Care of your mouth after surgery has an important effect on healing. Swelling, discomfort, and restricted jaw function are expected and should not cause alarm. These may be minimized by following the post-op instructions.
At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we share the healthcare community’s concern about the potential abuse of opioid pain medications following surgery. Our approach to post-surgical pain management is conservative. Patients are encouraged to manage pain with over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen as the first line of defense. Some patients may require prescription pain medications due to the nature of their surgical procedure and they will receive a clinically appropriate, yet limited, prescription for an opioid.
