We gently recontoured excess bone (tori/exostoses) to improve comfort, hygiene access, speech, and to allow a better fit for dentures/partials or other planned care.

Your procedure used precise instruments with constant irrigation, soft-tissue protection, and smooth finishing for a refined result. This helps minimize sore spots and supports faster, cleaner healing.

Numbness lasts ~2–6 hours. Protect your lip/cheek/tongue from accidental biting and avoid hot liquids until feeling returns.

Mild oozing is common the first day. Firm pressure with gauze for 30–45 minutes controls it. A tea bag (moistened) can help if bleeding persists.

Swelling & stiffness typically peak at 48–72 hours and then improve daily.

Soreness at the incision and along the jaw/cheeks is normal.

Sutures may be dissolvable or be removed at your follow-up (we’ll tell you which).

If you received a surgical stent or immediate prosthesis, follow the wear schedule we provided (see below).

Pain control (only use what your provider approved)

• First-line (if you can take NSAIDs):

• Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours as needed (with food). Max 2,400 mg/day.

• You may combine or alternate with Acetaminophen 500 mg every 6 hours as needed. Max 3,000 mg/day total acetaminophen (account for combo cold/pain meds).

• If you cannot take NSAIDs: use Acetaminophen alone (dosing above).

• Avoid aspirin the first few days (can increase bleeding).

• Antibiotic or rinse (if prescribed): take exactly as directed and finish the course. Call for rash, hives, breathing issues, or severe diarrhea.

• Steroid / anti-inflammatory (if prescribed): take on schedule; it helps swelling and comfort.

• Nausea prevention: light meals and meds with food; small sips of clear fluids.

While numb: avoid chewing on the surgical side(s) and avoid hot drinks.

Diet: start with a soft, cool-to-warm diet (yogurt, eggs, smoothies without seeds, mashed foods). Avoid hard, sharp, spicy, very hot, or seedy foods for 3–5 days (longer for palatal sites).

No straws, no spitting, no smoking/vaping for 72 hours (negative pressure/heat can trigger bleeding and delay healing).

Rinsing: after 24 hours, gentle warm salt-water rinses (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4×/day. If we prescribed a rinse (e.g., chlorhexidine), use as directed. Do not swish vigorously.

Brushing: brush other areas the same night; do not brush the surgical site until we say it’s safe. Keep the tongue away from the site.

Ice & heat:

First 24 hours: ice 10–15 minutes on / 10–15 off while awake.

After 24–48 hours: switch to warm compresses to ease stiffness.

Head elevation: sleep with 1–2 extra pillows for 2–3 nights to reduce swelling.

Activity: easy walking is fine; avoid strenuous exercise, bending, or heavy lifting for 72 hours (or as advised).

Surgical stent or immediate denture: wear as directed (often continuous for the first 24 hours, removing only if we instructed) to control swelling and protect the site.

When removing, rinse gently, clean the stent/prosthesis with a soft brush, and replace exactly as instructed.

Do not let a prosthesis rub the site—call for adjustments if you feel pressure, sore spots, or rubbing.

Mandibular lingual tori: watch the floor of mouth. If swelling lifts the tongue or you notice rapid pooling of blood or firmness under the tongue, call us immediately (see red flags).

Palatal torus: the palate can feel tight or “sunburned.” Keep foods cool-to-warm and avoid chips/crusts until fully comfortable.

Buccal exostoses: cheeks may feel fuller or bruised—this settles as swelling resolves.

Red-flag symptoms — call us or go to urgent care/ER

Heavy bleeding that doesn’t slow after 45–60 minutes of firm gauze pressure.

Rapidly increasing swelling, fever ≥ 100.4°F (38°C), foul taste/drainage, or worsening pain after day 3.

Floor-of-mouth swelling, difficulty swallowing/breathing, or tongue lifting due to swelling—this is urgent: go to the ER or call 911.

Persistent numbness/tingling of the lip, chin, cheek, or tongue beyond 24–48 hours, or new weakness/asymmetry.

Medication reactions: rash, hives, wheezing, lip/tongue swelling—ER/911.

Follow-up visits: keep your suture check/adjustment appointment (often 1–2 weeks).

