Post-Op Care
Once your surgery is complete, the most important part begins. How you take care of yourself in the hours and days that follow plays a significant role in how smoothly you heal. This page gives you a clear guide to what to do, what to expect, and when to reach out to us.
Schedule ConsultationThe First 24 Hours
The period right after surgery sets the tone for your entire recovery, so it’s worth taking it seriously.
You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home after any procedure involving sedation or general anesthesia. Please plan to have someone with you for the remainder of the day, ideally the first 24 hours, in case you need assistance or start to feel unwell. This isn’t just a precaution; it’s mandatory — sedation affects your coordination and judgment longer than it may feel like it does.
Plan to relax the remainder of that day. Keep your head elevated, even while resting, as this helps reduce swelling in the surgical area. Avoid bending over, lifting anything heavy, or any activity that raises your heart rate. The goal for the first 24 hours is simple: let your body begin to heal without interference.
Managing Swelling and Discomfort
Some swelling and soreness after oral surgery are normal. Swelling often peaks around the second day before gradually improving, so don’t be alarmed if things feel more pronounced on day two than they did right after the procedure.
To help keep swelling to a minimum, apply an ice pack to the outside of your face in 20-minute intervals — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off — for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that point, ice is less effective; switching to gentle warmth can help with residual soreness.
For discomfort, take any prescribed medication exactly as directed. If your surgeon has approved over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen as a supplement, use them as instructed. Do not exceed recommended dosages, and avoid aspirin, as it can increase bleeding.
Keeping Your Mouth Clean
Good oral hygiene after surgery supports healing and reduces the risk of complications, but it requires a gentler approach than your usual routine.
Brush your teeth carefully, avoiding the surgical site for the first few days. Rinse gently with warm saltwater or any prescribed rinse your surgeon recommended, starting the day after your procedure. Commercial mouthwashes, particularly those containing alcohol, should be avoided unless your surgeon has specifically cleared them. Avoid spitting forcefully or swishing vigorously, as this can disturb the healing tissue and, in cases involving extractions, dislodge the protective blood clot.
Activity and Diet
What you eat and how much you move in the days following surgery matter more than most patients expect.
Stick to soft foods for as long as your surgeon recommends. Good options include yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies (without a straw), soup that isn’t too hot, and soft-cooked grains. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy until the surgical area has had adequate time to close and stabilize. Staying well hydrated supports healing, but be sure to avoid straws entirely for the first several days — the suction created can cause complications, particularly following extractions.
Return to physical activity gradually. Most patients can resume light, everyday movement within a few days, but strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and anything that significantly raises your heart rate should wait until your surgeon gives you approval.
What to Watch for During Recovery
Most recoveries proceed without issue, and your care team will prepare you for what’s normal before you leave our office. That said, it’s important to know which symptoms warrant a call to us.
Reach out promptly if you experience any of the following:
- Bleeding that doesn’t slow with gentle, sustained pressure after 20 to 30 minutes
- Swelling that is worsening significantly after the third day rather than improving
- A fever above 101°F, which may indicate the beginning of an infection
- Pus or an unusual discharge at the surgical site
- Severe discomfort that isn’t responding to your prescribed medication
- Numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation that weren’t present immediately after surgery
If something feels wrong, don’t wait to see if it resolves. Reaching out early almost always leads to a simpler, faster solution than waiting.
Your Follow-Up Appointment
Follow-up visits are a scheduled part of your recovery, not just a formality. Your surgeon will check the surgical site and monitor your healing. If sutures were placed, some may dissolve on their own while others may need to be removed at this visit.
Come to your follow-up with any questions you’ve been keeping track of since surgery. This is your dedicated time with your care team, and we want to make the most of it for you.
Common Questions About Post-Op Care
It depends on the type of procedure. Many patients feel well enough to return to light activity within two to three days. More involved surgeries, such as corrective jaw surgery or full arch implant placement, involve a longer, more graduated recovery. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeline at your consultation and revisit it at your follow-up based on how your healing is progressing.
Yes. Swelling typically peaks around 48 hours after the procedure before beginning to subside. Some residual puffiness can linger for a week or more, particularly after more extensive procedures. If swelling is worsening significantly after the third day rather than improving, that’s worth a call to our office.
Take your medication as prescribed and give the process a little time, especially in the first 48 to 72 hours. If your discomfort is not responding to the prescribed medication, getting noticeably worse after the initial days, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever or swelling, please contact our office. We’d rather hear from you and confirm everything is on track than have you try to manage something on your own.
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