Call us right away if you have
- Bleeding that won’t settle with sustained, firm gauze pressure
- Pain that gets worse after the first few days instead of easing
- Fever, or swelling that keeps spreading
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing — treat this as an emergency
- Numbness that persists beyond what you were told to expect
- A reaction to any medication you were prescribed
- Anything that simply doesn’t feel like it’s heading the right way
If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, chest pain, or uncontrolled bleeding, seek emergency medical care immediately — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions
What follows is general guidance that applies to most oral surgery. It is not a substitute for the specific written instructions you were given for your procedure — those account for what was done, your medical history, and anything prescribed for you.
Wherever the two differ, follow the instructions you were given, and call us if anything is unclear.
Keep this to hand
- This page is formatted to print cleanly — for reference during recovery
- Have whoever is caring for you read it too
- Save our number before your procedure, not after
Before your surgery
Tell us everything you take
Bring a current list of all medications, including over-the-counter items, supplements, and herbal remedies. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication on your own — including blood thinners. Tell us instead, and we’ll plan around it and coordinate with your physician where that’s needed.
Sort out your transport
Not all sedation is the same: nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, while oral sedation takes hours to clear and means you must have a responsible adult bring you, take you home, and stay with you. We’ll confirm exactly what applies to your appointment when it’s booked — please arrange it in advance rather than on the day.
Eating, drinking, and comfort
For surgery under local anesthetic alone, you generally don’t need to fast — having eaten beforehand usually keeps you steadier. If you’re having sedation, follow the specific fasting instructions you were given. Wear comfortable clothing, and if you’re anxious, say so when you arrive.
The First Day After Surgery
Most of what determines how smoothly you heal happens in the first twenty-four hours — and most of it is about protecting the clot.
Keep firm pressure on the gauze
Bite down steadily on the gauze pad over the site, as instructed. Steady, uninterrupted pressure is what lets a clot form — changing it every few minutes to check works against you. Replace it as directed if bleeding continues.
Rest, and keep your head up
Take it easy for the remainder of the day, and rest with your head elevated rather than lying flat — it reduces both bleeding and swelling. Avoid exercise, heavy lifting, and anything strenuous.
Ice, gently and in intervals
An ice pack against the cheek over the area, in intervals rather than continuously, helps limit swelling on the first day. Swelling that builds over the first day or two is expected, not a sign something has gone wrong.
Protect the blood clot
No smoking or vaping, no drinking through a straw, and no vigorous rinsing or spitting. All three can dislodge the clot that’s protecting the socket, which is how dry socket happens. Smoking also slows healing generally, and this is the moment where stopping helps most.
Eat soft foods and stay hydrated
Soft, cool or lukewarm foods — nothing hot, crunchy, spicy, or that leaves small fragments behind. Stay well hydrated, but drink from a glass rather than a straw. Avoid alcohol.
Take pain relievers as you were instructed
Take whatever pain relief you were advised, in the way you were advised — staying ahead of discomfort works better than waiting for it to build. If you were given antibiotics, finish the full course even once you begin to feel better.
The Days After Surgery
Start gentle salt-water rinsing
Once you’re past the first day, gentle warm salt-water rinses after meals help keep the area clean — let the water fall out of your mouth rather than spitting forcefully. Follow whatever specific rinse instruction you were given.
Keep brushing, carefully
Continue brushing your other teeth normally. Clean gently around the surgical site without scrubbing at it. Keeping the rest of your mouth clean helps the site heal.
Expect steady improvement
Swelling typically peaks around the second day and then eases. Some bruising can appear and is normal. The overall direction should be gradual improvement — that trend matters more than any single day.
Attend Your Follow-Up Appointment
If stitches need removing or a review was arranged, keep that appointment even if you feel completely fine. If anything is worrying you before then, call — don’t wait for the scheduled visit.
Recovery Symptoms and When to Call
The following signs help distinguish expected recovery symptoms from changes that need a call to the practice.
Normal, and expected
- Some oozing on the first day
- Swelling that peaks around day two, then eases
- Bruising on the cheek or jaw
- Stiffness opening your mouth for a few days
- Soreness that improves steadily
Worth a phone call
- Pain increasing after the first few days
- Bleeding that won’t settle with pressure
- Fever, or swelling that spreads
- A bad taste or smell that won’t clear
- Numbness lasting longer than you were told
Call if you are unsure whether a symptom is expected. We can advise you and determine whether you need an examination.
Contact us about your recovery
Call with questions or concerns about your recovery, including symptoms you are unsure about.
3907 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33603
Find us in Tampa, FL
Medically reviewed by Angella Tomlinson, DDS, PA