Do not disturb the wound with the tongue. Do not rinse on the day of surgery. Do not smoke for at least 4 days after the operation, it slows down the healing process and irritates the operated areas.

Post-operative swelling occurs after most oral procedures or extractions. Apply ice to the operated area to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes, remove it for 20 minutes, and continue at this rate for the first few hours after surgery.

Follow a soft diet until the day of suture removal. You can eat anything except small hard pieces such as toast, nuts, as long as you chew on the opposite side of the operation. Drink plenty of fluids and limit alcohol use.

The day after the operation, start rinsing with chlorhexidine 0.12% 2 times a day (Plak-out, Chlorexil, chlorohex, Plac control, Eludril) until the sutures are removed. If you are not given chlorhexidine for mouthwash, you can use warm salt water for washing 2-3 times a day. Do not brush your teeth on the day of surgery and do not brush the surgery area until the stitches are removed.

You will feel pain for the first few days after surgery. Use the pain relievers recommended by your dentist. Usually, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are sufficient to treat the pain. Avoid aspirin as it can interfere with the clotting process and cause bleeding. If you are given narcotic pain relievers (eg Lonarid), do not drive or operate machinery while under the influence. An increase in pain after the 3rd day is not expected.

If you have been prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed and for the length of time recommended by your dentist. CAUTION is needed if you are taking contraceptive pills, as their effectiveness may be reduced and you may need an additional contraceptive method.

If you bleed in the first few days, don't worry. Avoid alcohol and hot drinks and foods. When you are bleeding, do not rinse your mouth. Moisten a gauze pad or tea bag with some warm water, place it on the area and hold it firmly for 30 minutes. Try not to lie down for a while, don't spit and put ice on the outside. Contact your dentist if you are still bleeding 2 days after surgery.

A small percentage of patients after tooth extraction develop a complication known as 'dry socket'. The healing of the tissues in the dry socket becomes difficult for several reasons – one of the main ones is smoking – resulting in severe pain from the 3rd to the 10th day. If you experience increasing pain that gets worse over the days, does not improve with pain relievers, and radiates to the ear and jaw, contact your doctor.

Nausea can be caused by analgesic-anti-inflammatory drugs. Try to drink plenty of fluids. Also non-carbonated soft drinks help to deal with nausea.

Bruising of the skin is to be expected and may last for weeks.

Local anesthetics are active for 24-28 hours. If you experience numbness beyond this period, notify your doctor.

Limit your physical activity and exercise for 3-5 days.

Your doctor has placed stitches that will either be absorbed in 2-3 weeks or you will be asked to return to the office to have them removed.