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What to do after oral surgery

Post-operative instructions
  • Avoid smoking for 1 week
  • The gauze pad placed over the surgical area should be kept in place for a half hour. After this time, the gauze pad should be removed and discarded. If you have more oozing, additional gauze pad can be placed at the surgical site.
  • Vigorous mouth rinsing or touching the wound area following surgery should be avoided. This may initiate bleeding by causing the blood clot that has formed to become dislodged. Do not forcefully spit.
  • Pain is expected after surgery once local anesthetics wear off. Take the prescribed pain medications around the clock for the first three days or as needed basis. We are an opioid/narcotic free practice. Tylenol and Ibuprofen should be taken every 6-8 hours or as directed. It is recommended to take ibuprofen around the clock for first three days, as this not only helps with pain relief but also swelling.
  • Restrict your activities the day of surgery and resume normal activity when you feel comfortable.
  • Place ice packs on the side of your face where surgery was performed. Refer to the section on swelling for explanation.
  • Slight oozing of blood is expected for the first 24 hrs. If you experience more, than this bite down on gauze for 30 min or until bleeding stops. Tea bags may also be used to bite down on after being soaked in water. This can be repeated. If this does not stop please contact us.
  • Swelling is normal and will be the worse on the third day. After this time, you should slowly start to see a decrease in swelling. Ice can be placed to the face 20 min on/ 20 min off for the first 48 hrs.
  • Diet: Recommend soft foods for first few days and then advance as tolerated.
  • If you have been placed on antibiotics, take the tablets or liquid as directed. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent or treat infection. Discontinue antibiotic use in the event of a rash or other unfavorable reaction. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
  • Nausea and vomiting are common side effect of IV sedation, general anesthesia, and many narcotic oral pain medications. In the event of nausea and/or vomiting following surgery, do not take anything by mouth for at least an hour, including the prescribed pain medicine. You should then sip on coke, tea or ginger ale. You should sip slowly over a fifteen-minute period. Once the nausea subsides, you can begin taking solid foods and restart the prescribed pain medicine. If the nausea and vomiting do not resolve, please contact our office.
  • Oral Hygiene: Keeping your mouth clean after surgery is essential. In addition to any prescription mouthwashes you may have been given, you may use 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water and gently rinse with portions of the solution. Repeat at least twice a day. Please exercise caution when brushing around the surgical site by doing so very gently for the first two weeks. We do encourage you to brush and floss all other areas as you normally would.  Good oral hygiene is key to a healthy surgical site.
Please call the office with questions. Please call 911 for life threatening emergencies. Office: 973-402-0595 / Dr. Boukheir: 973-520-7752
380 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, New Jersey 07004
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