Frequently Asked Questions or Comments

Can I drink water before surgery?

No. Nothing to eat or drink after 8pm the night before, unless you need to take medications as instructed by our staff.

What medications do I need to take before surgery?

We request any heart, blood pressure, seizure and Parkinson’s meds be taken morning of surgery with a sip of water. Pre-med antibiotics can also be taken 1 hour prior to surgery with a sip of water.

What are the Pre-Med requirements?

Pre-meds are suggested for orthopedic (Total knee, hip etc) surgeries that have been within the last 6 mo. Also any heart valve replacements will require a pre-med.

I have a cold, do I need to reschedule?

Reschedule criteria is productive cough, chest congestion, fever >100

Is it normal to be bruised?

Sometimes bruises occur first near your surgical site and then move down into your neck and then chest by gravity. Bruises change colors from black/blue to yellow/green as they resolve. This is normal.

How do I eat or drink with gauze in my mouth?

Do not do this. Take the gauze out anytime you eat or drink and put fresh gauze in after you are done.

I am still bleeding after my oral surgery, what do I do?

You may have some gauze in your mouth after surgery that you will need to bite on or you will be given some gauze to take home. The purpose of the gauze you were given is to apply firm, consistent pressure to the extraction sites for 30-45 minutes at a time. If you have gauze in your mouth and you are not biting down firmly, the gauze is doing no good. If the bleeding continues, you can use a Tea Bag to help form a clot to the area that is bleeding. You will need to moisten the Tea Bag with a little bit of water and bite firmly directly to that spot. If your mouth is rapidly filling up with blood and the above measures are not helping to slow down the bleeding, call our office for assistance. Also, it is not unusual to notice small episodes of bleeding for several days after having teeth removed; simply bite on gauze again in the area of bleeding if you experience bleeding in the days after your surgery.

Ice does not feel good. Can I use heat?

Ice will help swelling and heat will help blood supply back to the area. Initially use ice for the first 24-36 hrs then you may alternate the two.

I see a white spot in the socket where the tooth was removed.

This is normal. It is like a scab in the mouth. Also if sutures were placed, they will turn a white color as they begin to dissolve.

What can I take after surgery for pain management if I elect to not take narcotics?

The best regimen for acute pain control after wisdom teeth is non-narcotic pain medication, specifically Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Typically, Ibuprofen 600-800mg every 6-8 hrs. (OTC tablets are Ibuprofen 200 mg each) Use the Ibuprofen in combination with Tylenol 1000mg (two extra strength pills) every 6 hrs. Alternating between these medications every three hours maximized the effects.

How long can I expect to be in pain?

Every surgery and patient is different. Pain is normal for several days after surgery, especially day three and four. Your third day after surgery could be worse pain and swelling but should get better after that.

How do I put gauze in with my denture?

Put the same gauze in between the teeth as you would normally so that the denture fits tightly on the gums.

What if I get food in the hole where my tooth was?

Your mouth rinses should take care of any food getting trapped in the hole.

When can I start rinsing my mouth?

24 hours after surgery or when your bleeding stops.

When will my hole close?

The socket (hole) heals from the inside out. The tissue will start to close over in 1-2 weeks and then it could take 2 months for the socket to completely heal.

I have a flap of tissue where the oral surgery was done.

This can be normal and the best suggestion is to try and keep your tongue out of the area. That will continue to disturb the area. If the patient experiences fever, severe pain and swelling associated with this “flap” make them a follow up appt with the surgeon.

When will my stitches fall out?

They will begin to dissolve several days after surgery but some may take weeks. The area will still heal properly even if they fall out the day or surgery, try to keep your tongue out of the area.

I am still numb, how long will it last?

Depending on what oral surgery was done, some numbness can be normal for one week or as long as a few months after the surgery.

When can I brush?

You can brush your teeth the evening after your surgery, but be careful to not disturb the surgical site. Do not use a Sonicare toothbrush around the surgical area after bone grafts or dental implants until told by surgeon it is ok.

When can I wear my retainer?

You can wear your retainer the day after surgery or when the retainer will fit comfortably.

How long do I need to wait to play sport or play band instrument?

No contact sports for 1 week and no playing of instruments for 3 weeks.

When can I eat solid foods?

You will need to start with liquids until the numbness wears off then you may have soft foods, small bites and chew with your front teeth. If you had dental implants placed, please avoid chewing hard foods for 6 weeks.

What do I do about the nausea after surgery?

It is suggested that you start with clear liquids on the day of surgery. After holding down clear liquids you can then progress to soft foods. If you continue to have nausea an anti-emetic such as Zofran can be eRx to your pharmacy.

When can I drink through a straw?

After 1 week.

How long do I have to wait to smoke?

Smoking delays healing therefore it is not recommended at all but if you must smoke wait at least 1 week.

My denture will not stay in, can I take it out?

Yes you can take it out, you will probably need to contact your dentist to realign your denture.

I feel sharp edges where my tooth was.

That is normal to feel. You are feeling the bone that the tooth set in. It will wear down and cover with gum, eventually. Try to keep your tongue out of the area.

I use a CPAP, can I use it after my surgery?

It is preferred to let the area heal for at least 3 days after oral surgery although some people require CPAP due to the severity of their sleep apnea so this needs to be determined on an individual basis.