Oral Sedation Post-Op

Post-Op Instructions After Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is a great way to make dental treatment more comfortable, but the effects of the medication can hang around for several hours after your appointment. Please follow the steps below to stay safe and give your body the chance to recover smoothly.

Plan to Rest

Take the rest of the day off and keep things low-key. Sedative medication can leave you feeling groggy or off-balance for a while, so skip any strenuous activity, do not drive, and stay away from operating machinery until you are completely back to feeling like yourself.

Have Someone with You

You should have a responsible adult drive you home and stick around for at least the first few hours after your procedure. Even if you feel okay, your reaction time and judgment can still be affected, so having someone close by is important.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Sip on water and other clear liquids throughout the day to stay hydrated. Skip the straw, since the suction can disturb any areas that are still healing in your mouth.

Easing Back Into Eating

Start with soft, easy-to-chew foods like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or scrambled eggs. Hold off on anything hot until the numbness has fully worn off, since it is easy to burn your mouth without realizing it. As you start feeling better, you can ease back into your regular diet.

Taking Your Medications

If we sent you home with prescription pain medication or antibiotics, follow the instructions exactly as given. For milder discomfort, an over-the-counter pain reliever taken according to the label is usually plenty. If you were prescribed antibiotics, finish the entire course even if you start feeling better partway through.

Rinsing and Cleaning

Skip rinsing your mouth on the day of your procedure. Starting the next day, gentle warm salt water rinses after meals (½ teaspoon of salt stirred into a cup of warm water) will help keep things clean. When you brush and floss the rest of your teeth, just be gentle around the treatment area.

Keep Your Follow-Up Visits

Make sure to come in for any check-ins we have scheduled so we can keep an eye on your healing. In the meantime, watch for signs like heavy bleeding, sharp pain, swelling that keeps getting worse, or anything that feels like an infection. If something seems off, give our office a call right away.

Easing Back Into Your Routine

Take it slow as you return to your normal pace. Skip bending, heavy lifting, and any kind of workout until we have given you the okay to resume those activities.

No Smoking or Alcohol

Hold off on smoking for at least 24 hours, since it can really set back your healing. Alcohol should also be avoided while you are taking pain medication or sedatives, as the combination can be unsafe.

A calm day of rest and a few simple precautions will go a long way toward making sure you bounce back comfortably. If anything feels wrong or you have questions along the way, the team at Perfect Smile Dental Care is just a phone call away.