If you have any questions or concerns about your post-op care, or if you are experiencing persistent pain, please contact us right away.
Post-Operative Care from Dr. Jamielynn M. Hanam-Jahr
The mouth is an extremely sensitive part of the body, and oral surgery of any kind requires taking extra care of the area of operation. Whether you have had a routine wisdom tooth extraction or a complete cosmetic reconstruction, there are several important steps you can take to maximize the results of your procedure, prevent infection, and ease any discomfort you might experience.
Below are post-operative instructions from Dr. Jamielynn M. Hanam-Jahr. If you have any additional questions about your procedure, or if you are experiencing abnormal bleeding, swelling, severe pain, or any reaction to medications, please do not hesitate to contact our office or call us at 1-866-352-0036.
Post Operative Instructions
The following post-op instructions are recommended for patients after any form of oral surgery, including:
- Restorative treatments (such as tooth-colored fillings)
- Cosmetic reconstruction
- Tooth extraction
- Root canal therapy
- New dentures
- Temporary crowns or bridges
- Scaling and root planning
After Your Oral Surgery:
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Anesthesia often leaves the lips, teeth, tongue, and even the nasal area numb after an oral operation: avoid chewing and hot liquids until numbness wears off to prevent accidental injury.
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Taking ibuprofen prior to completely coming off the anesthesia can significantly reduce pain and swelling.
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Temperature and pressure sensitivity, as well as gum soreness, is to be expected in the days after your procedure. One of the best ways to reduce discomfort and swelling is to rinse mouth with a warm salt water mixture* at least three times each day.
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Avoid eating sticky, chewy, or hard foods, as well as alcohol and smoking, for a period of time after the procedure; drink lots of fluids and eat softer, more nutritious foods to help your body through the healing process.
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After many oral surgeries, the natural structure of the teeth and gums is altered, and it is quite normal for the brain to take a few days to adjust to your new bite. However, if you experience persistent discomfort with your bite, or cannot seem to accept to the post-op structure, please contact us to schedule an adjustment.
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Maintaining proper and consistent oral hygiene is essential to helping your mouth heal, as well as preventing any future dental problems. Carefully brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is a must.
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After a tooth extraction, it is crucial that a blood clot form in the area of removal (this is one of the reasons why you will be instructed to keep fresh gauze on the area) – do not smoke, suck on a straw, clean teeth near the extraction, or rinse forcefully for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
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New denture wearers must follow the care and cleaning instructions given by our office and in their denture kit – meticulous cleaning is necessary for preserving the dentures and general oral health.
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Antimicrobial mouth washes like Listerine® or Chlorhexidine can help prevent infection, but should be limited to no more than two consecutive weeks.
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If you have any serious post-op problems or dental emergency, please contact us right away at 1-866-352-0036.
* Salt Water Rinse: mix one teaspoon of salt with one cup of lukewarm water – gargle, rinse, and spit – repeat until contents of cup are gone.