Post-Op Care Instructions

After treatment, our focus turns toward helping you successfully recover. How you care for yourself during this time makes a big difference in how smoothly things go. These instructions are here to guide you through those first few days—so you can rest easy, heal well, and get back to feeling like yourself again.

At Precision Oral Surgery, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If something feels off or you have a question, just give us a call.

Immediate Post-Surgery Care

After your procedure, you’ll need a trusted adult to drive you back home. It’s also important to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours—just to help with medication, meals, or anything else that comes up.

Plan ahead to get some rest. Keep your head elevated and take it easy. Avoid any bending, lifting, or physical activity until we say it’s okay to return to normal. Your body needs time to heal.

Managing Discomfort and Pain

Some soreness or swelling is expected after oral surgery. We’ll give you detailed instructions based on your procedure, but in most cases:

• Take your prescribed or over-the-counter medications as directed
• Manage swelling by using an ice pack on the outside of your face—20 minutes on, 20 minutes off—for the first 24 to 48 hours

Staying ahead of the pain is better than waiting until it gets too intense. Stick to your medication schedule, even if you’re feeling okay early on.

Bleeding Control

It’s normal to have some bleeding right after surgery. We’ll place gauze over the surgical site and show you how to manage it at home.

Bite down gently on gauze for about 30 to 45 minutes, then replace it as needed. Try to refrain from talking too much during this time—it helps the area stay still and encourages healthy clotting.

To keep bleeding under control:

• Keep your head slightly elevated when resting
• Avoid spitting, using straws, or smoking for at least 72 hours

These simple steps help protect the healing blood clot and lower your risk of complications.

Eating and Drinking

Stick to soft, cool foods for the first few days—nothing too hot, spicy, or crunchy. Think yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or smoothies (but skip the straw).

Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine while you’re healing. If you’re not sure if something’s safe to eat, give us a call—we’re happy to help.

Oral Hygiene

Good hygiene helps healing. You can brush your teeth gently the night of your surgery, but avoid the surgical site. Starting the next day, rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day—especially after meals.

Skip commercial mouthwashes unless we’ve told you otherwise. And don’t use any rinse forcefully. Just let it gently roll around your mouth and then spit softly.

Activity Restrictions

It’s best to take a few days off from work, school, or sports—especially if your treatment involved sedation or multiple surgical sites. Avoid any heavy lifting, bending over, or strenuous exercise for at least a few days. As you start to feel better, you can slowly ease back into your normal routine.

Medications

If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or pain relievers, take them exactly as directed. Don’t skip doses and be sure to finish the full course of antibiotics—even if you feel better before it’s done.

Let us know if you have any unexpected side effects like nausea or a rash. We can help adjust your medication plan if needed.

Follow-Up Care

Depending on your procedure, we may schedule a follow-up to check your healing and answer any questions. Don’t wait until your next visit if something doesn’t feel right—please call us if you notice:

• Excessive bleeding or pain that doesn’t improve
• Swelling that gets worse after a few days
• Signs of infection, such as fever or inflammation

We’d much rather you call with a small concern than wait and worry. Your health is our priority, and we’re here to help you recover your smile with confidence.

REQUEST CONSULTATION