Surgical Instructions for Oral Surgery Procedures

Before Anesthesia

• You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for eight (8) hours prior to the appointment.
• No smoking at least 12 hours before surgery.
• A responsible adult must accompany the patient and drive you home.
• You should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after anesthesia.
• Wear loose clothing; remove contact lenses, jewelry, dentures, makeup, and nail polish on the day of surgery.
• If you have an illness (cold, sore throat, stomach issues), notify the office.
• If you take routine medications, check with Dr. Wooten prior to your surgical date.

After Extractions

• Bite on a gauze pad for 30–45 minutes after the appointment to form a blood clot.
• Avoid rinsing vigorously, drinking through straws, smoking, alcohol, or brushing near the extraction site for 72 hours.
• Limit vigorous exercise for 24 hours to avoid increased bleeding.
• Use pain medication as prescribed; if antibiotics were given, finish the course.
• Drink lots of fluid and eat soft food on the day of extraction.
• Resume normal dental routine after 24 hours, including gentle brushing and flossing.
• Contact the office if you experience heavy bleeding, severe pain, swelling lasting 2–3 days, or medication issues.

After Multiple Extractions

• Minor bleeding is expected — apply gauze with firm biting pressure for 30 minutes; use a moist tea bag if needed.
• Avoid hot liquids, strenuous exercise, and elevate the head if bleeding persists.
• Use ice packs externally on the face for the first 36 hours.
• For mild discomfort, take over-the-counter medications; for severe pain, use prescribed medication.
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least six glasses on the first day).
• Do not rinse the mouth on the first post-operative day; after bleeding stops, rinse with warm salt water every 4 hours and after meals.
• Soft diet initially; advance diet as tolerated.
• Swelling and discoloration around the face are normal; warm towels may help after 36 hours.
• Immediate dentures should not be removed unless there’s severe bleeding; sore spots should be adjusted by your dentist.

After Dental Implant Surgery

• Do not disturb the wound — avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the area.
• Bleeding: Mild bleeding or blood-tinged saliva is normal for 24 hours. Bite on gauze for 30 minutes if bleeding continues.
• Swelling: Apply an ice bag on the cheek near the surgical site continuously for the first 36 hours.
• Diet: Drink plenty of fluids; avoid hot liquids and foods. Eat soft foods on the day of surgery.
• Pain: Begin pain meds as anesthesia wears off; use Tylenol or ibuprofen unless instructed otherwise.
• Antibiotics: Take prescribed antibiotics as directed.
• Oral Hygiene: Use prescribed rinses (e.g., Peridex) the night of surgery and warm salt water rinses after meals starting the next day. Brush gently around the healing area.
• Activity: Minimize physical activity immediately after surgery.
• Prosthesis: Avoid wearing dentures or partials for at least 10 days unless otherwise instructed.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal

• Keep the gauze pad in place for 30 minutes after surgery; avoid vigorous rinsing, touching the wound, or sucking through a straw.
• Bleeding: Slight bleeding or redness is normal; bite on gauze or a moist tea bag for 30 minutes if necessary.
• Swelling: Apply ice packs to the sides of the face; up to 36 hours post-surgery.
• Pain: Take prescribed pain meds as directed.
• Diet: After general or IV sedation, sip liquids without a straw; eat soft foods as tolerated.
• Oral Hygiene: No rinsing until the day after surgery; gentle brushing and warm salt water rinses (5–6 times daily) help keep the area clean.
• Complications: Temporary numbness, sore throat, discoloration, or jaw stiffness may occur; contact the office for unusual symptoms or if pain worsens.
• Sutures: Sutures are removed approximately one week after surgery.
• Dry Socket: If the clot dislodges, pain may occur — contact the office if this happens.

After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

• Do not disturb the surgical packing; it helps keep the tooth exposed.
• Bleeding: Slight bleeding or redness in saliva is normal; control heavier bleeding by biting on gauze with firm pressure.
• Swelling: Use ice on the cheek near the surgical area for the first 36 hours.
• Diet: Drink plenty of fluids and eat soft foods on the day of surgery.
• Pain: Take medications as prescribed; avoid any that you are allergic to or instructed not to take.
• Oral Hygiene: Maintain cleanliness after each meal with warm salt water rinses and brushing as tolerated.
• Activity: Minimize physical activity immediately after surgery.
• Healing Reminder: A clean wound heals better — keep the area clean.