Post-Op Care
Surgery is just one part of your care — what happens in the days and weeks that follow matters just as much. This page is here to help you feel prepared and supported through every stage of your recovery.
Schedule a ConsultationImmediate Post-Surgery Care
Plan to have a responsible adult drive you home after your procedure and stay with you for at least the first several hours. Sedation and anesthesia take time to fully clear your system, and it’s best for you to be accompanied until you feel steady and alert.
Rest for the remainder of the day. Keep activity light and avoid anything strenuous, because your body is working hard to begin the healing process. Giving it the space to do that makes a real difference in how smooth recovery goes.
Managing Swelling and Discomfort
Some degree of swelling and soreness after oral surgery is completely normal. Applying ice packs to the outside of your face — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off — during the first 24 to 48 hours helps manage swelling effectively. After the first two days, switching to gentle heat can support continued healing.
Your surgeon will provide specific guidance on pain management, which may include prescription medication, over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or both. Take medications as directed, and don’t wait until discomfort becomes severe before using them.
Oral Hygiene After Surgery
Keeping your mouth clean supports healing and reduces the risk of infection — but the approach needs to be gentle in the early days. Brush your teeth carefully, avoiding the surgical site until your surgeon clears you to resume normal brushing in that area. Warm saltwater rinses are typically recommended starting 24 hours after surgery and can be done gently several times a day. Avoid commercial mouthwashes unless your surgeon has specifically approved them.
Activity and Diet
You can return to normal activity gradually. Most patients can resume light daily routines within a few days, but strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and anything that significantly elevates your heart rate should be avoided for at least the first week, or as directed by your surgeon.
Stick to soft foods while healing — things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soups. Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that could irritate the surgical site, and don’t use straws, which can disrupt healing tissue.
Follow-Up Care and When to Call Us
Most recoveries go smoothly when post-operative instructions are followed carefully. That said, there are certain signs that you’d want to notify your care team about, like: excessive or worsening bleeding, severe pain that isn’t relieved by prescribed medication, fever, unusual swelling, or any discharge from the surgical site.
If something doesn’t feel right, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We would always rather hear from you than have you wait and wonder. Follow-up appointments are scheduled based on your specific procedure, and your care team will stay in contact to monitor your progress. You always have us by your side — through treatment and recovery.
Schedule a ConsultationCommon Questions About Post-Op Recovery
It depends on the procedure. Minor extractions may resolve within a few days, while more involved surgeries like jaw procedures or implant placements involve a longer timeline. Your surgeon will give you a realistic recovery estimate specific to your case before you leave your appointment.
Soft, easy-to-chew foods are your best option in the early days. Yogurt, eggs, mashed vegetables, blended soups, and smoothies all work well. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or requiring significant chewing until your surgeon tells you it’s safe to expand your diet. Staying hydrated is equally important — just skip the straws.
Most patients with desk jobs or light routines feel ready to return within two to three days. More physical work may require a longer break. Your surgeon will give you specific guidance based on your procedure and how your recovery is progressing at your follow-up visit.
Meet Our Surgeons
Our team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons brings decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to individualized patient-centered care.
Patient Testimonials
The most honest measure of our work is how our patients feel when they leave. Read what real patients across East Texas are saying about their care at Tyler Oral Facial Surgery.
