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Care of the Mouth After Oral Surgery

  1. If you have no problems with taking Tylenol and Dr. Malik has recommended taking it, take Tylenol, as directed on the bottle.
  2. If you have been prescribed Ibuprofen, take that 4 hours after the Tylenol.  Continue with this 4-hour regimen as needed.  If this regimen is not working, switch the Tylenol to the narcotic (Percocet or Vicodin).  Alternate the Ibuprofen and the narcotic every 4 hours. DO NOT TAKE OR ALTERNATE NARCOTICS AND TYLENOL (NARCOTICS HAVE TYLENOL IN THEM).
  3. Some post-operative bleeding is expected for the first 24 hours.  Remove gauze and then change it every 30-60 minutes, as needed.  You may need to do that all day and overnight.  You may remove the gauze to eat. If bleeding is a problem, remove gauze and clean out your mouth with cold water, then moisten a tea bag with cold water and bite down on it for at least 30 minutes.
  4. If you are prescribed Peridex oral rinse to start on the day after surgery. You may wait another day if it is still bleeding.  The directions on the bottle are to rinse twice a day. You should also start rinsing with warm salt water throughout the day.
  5. You should start brushing tomorrow, but stay away from the surgical areas. Start brushing at the surgical areas in 3-7 days, as directed by us.
  6. If you have been given a syringe, do not begin using it until 7 days after surgery.
  7. Swelling is to be expected and will peak in three days and then will go down.  Today, apply ice to face---15 min on, 15 min off. Tomorrow, alternate ice with heat.  You should use a heating pad or a facecloth moistened with warm water to apply heat.
  8. If Stitches are dissolvable, they will fall out in several days. Do not probe operative areas or pick at clots, sutures or white healing material.
  9. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are taking prescription pain medication.
  10. Do not use straws or drink alcoholic beverages.  Do not smoke for at least 7 days.
  11. Do not make any medical or legal decisions over the next twenty-four hours.
  12. Patients who have had surgery done under Nitrous Oxide, IV Sedation or General Anesthesia, should not be left home alone following the procedure. No medical or legal decision making, while under the influence of anesthesia.
  13. Do not drive or operate any machinery if you have been sedated or have had General Anesthesia.
  14. Do not eat hot foods as long as you have any active bleeding.  Keep to cool, soft diet until bleeding has stopped.  Avoid spicy or acidic foods.
  15. If you have had an implant or bone graft placed, do not chew on this area for the recommended time Dr. Malik has stated (3-5 months).

Instructions After a Connective Graft

  • No brushing/flossing of area 10-14 days
  • No eating hard/sticky foods
  • No heavy exercise for 48 hours afterward
  • Use Peridex and/or antibacterial rinses. Four ounces of warm water with 1 tsp of salt is another option
  • No straws/suction for 7-10 days
  • No pulling on the lip to evaluate the area for 10-14 days
  • No probing/prophy of the area at gingival margin for a minimum of three months

If you have any questions or problems, please call us at 432-3308. If you need to reach Dr. Malik (after hours) urgently, you can call him at (603) 552-0620. He will return your call as soon as possible.

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