Fairfax Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Fairfax, Reston, Centreville, Burke, Woodbridge VA

703-591-5386

Patient Info

Pre- and Post-Op Instructions

Preoperative Instructions for Patients Undergoing Intravenous Anesthesia

  • FASTING - You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for six (6) hours prior to the appointment.
  • TRANSPORTATION - A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home.
  • CLOTHES - Please wear dark colored, loose fitting clothing. Sleeves, which can be rolled up past the elbow. (Contact lenses should be removed prior to surgery.)
  • MEDICATIONS - Please take heart and blood pressure medications unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon. Please notify our doctors if you are taking blood thinners.
  • RESTRICTIONS - Patients should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 24 hours following general anesthesia.

Following oral and maxillofacial surgery certain conditions may occur. The magnitude of those conditions will vary based on the procedure and patient response. These include:

  • Swelling. Swelling peaks on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day and diminishes thereafter.
  • Stiffness (Trismus) of the muscles may cause difficulty opening your mouth for a few days.
  • You may have a slight earache or sore throat.
  • Other teeth may ache temporarily.
  • The corners of the mouth may become dry and sore. Your lips should be kept moist with cream or ointment.
  • There may be a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. If temperature continues, notify us.
  • Bruising in the area of an extraction may occur.

Women please note:

Some antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control pills. Please check with your pharmacist.

Post Surgical Care

Care of Mouth After Oral Surgery

  1. Do not rinse or spit for 24 hours after surgery.
  2. Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area.
  3. Use ice packs on surgical area (side of face) for first 24 hours, apply ice 20 minutes on - 10 minutes off. Bags of frozen peas work well.
  4. For mild discomfort take Tylenol or Ibuprofen every three to four hours.
  5. For severe pain use the medication prescribed to you.
  6. Drink plenty of fluids. (Do not use a straw)
  7. If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, chewing gum at intervals will help relax the muscles, as well as the use of warm, moist heat to the outside of your face over these muscles.
  8. After the first post-operative day, use a warm salt-water rinse following meals for the first week to flush out particles of food and debris which may lodge in the surgical area. (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Mouthwash can be added for better taste.)
  9. Diet may consist of soft foods which can be easily chewed and swallowed. No seeds, nuts, rice, popcorn, etc.
  10. A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Bleeding is controlled by applying pressure to the surgical area using small rolled gauze for 90 minutes. After that time remove the gauze and then you may eat or drink. If bleeding persists, a moist tea bag should be placed in the area of bleeding and bite firmly for one hour straight. This will aid in clotting blood. Repeat if necessary. If bleeding still persists call our office.
  11. We suggest that you do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery. Nicotine may break down the blood clot and cause a "dry-socket".

Feel free to contact us if any doubt arises as to your progress and recovery.

Post-Op Instructions

What should you do following extractions and other oral surgery procedures?

A certain amount of bleeding, pain, and swelling is normal. Reduce your activity as much as possible for several hours. Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth for 24 hours. These activities may hinder formation of a blood clot which is necessary for proper healing.

Follow the simple instructions below to minimize complications and help ensure prompt recovery.

To control bleeding

A certain amount of bleeding is to be expected following surgery. Apply pressure to the surgical area by biting firmly on the rolled gauze placed there by your doctor (additional gauze will be provided to you at the time of discharge). Pressure helps reduce bleeding and permits formation of a clot in the tooth socket. You may eat and after the bleeding is well controlled, gently remove the compress and cautiously resume oral hygiene. If bleeding persists, resume pressure on the site with moistened tea bags (this will aid in clotting). Bite firmly for 1 hour. Repeat, if necessary. If bleeding still persists contact our office.

Some oozing of blood may persist for up to 24 hours.

To relieve pain

For mild discomfort over the counter pain medications may be adequate. For severe pain use the medication prescribed for you. Continue to take your medication if pain persists. If the muscles of the jaw become stiff, use warm moist heat to the outside of your face over those muscles (avoid use of moist heat until 48 hours after surgery to avoid swelling).

To minimize swelling

Immediately following the procedure use ice packs on the side of the face for the first 48 hours. Apply 20 minutes on - 10 minutes off. Bags of frozen peas work well.

Special considerations following removal of impacted teeth:

  • Removal of impacted teeth is a surgical procedure. Postoperative problems can occur, therefore good post-operative care is important.
  • Severity of postoperative pain will depend on the procedure and your personal response to that procedure. Take medication for pain precisely as directed.
  • Swelling can be expected. Be certain to apply ice bags as directed above.
  • Difficulty in opening your mouth widely and discomfort upon swallowing should be anticipated.

Oral hygiene is important

Twenty-four hours after surgery rinse mouth gently with a solution of one-half teaspoonful of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. Repeat after every meal or snack for seven days. Rinsing is important because it removes food particles and debris from the socket area and thus helps prevent infection and promote healing. Brush tongue with a dry toothbrush to keep bacteria growth down, but be careful not to touch the extraction site. Resume your regular tooth brushing after 24 hours, but avoid disturbing the surgical site so as not to loosen or remove the blood clot

Maintain a proper diet

Drink plenty of liquids (Do Not Use Straws). Have your meals at the usual time. Begin with soft, nutritious foods. You may have what you wish, but no crunchy foods such as seeds, nuts rice, popcorn, etc. Be careful not to disturb the blood clot. Add solid foods to your diet as soon as they are comfortable to chew.

Other helpful information

Keep fingers and tongue away from socket or surgical area. Do not spit for 24 hours after surgery. Do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery. Nicotine may break down the clot and cause a "dry-socket".

In case of problems

You should experience no trouble if you follow the instructions and suggestions as outlined. But if you should have any problems such as excessive bleeding, pain, or difficulty in opening your mouth, call our office immediately for further instructions or additional treatment.

Remember your follow-up visit

It is often advisable to return for a postoperative visit to make certain healing is progressing satisfactorily. A follow-up visit will be scheduled. In the meantime, maintain a healthful diet, observe rules for proper oral hygiene, and visit your dentist for regular checkups.