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Horizon OMS of Chicago - Board-Certified Oral Surgeon in Lombard Illinois
Horizon OMS of Chicago
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After Surgery Instructions

General guidance for healing after oral surgery. Individual instructions may vary based on your procedure.

Recovery guides by procedure

Looking for procedure-specific instructions? Start here:

Wisdom teeth removal Dental implants All‑on‑X Bone grafting Sinus lift IV sedation TMJ care

Swelling and discomfort

Swelling is expected after oral surgery and typically increases over the first 24–72 hours. This is a normal part of healing. Mild bruising can also occur.

Ice packs may be used intermittently during the first day unless you were instructed otherwise. After the first 24–48 hours, gentle warmth may help jaw stiffness.

Bleeding and oozing

Light bleeding or oozing is common during the first day and may recur with brushing or activity. What appears to be a large amount of blood is often saliva mixed with a small amount of blood, which can exaggerate the appearance.

Managing persistent oozing

  • Bite firmly on clean gauze for 30–45 minutes without checking.
  • If bleeding continues, replace with fresh gauze and repeat.
  • A slightly moistened black tea bag may be used instead of gauze.
  • Avoid spitting, forceful rinsing, or using straws during the first day.
Amicar mouth rinse (aminocaproic acid): In some cases—especially if you have a pre‑existing bleeding condition or your surgeon recommends additional strategies to reduce bleeding—you may be prescribed a special mouth rinse commonly known as “Amicar.” See Amicar mouth rinse instructions (PDF).

Sutures (stitches)

Sutures are commonly placed to support healing. The timing of removal depends on the procedure.

  • For many extractions, sutures are removed within 5–7 days.
  • For bone grafting and many implant-related procedures, sutures are often removed at a follow-up visit around 3 weeks.

Some sutures dissolve on their own and may loosen or fall out during healing.

Oral hygiene

Continue gentle brushing, avoiding direct trauma to the surgical area. Mild bleeding during brushing can be normal early on. If you were provided a specific rinse or instructions, follow those directions.

Call us if: you have bleeding that does not slow with pressure, swelling that worsens after day 3, fever, or increasing pain that feels out of proportion.

Frequently asked questions

How much swelling is normal after surgery?

Swelling usually peaks between 1–3 days and then gradually improves. Mild bruising and jaw stiffness can be normal.

Is it normal to taste blood or see red saliva?

Yes. A small amount of bleeding mixed with saliva can look like a lot. Light oozing is common on the first day and may recur with brushing.

What should I do if bleeding won’t stop?

Place gauze directly over the site and bite firmly for 30–45 minutes without checking. Repeat with fresh gauze if needed. A slightly moistened black tea bag can help. If heavy bleeding persists, contact us.

When can I brush and rinse?

You can brush gently, avoiding the surgical area. Do not spit or rinse forcefully on the first day. After that, gentle rinsing is usually fine unless you were given different instructions.

When will my stitches come out?

Many extraction sutures are removed at 5–7 days. Bone graft and many implant-related sutures are often removed around 3 weeks at the post-op visit.

What can I eat after surgery?

Stick to a soft diet at first (yogurt, eggs, pasta, smoothies without a straw). Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods while soreness and swelling are present.

How do I know if something is wrong?

Call us for increasing swelling after day 3, fever, foul taste with worsening pain, or bleeding that does not improve with sustained pressure.

When can I return to work or exercise?

Light activity is usually fine within 24–48 hours, but avoid heavy exertion for several days because it can increase bleeding and swelling. Your return-to-work timeline depends on the procedure and your comfort level.

Questions after your procedure?

Phone: (872) 265-2476
Email: horizonoms@outlook.com

Prefer a printable copy? Download our PDF instructions.

Patient resources

Download our post‑operative guides and recovery instructions.

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