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The first 24 hours:

• You may be very sleepy, but you could instead be very alert. Either way, be prepared to stay quiet and take it easy for a few days.
• You will need to remain in the company of a friend or family member (see “Caretaker instructions”)
• You may feel a bit wobbly or have difficulty walking after being sedated
• Do not operate a motorized vehicle, machinery or hazardous device
• Do not go up/down stairs unattended
• Drink plenty of fluids (read more about Diet)
• Do not brush the surgical area (but you can brush any remaining natural teeth with a special post-operative toothbrush without paste)
• Do not rinse or use a Water Pik, as it could damage the surgical area
• If you wear dentures, do not take them out (except for a brief rinse, if necessary)
• Call us if you have questions or difficulties
• If you experience symptoms that warrant a physician and are unable to reach us, go to the nearest emergency room

Discomfort / Pain medication
It's normal to feel some discomfort after surgery, once the anaesthetic has worn off. You will be provided with appropriate pain medication. In most cases, a non-narcotic pain regimen – consisting of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and/or Ibuprofen (Advil) will be prescribed. When taken together, these two medications can be as effective as a narcotic, but without any of the side effects associated with narcotics. If you have any questions about your medication, please speak with your dentist prior to surgery.

Other medication

• Take any medication we have prescribed on the special dosing schedule
• Take any regularly-scheduled medication (for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) on your regular schedule, unless advised otherwise by your doctor

Potential side effects

• Temporary amnesia : Not remembering the details of the procedure
• Over-sedation: This can occur within sensitive individuals, or patients who have taken alcohol, sleeping pills or pain relievers without discussing it with the dentist

Swelling

• Swelling after surgery is a normal body reaction, and it tends to reach its maximum 36-48 hours after surgery – lasting up to six days
• To help control any swelling, apply a gel icepack over the surgical area (30 minutes on, 30 minutes off) for the first 24 hours
• If swelling occurs after 48 hours, switch to moist heat (a hot water bottle or a warm washcloth). Alternate between hot and cold (10 minutes on, 10 minutes off)
• Remember that you must avoid heat for the first 24 hours after surgery

Bruising: Mild bruising around the surgical area is normal, and should disappear within a week or two

Stiffness: After surgery, you may experience jaw muscle stiffness and have difficult opening your mouth. This is normal, and should improve in 5-10 days.

Stitches / Sutures: If you have stitches, you may need to have them removed at an appointment 7-14 days after the procedure. Dissolving sutures will disappear on their own in 4-6 days.

Packing: If a pink bubblegum-like material was placed over your surgical area, try to keep it on for two or three days. If it falls off before then, call our office. It may stay on for the first full week, and be removed at your follow-up appointment.

Bleeding

• Bite firmly on gauze until the freezing starts to disappear, and then remove it gently. Replace with new damp gauze if needed.
• If the bleeding begins again, place a damp teabag directly over the surgical area and bite firmly until the bleeding stops
• It's normal for some blood may ooze from the surgery area for a day or two. But if bleeding persists, contact our office.

Caretaker tips (for the first 24 hours):

• The patient may be very sleepy or very alert, so it's important to stay with them throughout the first 24 hours
• They might have difficult walking after sedation, so assist them gently
• Ensure that the patient does not operate a motorized vehicle, machinery or hazardous device
• Do not let the patient go up/down stairs unattended
• Ensure that the patient drink plenty of fluids
• Call us if you have questions or difficulties
• If you feel the patient is experiencing dangerous symptoms, take them to the nearest emergency room

Special considerations:

If you had a bone graft:

• It is normal to find white sand-like particles
• Do not vigorously rinse or spit for the first two weeks
• Do not apply pressure with your tongue or fingers to the grafted area during the healing process
• Do not lift or pull on your lip to look at the sutures, as this can cause damage to the wound site and/or tear the sutures

If you had a sinus lift:

• Do not blow your nose
• Do not suck liquids with a straw
• Take your antibiotics as directed
• Slight nosebleeds are normal during the first few days
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco, as this greatly inhibits the healing process
• Do not lift or pull on your lip to look at the stitches, as this can cause damage to the wound site and/or tear the stitches