After Surgery

Some ooze from the wounds in your mouth is common but should not be excessive. Pressure from biting on gauze pads which you will be provided is typically adequate to stop minor ooze. Refrain from vigorous mouth rinsing and sucking to prevent bleeding. If you are concerned about bleeding, please contact the Practice or your surgeon. Sudden swelling or brisk bleeding should prompt urgent medical attention by ringing 111.

Bruising is common after surgery and may seem to spread to wider areas of the facial and neck skin. This is often due to the effects of gravity and with normal bruising should start to resolve and fade after 2-3 weeks.

This is not a common complication and your surgical team have already reduced the risks for you before & during surgery. If you have been given antibiotics please take them as prescribed.

The signs and symptoms of an infection include a fever, feeling generally unwell, increasing rather than decreasing swelling, redness, foul-smelling or looking discharge from the wounds/sockets.

This is normal particularly after oral surgery, TMJ and orthognathic surgery. This should gradually resolve over a few weeks but if you have any concerns please contact the Practice or your surgeon.

Numbness after surgery may last for a few hours up to 24 hours depending on the type of anaesthetic given. Be aware of tongue or lip damage with chewing when eating after surgery until numbness wears off.

You will be given instructions about how to clean your teeth and keep intraoral wounds clean which may include use of mouthrinses and syringe cleaning.

Some discomfort can be expected with most types of surgery but should be manageable with the pain relief you have been provided. Use of cold ice packs or the Hilotherm cryotherapy mask can also help with pain relief. If pain seems excessive, please contact the Practice or your surgeon.

This will depend on the type of surgery you have had. Generally avoid any physical exertion for at least 24 hours but please discuss with your surgeon.

This is not an infection but can cause some pain & aching of the socket. It is not common but certain groups of patients are predisposed to getting this. Speak to your surgeon if you have concerns.

Most intraoral wounds are sutured with resorbable stitches which do not need removing but will fall out over time. Different materials take different times to dissolve but if you have any concerns please discuss them with the Practice or your surgeon. Some facial/neck sutures will need to be removed but this will be discussed with you by your surgeon.

Swelling is normal following surgery and may be reduced using ice packs or the Hilotherm cryotherapy mask. Sleeping slightly more upright can also assist with reducing swelling. Swelling that starts to interfere with your breathing or swallowing should be discussed urgently with your surgeon or prompt urgent medical attention by ringing 111.

These should fit comfortably without causing pain, pressure or ulcers. Specific advice will be given to you after surgery.