Following oral surgery, it's common to experience some discomfort, minor bleeding, swelling, and oozing. Please refrain from disturbing the surgical site by pulling on your lip or investigating the area with your tongue or fingers.

Avoid vigorous rinsing, forceful spitting, or using a straw for drinking. To help control bleeding, gently bite down on a gauze pad positioned directly over the wound for 30 minutes. Some light bleeding is normal during the initial 24 hours. Should bleeding persist, please contact our office.

It's crucial to take all prescribed medications, including any mouth rinses, as directed.

After 24 hours, you can begin using warm salt water rinses (half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water) 4–5 times daily, particularly after meals.

Once 24 hours have passed, brush your teeth with a soft manual toothbrush, taking care to be gentle around the surgical areas.

Sutures may have been used during your procedure; most are designed to dissolve on their own.

You might notice some swelling and bruising, which can become more prominent two to three days after surgery. Applying a cold compress to your face near the surgical site can help lessen this swelling.

If using an ice pack, always place a cloth between the ice and your skin. You may apply the cold compress for up to 20 minutes, followed by at least 20 minutes off, as needed. After 36 hours, a cold compress will no longer significantly impact swelling. At this point, applying moist heat to the sides of your face can aid in further reducing swelling.

Ensure you drink plenty of fluids. Steer clear of spicy or acidic foods, as well as sharp and crunchy items such as tacos, chips, and nuts. The use of tobacco and alcohol is strongly discouraged. Alcohol should never be consumed in conjunction with pain medications or antibiotics.

Limit physical activity immediately after your surgery. Avoid strenuous exertion for 2–3 days.

If a surgical dressing was applied, ideally it should remain in place for 24 hours. There's no need for you to remove it; it will detach naturally when ready. Once it comes off, you can gently clean the wound using a cotton swab dipped in mouth rinse.