Hygiene tune-up: once cleared, we’ll show you the best way to clean around the area to prevent new sore spots.

Prosthesis fit: if you’re getting a new denture/partial, the reduced bone contour will help us deliver a more stable, comfortable fit—expect a refined try-in process.

Lifestyle matters: avoiding nicotine, managing clenching/grinding, and excellent home care will protect your result.

▶ What are “tori,” and why remove them?

Tori are benign bony growths (common on the palate or tongue-side of the lower jaw). We remove them when they rub/ulcerate, trap food, affect speech, or interfere with dentures/partials, implants, or hygiene.

▶ How sore/swollen will I be—and for how long?

Expect soreness and swelling that peaks at 48–72 hours, then improves over a week. Mild bruising or jaw stiffness (trismus) is common for a few days.

▶ When can I go back to work or school?

Most patients resume light activities the next day; plan 2–3 days before strenuous work/exercise. If your job is physical, give it 3–5 days.

▶ What can I eat?

First 48 hours: soft, cool-to-warm foods (yogurt, eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies with a spoon). Avoid hot, spicy, acidic, crunchy, or seedy foods. Advance as comfortable after day 2.

▶ Can I use a straw or spit to clear my mouth?

Avoid straws and forceful spitting for 48–72 hours—negative pressure can disturb the blood clot/flap.

▶ How do I keep the area clean?

Brush other areas tonight; avoid the surgical site. After 24 hours, start gentle warm salt-water rinses (½ tsp salt in a cup of warm water) 3–4×/day. If we prescribed chlorhexidine, use it exactly as directed. Do not direct a water flosser at the site for 7–10 days.

▶ My stitches are coming loose—is that normal?

Yes. Resorbable sutures often loosen/fall out around 5–10 days. If the wound opens, bleeds persistently, or feels sharp, call us.

▶ I feel a rough or sharp spot—did something break?

Tiny bone spicules/sequestra can surface as tissue heals; many smooth on their own or are easily polished out at a follow-up. Call if it persists or irritates your tongue.

▶ Can tori grow back?

True regrowth is uncommon but possible, especially with clenching/grinding or persistent local trauma. Wearing a nightguard (if you brux) and good soft-tissue health help reduce risk.

▶ Numbness or tingling—should I worry?

Temporary tingling of the tongue or lower lip/chin (lingual/mental nerve irritation) can happen, especially with mandibular lingual tori. It typically improves over days to weeks. Call us if it’s worsening, one-sided only, or persists beyond 24–48 hours; we’ll monitor. Sudden floor-of-mouth swelling or trouble breathing/swallowing is an emergency—call 911.

▶ What about bleeding?

Light pink saliva is normal for 24 hours. If bleeding resumes, place firm gauze pressure for 30–45 minutes without checking (a moist tea bag also helps). Call if it remains brisk after two pressure cycles.

▶ How do I control swelling and pain?

• Ice to the face 10–15 min on/10–15 min off for the first 24 hours.

• Sleep with head elevated the first night.

• Use your prescribed/approved NSAID/acetaminophen plan; avoid aspirin for 24–48 hours unless your physician requires it.

▶ I wear a denture/partial/aligners—when can I use them?

Only as directed and adjusted by us. Appliances must not press on the surgical site; pressure can cause breakdown or graft/membrane issues. Expect a few relief adjustments as you heal.

▶ Bad breath/white or yellow film—infected?

Not necessarily. Early healing tissue and/or collagen dressing can look white/yellow. Watch for fever, foul drainage, rapidly increasing pain or swelling—those need a call.

▶ When will the tissue look normal again?

Gums typically close in 2–3 weeks; deeper remodeling and full comfort often take 4–8 weeks. Any residual lumpiness usually smooths with time.

▶ Can I smoke or vape?

Please avoid for at least 72 hours (longer is better). Nicotine increases pain, delays healing, and raises complication risks.

We’re here for you. If you’re unsure about anything—call us. If you ever experience trouble breathing, rapidly spreading swelling, or difficulty swallowing, call 911 or go to the ER.

How to reach us

Prime Emergency Dental

(425) 864-7600