Postoperative Instructions

After the wisdom teeth have been extracted, bleeding is very rarely profuse. In case of moderate bleeding, you can bite gently on one of the 2×2 compresses that have been provided. It is also recommended not to drink with a straw during the first 24 hours, because suction could delay the formation of a blood clot. Also, it is possible that bruises appear on the cheeks or neck; they will disappear without any treatment in 5 to 7 days. Please note that light bleeding is normal during the first 24 hours and appears due to small blood threads entangled in the saliva.

To reduce swelling, apply a bag of ice to the side of the face where your wisdom tooth was removed, alternating 10 to 15 minutes with and without ice. Do this for the first 48 hours following your surgery only. Afterward, the use of moist warm compresses is recommended. Note that it is normal to have swelling and it should disappear within 5 to 7 days after surgery. You may also have trouble opening your mouth.

Do not spit forcefully or rinse vigorously the day of the operation. The day after your surgery, you can rinse gently with a little warm salt water (1/3 teaspoon in 1 cup of water), or the mouthwash that you may have been prescribed. Unless otherwise directed, you can brush your teeth gently while avoiding the wound left by the tooth extraction. Good hygiene promotes successful tissue healing.

A soft and cold diet is recommended on the first day. Avoid foods and liquids that are overly hot, hard or spicy. Avoid putting any pressure on the area where the tooth was extracted. It is important to stay properly hydrated.

Do ​​not smoke. Smoking delays the healing process and increases the risk of infection after the procedure.

Take your painkillers regularly on the first day and as necessary afterwards. Take any other medications as prescribed.

Avoid intense physical activity for the next three days.

The sutures used will resorb and fall out within 6 to 10 days. Otherwise, they will be removed during your check-up.

Bleeding is usually minimal after dental implant placement. In the case of moderate bleeding, gently bite on one of the 2×2 compresses that have been given to you. It is also recommended to not drink with a straw for the first 24 hours, as this could weaken the blood clot formation. It is also possible that bruises appear on the cheeks or neck; they will disappear without any treatment in 5 to 7 days. Please note that light bleeding is normal during the first 24 hours and occurs due to small blood threads interwoven in the saliva.

To reduce swelling, apply a bag of ice to the side of the face where your dental implant is located, alternating 10 to 15 minutes with ice and 10 to 15 minutes without ice. Do this for the first 48 hours following the surgery only. Afterward, the use of moist warm compresses is recommended. Please note that swelling is normal and it should disappear within 5 to 7 days after surgery. You may also have trouble opening your mouth.

Do not spit with too much force and do not rinse vigorously. The day after your surgery, you can rinse gently with a little warm salt water (1/3 teaspoon in 1 cup of water), or with the mouthwash that may have been prescribed. Unless otherwise directed, you can brush your teeth gently around the healing cap of your dental implant. Good hygiene promotes successful tissue healing.

A soft and cold diet is recommended on the first day. Avoid foods and liquids that are too hot, too hard or too spicy. Avoid any pressure on the healing cap of your implant. It is important to stay properly hydrated.

Do ​​not smoke. Smoking delays healing, increases the risk of infection and decreases the success rate of dental implants and the bone graft (if applicable).

On day one, take your painkillers regularly and as necessary afterwards. Take any other medications as prescribed.

Avoid intense physical activity for the next three days.

The sutures used will resorb and fall out within 6 to 10 days. Otherwise, they will be removed during your check-up.

After your surgery, you will have a one or two-night hospital stay.

During your hospital stay, a nurse will meet with you and give you all the necessary information. Do not hesitate to ask them questions.

Applying ice is recommended for the first 48 hours. You will be able to start applying moist heat on the third day.

During your hospital stay, a nutritionist will meet with you and give you nutrition tips and advice. However, unless otherwise advised by your surgeon, a soft-liquid diet is mandatory for the first 2 weeks. Afterward, for the next 2 to 6 weeks, you can gradually increase the consistency to a soft diet (eggs, pasta, fish, minced meat). After 6 weeks, you can start, always gradually, to eat what you want.

Swelling is expected following your procedure. The swelling will reach its peak approximately 48 hours after your surgery. It will gradually subside after this. Two weeks after the procedure, 50 to 60% of the swelling will have disappeared. This rate will increase to 80 or 90% after 1 month. Applying ice helps to limit swelling. It is unnecessary or even harmful to prolong the application of ice for more than 48 hours.

It is recommended to carefully follow the dosage of the prescribed analgesic medication to best manage any postoperative discomfort.

In order to facilitate healing and limit the risks of infection, good oral hygiene is required. In the first days following your surgery, tooth brushing will be more difficult due to swelling and discomfort. It is permissible to not brush your teeth during these first few days. As soon as possible, brush your teeth again. A workaround is to buy yourself a smaller soft-bristled toothbrush for children. We encourage you to rinse your mouth frequently with a salt water solution and use the mouthwash you have been prescribed.

It is not recommended to do intense and high level physical activity for the first two weeks. Any contact sport is forbidden for 3 months following the surgery.

During the first days following your procedure, take the time to rest and regain strength. Depending on the type of surgery and your line of work, you can expect to return to work 2 to 6 weeks after your surgery.

Upon leaving the hospital, you will be given an analgesic prescription and antimicrobial mouthwash. You may also be prescribed an antibiotic and decongestant.

Most of the time, the sutures used for the wounds inside the mouth are resorbable. The type of sutures used can vary with regard to the skin and you will be informed when and where they should be removed.

Your top and bottom teeth may be attached to each other with small metal wires or elastic bands. This fixation between the jawbones is intended to immobilize the fractures much like a plaster would do. This situation makes feeding more difficult and requires a liquid diet. Due to the risk of suffocation or aspiration in the event of vomiting, it is important not to abuse alcohol and avoid being in contact with people who may have a gastrointestinal virus. Always keep a small pin-cutter on you (a nail clipper could do the trick). Use it to release the fixation in case of respiratory distress.

As for diet, there is no need to worry! During your hospital stay, a nutritionist will meet with you and provide you with a small book made specifically for oral and maxillofacial surgery patients. Unless otherwise directed by your surgeon, a soft-liquid diet is mandatory for a period ranging from 2 to 8 weeks.

Swelling is expected following the procedure. The swelling will reach its peak approximately 48 hours after your surgery. Afterward, it will gradually dissipate. Applying ice helps to limit swelling. However, ice should not be applied for more than 48 hours, as any longer will delay the dissipation of the swelling. Application of moist heat is recommended after the first 48 hours.

It is recommended to follow the dosage of the prescribed medication to manage any postoperative discomfort. Applying ice for the first two days will also aid in comfort.

In order to facilitate healing, good oral hygiene is required. In the first days following your surgery, brushing your teeth will be more difficult due to swelling and discomfort. It is permissible to not brush your teeth during these first days. As soon as possible, recommence brushing. One workaround is to buy yourself a smaller soft-bristled toothbrush for children. We encourage you to rinse your mouth frequently with a salt water solution and with the prescribed mouthwash.

It is not recommended to do intense or high level physical activity for the first two weeks. Any contact sport is forbidden for 3 months following the surgery.

During the first days following your procedure, take the time to rest and regain strength. Depending on the type of surgery and your line of work, you can expect to return to work 2 to 6 weeks after your surgery.

When leaving the hospital, you will be given a prescription for an analgesic and other medications if necessary.