Post Oral Surgery Care

Post Oral Surgery Care

Whether you’ve had a tooth extraction or implant placement, post-operative care is vital for minimizing unnecessary pain, swelling, and the complications associated with infections.



Immediately after oral surgery, your dentistry will instruct you on how to take care of your mouth for optimal recovery. Here are some typical guidelines:

  • You will be required to keep the gauze over the surgical spot for at least one hour. If bleeding doesn’t stop, replace the gauze hourly. Otherwise discard it.
  • Avoid touching the wound area or rinsing your mouth vigorously after the surgery. Such action may dislodge the blood clot that had already formed, causing the wound to start bleeding again.
  • Take your pain prescription immediately you start experiencing some discomfort. This will be around the time the effect of the local anesthetic begins to diminish. Take your medication with food to reduce nausea
  • Take the rest of the day off and rest as much as possible, keeping your activities to a minimum.
  • Maintain a diet of only soft foods and liquids for several days, and especially during the first 24 hours. Stay hydrated.
  • Some swelling may be expected. This can be managed by elevating your head and placing an ice pack on the side of the face where the surgical wound is located.
  • Avoid smoking for at least one week after the procedure as it may drastically increase the pain and discomfort
  • Maintain proper oral hygiene. On the same day of the surgery, you should start rinsing your mouth with warm salt water. Use only gentle swishes. Get a new soft toothbrush

Keep in Touch with Your Dentist in Woodland Hills

Please keep your medical team at Mint Dental Group informed of any changes in the condition of the surgical wound, especially if the pain, bleeding, or drainage persists. Also keep all your future appointments for close monitoring to ensure that any complications are quickly resolved.