Recovering From Oral Surgery: A Gentle Aftercare Guide for the First Week

The days after oral surgery are easier when you know what to expect, and most of the worry comes from not knowing. Soreness, a little swelling and a diet of soft foods are all normal for a few days. This guide covers the basics so you can rest without second-guessing yourself, and Dr. Jennifer Okhiria's written instructions, which you receive before you leave The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite, always come first for your own case.

The First Day

Plan to rest. Gauze over the area helps with the little bleeding that is normal at first, and a cold pack held against your cheek, with breaks, helps keep swelling down. Keeping your head raised on an extra pillow when you lie down is often more comfortable. If you had sedation, an adult needs to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.

Protecting the Healing Site

After an extraction, a blood clot forms in the socket and protects it while it heals. Mayo Clinic explains that losing that clot early, for example by sucking through a straw, can leave the bone exposed and painful. That is why we ask you to skip straws, spitting hard and poking at the area with your tongue or fingers.

Eating and Drinking

For wisdom teeth, plan on a soft diet for five to seven days. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and smoothies eaten with a spoon are easy choices. Hot, spicy and crunchy foods can bother the area, so they can wait. Keep drinking water throughout the day, and add firmer foods back gradually as chewing feels comfortable.

Keeping Your Mouth Clean

A clean mouth heals better, and you can keep it clean gently. Your written instructions tell you when to begin rinsing and how, and for most patients that starts the day after surgery. Until then, leave the surgical area alone when you brush the rest of your teeth.

What Healing Looks Like

Most people are back at school or work within a few days, and wisdom tooth sockets heal over about one to two weeks. Some tenderness along the way is expected. After surgery, Dr. Okhiria calls to check on you herself, which is also a good moment to ask anything you have been wondering.

When to Call Us

Call the office if bleeding does not slow down, if pain is getting worse instead of better, if you develop a fever, or if something simply does not feel right to you. You never need to wait for a scheduled check-in to ask. For a facial injury or an emergency, go to an emergency room.

Common Questions About Recovering From Oral Surgery

How long will I be on soft foods?

For wisdom teeth, plan on five to seven days. Dr. Okhiria tailors the guidance to your procedure at The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite, and your written instructions say when to move on to firmer foods.

When can I go back to work or school?

Most patients return within a few days after wisdom teeth surgery, and the sockets heal over about one to two weeks. If you had sedation, give yourself the rest of the day to recover.

Why should I avoid straws?

Sucking can loosen the blood clot that protects an extraction site, and a missing clot can make healing painful. Drinking from a cup keeps the clot where it belongs.

Will someone check on me after surgery?

Yes. Dr. Okhiria calls her patients herself after surgery, and the office is available if questions come up before or after that call.

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