Swelling, Bruising, & Discomfort
After oral surgery it is not unusual to experience some swelling of the associated facial structures. The swelling may increase for up to 72 hours, and then gradually subside within approximately one week.
You may also experience bruising of the neck and chest. Ice packs should be used to reduce swelling at intervals of 15 minutes for the first 24 hours. Do not apply any heat to the face.
If symptoms have not improved by the fifth day please contact our office.
This usually occurs following oral and maxillofacial surgery and can last between seven to ten days. Your jaw muscles may have become stiff and sore from holding your mouth open during surgery.
If your jaw muscles are not too sore, massage them gently with a warm, moist facecloth. Try to eat foods that are easy to chew such as eggs, pasta and bananas. Have drinks like milk shakes, milk and juices.
If the problem persists, please call our office to schedule a follow up appointment.
After oral surgery it is normal to see an increase in temperature up to 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius for 1 to 2 days after surgery.
If your temperature goes higher than this or lasts beyond the first 2 days, please call our office.
Stitches may be placed in the area of surgery to minimize post-operative bleeding and to help healing. Sometimes they become dislodged; this is no cause for alarm, simply remove the suture from your mouth and discard it.
Most stitches will dissolve within 4 to 5 days but if the removal of sutures is required no anesthesia or needles are needed. It takes only a minute or so, and there is no discomfort associated with this procedure.
If you have any concerns, please call our office.
A small amount of red coloured fluid mixed with saliva is normal after surgery. If you have a flow of blood or if bleeding persists, look in the mirror to determine the source of the bleeding, and then place a gauze pad or a fresh moist tea bag wrapped in gauze over the bleeding spot. Bite on this, or apply pressure onto this with your finger. Repeat if necessary.
Eat soft substances like Jell-O, mashed potatoes, ice cream, and bananas. Please avoid smoking.
If there is still a flow of blood, please notify our office.
Avoid sucking (e. g. through straws or on a cigarette), spitting, blowing your nose and sneezing. Positive or negative pressure could dislodge the blood clot that forms after surgery. If you have a cold or allergies or anything that will require that you blow your nose or sneeze, take appropriate medications to treat these.
Try not to smoke for as long as possible afterwards, but at the very least for the rest of the day. Smoking can interfere with the healing process, and also the sucking motion could dislodge the blood clot. Patients who smoke have more complications with healing than patients who do not smoke.
Gentle rinsing of the mouth can be started on the day after surgery. Rinsing if necessary can become more vigorous as healing progresses.
Rinse either with 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one 1/2 glass of water, or the prescribed rinse for one week. Begin brushing your teeth when comfortable enough to do so.
If you notice dry or chapped lips, lubricate your lips with Vaseline or any bland ointment.
Refrain from eating, drinking or rinsing for 3 hours after surgery. Your jaw may be stiff, or your throat sore, so it may be difficult to eat following oral surgery.
You will be able to drink and may be able to eat soft foods. Drinking should begin on the same day as your surgery. Drink soups such as chicken or beef broths, water, fruit and vegetable juices, and powdered food supplements. Drink as much as you are able to in order to prevent dehydration but please refrain from using a straw.
Avoid hot liquids on the first day. Small amounts of liquid should be taken frequently. A regular diet can be resumed as soon as it can be comfortably managed. Do not use a straw to drink, as the sucking action may dislodge a clot and start the bleeding again.
Take the medication prescribed as directed. Your pain medicine should keep you reasonably comfortable and is best taken with fluid or food in your stomach.
For mild pain, Aspirin, Advil, Tylenol or 222’s may be used. Pain medicine may cause some dizziness; do not drive. Antibiotics should be taken until the full prescription is finished.
For nausea or stomach upset Gravol can be taken with your medication. If a rash, severe stomach cramps, or diarrhea occur, stop taking your medicine and call our office.
Females who are taking birth control pills and antibiotics at the same time should know that the combination of these two drugs may cause birth control pills to become ineffective as a contraceptive method. Pregnancy may occur if alternative methods of birth control are not used.
The Codeine in pain medicine can be constipating. If this occurs,
a mild laxative such as Milk of Magnesia may be taken.