It is important to follow the instructions below to speed healing. Note that some discomfort and swelling are normal after surgery.
Day of surgery
- Keep the compresses in your mouth for one to two hours, applying firm pressure. Change the pads every half hour, as needed.
- Apply ice to your cheek at regular intervals (20 minutes of ice every hour).
- If bleeding occurs, bite down on a gauze pad or lightly moistened tea bag for 20 minutes.
- Bleeding and coloured saliva are normal postoperative effects.
Don’ts
- Don’t eat anything before the bleeding stops.
- Don’t drink through a straw.
- Don’t rinse your mouth or spit.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol.
- Don’t eat hard foods.
- Don’t engage in intense exercise. Rest.
Pain
- If the pain causes you discomfort, take the medication you were prescribed.
Food
- Eat only soft foods or lukewarm liquids.
The day after until full healing
- Rinse your mouth three times a day with a warm salt water solution (2 ml or ½ tsp of salt in 250 ml or 1 cup of water).
- Brush your teeth and floss daily to remove plaque and ensure the best long-term results. Don’t brush near the sensitive area for the first 72 hours.
- Avoid hard foods (nuts, candy, ice).
- Be aware that smoking, coffee, red wine and tea can stain your teeth.
- If you play sports, ask us to make you a custom mouth guard.
- You may have trouble speaking and produce extra saliva. This should subside in a week.
- There may be some bruising on the skin. This will disappear in five to seven days.
- You may have trouble opening your mouth. This should diminish in four to five days.
- If the pain increases after three days, call our office.
It takes the brain a while to recognize the new position of your teeth or their thickness. It may take a few days or even a few weeks before you can fully close your mouth. If problems persist after several weeks, call us at 450.667.3368.
