Oral Surgery
Post-operative instructions
Post-operative instructions are the written steps your dentist gives you for care after surgery or an extraction, such as how to control bleeding and what to eat.
After an extraction or oral surgery, your dentist gives you instructions for home care. MouthHealthy says to avoid anything that might prevent normal recovery. Do not smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously, and avoid drinking through a straw for 24 hours. Follow the diet your dentist suggests.
AAOMS advises resting in the first few days, and gently biting on clean gauze to reduce bleeding. If you have swelling, apply a cold cloth or ice bag. Ask your dentist about pain medicine. You can brush and floss other teeth as usual, but do not clean the teeth next to the site.
Call your dentist if bleeding or swelling gets worse. See gauze pressure, socket clot, and dry socket. The tooth extraction page has the practice's own information.
Related terms
- Gauze pressure
- Blood clot (socket clot)
- Dry socket (alveolar osteitis)
- Sutures (stitches)
- Wisdom tooth removal