Oral Surgery: Pre & Post-Surgery Care

Pre Surgery

Depending on your medical/dental condition and your level of anxiety/comfort level, oral surgery can be done under local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia.

Before undergoing surgery, please note:

1. Effect of anaesthesia varies from one patient to another, depending on the patient’s medical condition and metabolism
2. Expect some discomfort/swelling for the first 3 days; in most cases, discomfort will start to go away after the 3rd day
3. You can go home on the same day except if you are going through general anaesthesia

If the surgery is performed under sedation, please note:

1. Fasting (no eating and no drinking) 4 hours before the procedure
2. Have someone accompany you to the clinic so that he/she can bring you home after the procedure as you may experience slight dizziness or weakness in your legs
3. Do not drive on that day

At the end of the surgery, our front desk staff will provide instructions on medication to be taken (if any) and provide assistance as needed. If a follow up visit is required, our front desk staff will arrange an appointment for you based on your availability.

Post-Surgery

1. You may experience some swelling, pain, bleeding, discomfort and tightness of jaw muscles during the first few days.
2. Slight oozing of blood is normal. If significant bleeding occurs, place a gauze or cotton pad over the bleeding site and apply pressure by biting down firmly for 15-20 minutes. This may need to be repeated.
3. If bleeding is excessive and uncontrolled by pressure, contact your dentist immediately.
4. To minimise swelling, an ice pack (small bag of frozen peas wrapped in a cloth) may be held on the side of the face. Apply 10-15 minutes every hour on the day of surgery.
5. Keep all wounds clean.
6. Rinse your mouth gently 6-8 times a day with warm, salty water (1/4 teaspoon of salt in a cup of water). Very vigorous rinsing in the first 24 hours should be avoided as this will disturb the blood clot.
7. Frequent gauze change or mouth rinsing disrupts the blood clotting process and promotes bleeding. If necessary, change pressure gauze pack at 30 minutes intervals.
8. Brush your teeth including those around the wound. Food remnants and plaque delay healing.
9. Take the prescribed medication to ensure a smooth post-surgery recovery. If you develop a rash or other complication after taking the prescribed medication, please stop the medication and call the clinic.
10. One day after surgery, the surgical site should be cleansed by rinsing the mouth gently with antiseptic mouthwash or with warm salt water after meals and before going to bed. This will help reduce the risk of infection.
11. Drink plenty of cold or warm fluid and eat soft food on the un-operated side for a few days following your surgery.
12. Avoid hot drinks, hot, spicy or hard food, alcohol, stimulants (e.g. caffeine), vigorous physical effort and playing with the wound.
13. Avoid smoking as this delays healing.
14. Drink directly from the cup. Do not use a straw.
15. Attend all post-surgery appointments that you have been given.