As an oral surgeon, part of Dr. Evan Georgieff’s job is to make sure that you’re fully aware of and comfortable with every stage of the procedure. On this page, you’ll find some of the most frequently asked questions that tend to be on a patient’s mind when they’re due to undergo a tooth extraction, a jaw correction, or another form of oral surgery. You can also get in touch with us if you have any inquiries of your own.

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IS IT ALL RIGHT IF STITCHES COME OUT THE SAME DAY AS THE SURGERY?

If stitches were used to close a surgical site, they can occasionally fall out later that day. Most of the time, this doesn’t present a problem; the stitches were only placed in the first place to control the initial bleeding and encourage the formation of a protective blood clot (which is especially important if you had a wisdom tooth removed). However, there are certain circumstances – such as a bone-grafting procedure – where stitches coming out prematurely could end up affecting the body’s ability to heal properly over the long term. If you have any doubts, call our office so that Dr. Evan Georgieff can decide whether you need an appointment.

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WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT?

Generally speaking, it’s best to stick with cool, soft foods for at least a few days after surgery. Applesauce and cottage cheese are often good choices. Hot foods should be avoided on the first day since they can disrupt the blood clot, and you should stay away from hard foods that can be broken into little pieces and become trapped at the surgical site. Dental implants will let you eat anything once they’ve integrated with the jaw, but you’ll typically need to stick to soft foods for at least the first six weeks.

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WHAT IF MEDICATION ISN’T HELPING MY PAIN AFTER WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?

If you didn’t receive a prescription, your best option is to use ibuprofen and Tylenol every six hours. Alternatively, you could take the ibuprofen, then take the Tylenol three hours later; this gives you the most control over your pain. Be sure to talk to us before beginning such a regimen. You may need an alternative form of treatment if you suffer from kidney problems or liver disease.

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I HAVE A DRY SOCKET?

When a blood clot breaks down too early, the result is a condition called dry socket. You’ll notice increased pain around the surgical site as well as a bad taste in your mouth. We can treat this condition by washing out the socket and placing a medication dressing; however, we’ll need to act quickly before the healing process is significantly interrupted.

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WHAT IF I’M STILL BLEEDING THE MORNING AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

It’s normally not a problem if bleeding continues for a little while after a tooth extraction or certain other surgeries. If anything, it’s a sign that blood is flowing well, which is important for healing. You should be able to keep the bleeding under control through proper use of gauze. You should call our office immediately if blood starts filling your mouth and you find yourself unable to control the flow.

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IS IT NORMAL TO FEEL NAUSEOUS IF SEDATION WAS USED?

While it doesn’t always occur, nausea is a possible side effect of IV sedation. The best way to treat it is to be gentle on your stomach. Be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated for several hours before attempting to eat something soft.