals
- Mix one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water
- Brush the rest of your mouth carefully
- Avoid aggressive rinsing, spitting, or water flossing near the surgical site until cleared
After Surgery
Diet And Fluids
A soft diet is best for the first few days after surgery. Start with clear fluids on the day of surgery and progress slowly as chewing becomes comfortable.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid hot food or hot liquids that may irritate the area
- Avoid straws
- Avoid spicy foods
- Avoid very small foods that may lodge in the area, such as rice or seeds
- Maintain nutrition to support healing
After Surgery
Recommended Soft Foods
Patients who prepare soft foods before surgery often have a smoother recovery.
- Hearty soups such as cream soups, lentil soup, or split pea soup
- Non-citrus juices such as cranberry, apple, or grape juice
- Herbal tea
- Jell-O
- Yogurt or frozen yogurt
- Pudding or custard
- Soft fruits such as banana, papaya, berries, canned peaches, or pears
- Applesauce
- Popsicles
- Ice cream or milkshakes eaten without a straw
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Tofu
- Soft white fish
After Surgery
Foods And Drinks To Avoid
Avoid foods and drinks that can irritate the surgical site, require heavy chewing, or become lodged in the healing area.
- Spicy foods
- Foods that are difficult to chew, including steak, poultry, and deli meats
- Popcorn, pretzels, and chips
- Crusty bread, bagels, and cookies
- Alcoholic beverages
- Very hot foods or liquids
- Foods with small particles that can lodge in the surgical site
After Surgery
Activity
Rest and minimal activity can help reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding. Normal activity may be resumed gradually as tolerated.
- Avoid excessive work or play immediately after surgery
- Avoid strenuous exercise early in recovery
- Rest with your head elevated
- Follow procedure-specific activity limits from the surgical team
After Surgery
Sutures
Your procedure may involve dissolving or non-dissolving sutures.
- If non-dissolving sutures were placed, keep the appointment made for removal
- Non-dissolving sutures are commonly removed 7 to 10 days after surgery
- Dissolving sutures may loosen or dissolve within several days
- Call if a suture concern is associated with increasing pain, swelling, or bleeding
After Surgery
Dry Socket
A dry socket is the loss of the blood clot in the socket. It can delay healing and may cause pain in the ear, chin, adjacent teeth, or jaw.
- Dry socket discomfort often begins around the third or fourth day after surgery
- The discomfort may last for many days if untreated
- Avoid smoking, straws, spitting, and disturbing the clot to reduce risk
- Call the office if pain worsens after initial improvement
After Surgery
When To Call Our Waterloo Office
Please call our Waterloo office if you have any difficulties or concerns following your surgical procedure.
- Heavy bleeding that does not improve with pressure
- Bleeding that has not decreased after 3 to 4 hours
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Increasing pain not controlled by your medication plan
- A rash or other medication reaction
- Fever or feeling increasingly unwell
- Swelling that suddenly worsens after several days
- Questions about diet, cleaning, medication, sutures, or dry socket
Recovery Videos
Watch Postoperative Care Instructions.
Oral Surgery - Postoperative care instructions for basic surgery
A practical walkthrough of basic postoperative care after oral surgery.
Watch On YouTube
Oral Surgery - Common Post-Surgical Questions Answered (FAQ)
Answers to common questions about recovery, bleeding, activity, stitches, and healing.
Watch On YouTube
Oral Surgery - Postoperative Pain Management
Guidance on managing discomfort safely after oral surgery.
Watch On YouTube
Oral Surgery - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). What can I expect - pain, nausea, medication?
Additional answers about pain, nausea, medication, and what to expect during recovery.
Watch On YouTubeNeed Help?
Questions About This Form?
Call our Waterloo office if you are unsure which form applies or how to prepare before your appointment.
Forms FAQ
Questions About Post-Operative Instructions
What should I focus on after oral surgery?
Focus on rest, bleeding control, hydration, soft foods, medication instructions, oral hygiene guidance, and knowing when to call the office.
When should I call the Waterloo office after surgery?
Call if bleeding is heavy, pain is not controlled, swelling suddenly worsens, fever develops, medication side effects occur, or recovery instructions are unclear.
Are post-operative instructions the same for every procedure?
No. General recovery principles are similar, but implant surgery, extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and other procedures may have specific instructions.
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