Oral and maxillofacial surgery can involve the teeth, their supporting structures - the tissue and the bone, or any other soft tissue of the mouth or the neck.

Upon discharge from the hospital, or following an outpatient procedure within our surgery, patients are advised to return back home and rest for the day. It is recommended to always be accompanied by a family or friend, and driving should be avoided.

CARE OF ORAL SURGERY WOUNDS

Your cooperation with the following instructions will go a long way toward helping you have a smooth and uneventful post-operative course.

  • After surgery healing usually occurs quickly and without complication.

  • There is always a risk of infection in healing oral wounds. The risk of infection is increased with smoking and the placement of foreign objects into the mouth such as fingers or pencils.

  • The mouth should be kept clean by using a soft toothbrush to clean the teeth but avoiding the wound or extraction socket.

  • Please do not chew a numb lip or tongue as injury can result.

  • Any stitches in the mouth will be dissolvable and usually disappear within 10-14 days.

  • The most common complications are pain, swelling, bleeding and infection.

    BLEEDING

  • Bleeding will be under control by the time you leave the hospital. Continued bleeding upon discharge is not normal, however, some oozing or blood-tinged saliva may persist for up to 24- 48 hours.

  • Should excessive bleeding occur, it may be controlled with pressure.

  • Apply a folded gauze pad (from the chemist) or a small, cleaned, dampened  handkerchief over the area and bite firmly for 30 minutes. This may be repeated if necessary.

  • Sleeping with the head of bed elevated above the level of the heart for the first two post-operative nights will minimize bleeding and swelling.

    PAIN

  • Pain is best controlled by the medications prescribed. They are most effective when taken before the local anaesthesia diminishes and normal sensation returns to the area.

  • Do not take pain pills on an empty stomach.  Narcotic pain medication such as codeine may cause nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, itching or constipation.

  • If these side effects occur, discontinue the medication. You may take an alternative over the counter pain medication if necessary. If the pain worsens you should call TOMIS or Dr. Ankit Garg.

    SWELLING

  • Swelling may occur immediately and/or increase gradually over 24-48 hours. It is common and can cause some difficulty with mouth opening. To minimize stiffness and stimulate circulation, exercise the jaw periodically by opening and closing. 

  • Restricted jaw opening usually requires 7-14 days to return to normal. Swelling from the surgical procedure will maximize at 48-72 hours.

  • Ice packs applied externally to the area at 20 minutes intervals throughout the first day or two after surgery may help control swelling.

  • Do not apply ice packs or ice directly to the skin, instead use a tea towel or washer as a buffer.

    INFECTION

  • Continued pain, swelling or a raised temperature may indicate infection. Due to infection spreading or delaying healing, you should contact TOMIS if you are concerned.

  • Strict oral hygiene can help avoid infection. Rinsing after meals with savacol (available from supermarkets or pharmacies) or a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water will assist.

  • If food packing in the wound occurs it may require proper syringing.

  • Please contact our rooms if you are concerned about this.

    NAUSEA

  • Nausea may result from a general anaesthetic or the drugs prescribed for pain.

  • Ceasing the prescribed pain medications and drinking a small glass of a carbonated beverage will generally control mild nausea.

    DIET

  • Soft foods and liquids will be required for 24-48 hours following surgery.

  • Avoid hot, spicy foods.

  • Do not drink through a straw or smoke (if you do) for at least 48 hours.

  • If you had surgery on only one side of the mouth, favour the other side while chewing for the first few days.

    ORAL HYGIENE

  • Hygiene should not be neglected. Brush your teeth as usual and rinse with warm salt water or savacol (as above) after each meal, beginning gently the night of surgery.

  • Avoid brushing over the extraction socket or oral wound to minimise trauma and bleeding.

    ACTIVITY 

  • Activity should be restricted to a minimum for the first 2-3 days. Strenuous work or exercise may promote bleeding.

  • Under no circumstances are you to drive a car or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after a General Anaesthetic.

    SIDE EFFECTS 

  • For example:  ear ache, hiccups, temporary ache of adjacent teeth, restricted mouth opening, stretching or cracking at the corners of the mouth or discoloration of the skin may occur postoperatively.

  • These are temporary conditions which will improve as healing progresses.

    NUMBNESS OF THE LIP AND TONGUE 

  • This occasionally follows surgery.  This is usually transient and no cause for alarm. Please avoid chewing a numb tongue or lip.

    BONY EDGES

  • After teeth are extracted, you may feel hard projections in the area and think they are pieces of tooth.  This is usually the hard, bony partition which surrounds the roots of the teeth. 

  • These generally work themselves out, though if they persist please arrange a review appointment.

    FACIAL TRAUMA AND JAW SURGERY

  • Bones take a minimum of 6 weeks healing to regain a basic level of strength. During this time we suggest you avoid contact sports or heavy, physical activity at work.

  • If your injury involves the cheek bone and/or orbit, please avoid air travel and nose blowing for 10-14 days following surgery.

  • If your surgery involves the bones of the maxilla or mandible then it is important to maintain excellent oral care and follow a strict soft, non-chew diet for 6 weeks following surgery so as to ensure there is no disruption to bony healing or your bite. You will be provided with a dietary guide as part of your post operative care pack.

A leaflet containing all the above information, along with spare gauze pads (if needed) will be provided upon your discharge.

If you experience any heavy bleeding, severe pain and abnormal swelling for over 2-3 days, or a reaction to your prescribed medication, call our office immediately at 03 6169 2129

If you experience a medical emergency, please call 000 immediately.

 
 

Do you have a question?

If this is urgent, please call TOMIS on 03 6169 2129