Your care doesn’t end when your procedure is complete. Ensuring a smooth and comfortable recovery is just as important as the surgery itself. Our team provides clear, personalised post-operative instructions to help you heal safely, manage discomfort, and minimise the risk of complications.
Whether you’ve had a simple extraction or a more complex surgical treatment, this section will guide you through what to expect in the hours, days, and weeks following your procedure. If you have any concerns at any point in your recovery, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Post-Operative Instructions
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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During office hours: Call our rooms on (02) 6282 3848.
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After hours: Call The Canberra Hospital switchboard on (02) 5124 000 and speak to the registers in the Oral & Maxillofacial Department.
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In an emergency: Please go directly to The Canberra Hospital Emergency Department or dial 000.
Post-Operative Instructions
Expect some pain and tenderness following your surgery. Pain is usually at it's worst in the first 24 - 72 hours after surgery. It then gradually settles over the next 4–5 days, although some patients may take longer to feel fully comfortable.
Pain is best controlled by taking regular medication and preventing pain rather than attempting to reduce pain.
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Your surgeon will provide a pain-relief plan based on your medical history - this is in your post-operative pack you receive after surgery.
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If you have medical conditions or take regular medications, discuss any potential drug interactions with your surgeon before taking analgesics.
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Swelling is a variable part of the post-operative recovery. You may experience swelling and bruising around your mouth and cheeks. Expect swelling to increase for the first 48 hours, then gradually improve over the next 2–3 days. You can help minimise swelling and bruising by using icepacks to the area on Day 1 (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off while awake).
It is normal to experience light oozing from extraction sites for 1–2 days. To control bleeding:
Place a firm rolled gauze pad directly over the bleeding socket.
Bite down firmly for 20–30 minutes without releasing pressure.
Remove the gauze before going to sleep.
If bleeding continues, repeat for another 20–30 minutes.
Contact your surgeon if:
Bleeding remains heavy after 2–3 attempts.
You are unable to control the bleeding at home.
Bruising is commonly seen around the angle of the jaw.
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It may appear 2–3 days after the procedure.
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Bruising typically takes 1–2 weeks to fade.
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Your jaw may feel tight and difficult to open widely for several days. This can make eating and brushing your teeth more challenging.
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Begin gentle jaw-opening exercises after 2–3 days, unless your surgeon advises otherwise.
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The stiffness will gradually improve over the first week.
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To reduce the risk of infection, you must:
A) Brush your teeth gently from Day 1.
B) Use Savacol or similar antiseptic mouthwash twice daily starting from Day 2. Saltwater is also an option (ratio: 1 glass warm water to 1 tsp salt).
C) Take all prescribed antibiotics exactly as directed.
D) Do NOT smoke. Smoking significantly increases the risk of infection and dry socket.
E) For wisdom teeth surgery - use the supplied syringe from 7 days onwards.
F) Avoid using straws for 2 weeks.
Signs of infection include:
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Fever above 38°C.
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Pus discharge, foul taste, or unpleasant smell.
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Increasing pain after Day 4–5.
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Flu-like symptoms.
If you notice any of these, contact us promptly.
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You should follow a soft diet for the first week. Choose foods with the consistency of mashed potatoes, noodles, and soft vegetables. Avoid hot food for 24 hours following surgery.
Adequate nutrition is essential for healing. Aim to consume 3 litres of blended or soft foods daily, equivalent to 5–6 medium meals.
Best Consistency - most people prefer a thick fluid or smooth purée early on, as it is easier to swallow and more soothing.
Soft / blended diet options - ready-to-drink or soft foods, milk, flavoured milk, milkshakes, smoothies, yoghurt Up & Go, Yoplait breakfast drinks, buttermilk, ice cream, custard, fruit or vegetable juices, soups.
Food Supplements (excellent for healing) - Sustagen (liquid or powder), Ensure, Fortisip, Resource.
Blended Foods - Almost any food can be blended, including meat and vegetables. Blend with a small amount of milk (often smoother than blending with water) and season to taste.
Some patients find the teeth next to the extraction sites become sensitive. This is a result of the bruising of the bone around theses teeth and can take up to 6 weeks to resolve.
Your may feel quite nauseous after 48 hours of codeine. If you start to feel like vomiting on Day 2 or Day 3 after your surgery, avoid any further Codeine (Panadeine Forte) for 12-24 hours. Use the Panadol / Ibuprofen combination instead.
Numbness of the lip/cheek can last several hours (up to 24) from the local anaesthetic. This helps reduce the amount of pain medicine you may need immediately after surgery.
Wear your retainers again after 48 hours.
During business hours - call our rooms on (02) 6282 3848.
After hours - your surgeon can be contacted through The Canberra Hospital switchboard – (02) 5124 0000.
Emergency - if you have a genuine medical emergency, call 000 or present to The Canberra Hospital Emergency Department.