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Surgical Instructions

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How to prepare for your oral surgery.

To prepare for the appointment, refrain from eating or drinking (including water) for eight hours beforehand. Avoid smoking for at least 12 hours before oral surgery and have a responsible adult accompany you to and from the office. After the procedure, avoid driving or operating machinery for 24 hours. Wear loose-fitting clothing with rolled-up sleeves and low-heeled shoes. Remove contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures before surgery, and avoid wearing excessive makeup or nail polish. Inform the office if you have any illnesses or take routine oral medications. Contact our office with any questions regarding your specific procedure.

Post-surgery instructions and FAQs

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours. Excessive bleeding which results in your mouth filling rapidly with blood can frequently be controlled by biting with pressure on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues, please call for further instructions.


Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery. To minimize swelling, apply an ice bag or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice cubes on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice continuously as much as possible for the first 36 hours.

Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot liquids or food. Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery. Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed.

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off. For moderate pain, one or two Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol may be taken. Tylenol may be taken every three to four hours. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may be taken instead of Tylenol. Ibuprofen bought over the counter comes in 200 mg tablets: Two to three tablets may be taken every three to four hours as needed for pain. For severe pain, the prescribed medication should be taken as directed.

Mouth cleanliness is essential to good healing. Clean your mouth thoroughly after each meal beginning the day after surgery. Brush your teeth as best you can. Rinse with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) six times a day. Continue this procedure until healing is complete.


REMEMBER: A clean wound heals better and faster.

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you are considering exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising. Be aware that your normal nourishment intake is reduced. Exercise may weaken you. If you get light headed, stop exercising.

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There’s no better greeting than a warm, beautiful smile. If age or injury has left you with a less-than-perfect teeth, let St. Luke’s OMS transform you. And face the world with confidence!