Oral Surgery Complications: What You Need to Know Before and After

When you undergo oral surgery, a medical procedure involving the mouth, jaw, or teeth, often performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Also known as dental surgery, it includes everything from wisdom tooth removal to jaw realignment and dental implant placement. Most people recover fine, but complications happen—and knowing what to watch for can save you from pain, extra visits, and longer healing times.

Dry socket, a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site dissolves or dislodges is the most common issue after tooth removal. It doesn’t just hurt—it feels like a deep, throbbing ache that spreads to your ear or eye. It happens in about 2-5% of cases, but jumps to 20-30% with wisdom teeth extractions, especially in smokers or people on birth control. Then there’s nerve damage, a rare but serious risk when cutting near the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves. That can cause numbness or tingling in your lip, chin, or tongue that lasts weeks, months, or sometimes permanently. And infection, often from bacteria entering the wound, shows up as swelling, pus, fever, or a bad taste that won’t go away. These aren’t just scary words—they’re real outcomes you can reduce with smart prep and aftercare.

What you do before surgery matters. If you smoke, stop at least 48 hours before. If you’re on blood thinners, talk to your doctor and surgeon. After surgery, skip straws, don’t rinse hard for 24 hours, and eat soft foods. Ice packs help. Painkillers work better if you take them before the numbness wears off. And if you feel sudden, sharp pain after a few days—especially if the site looks empty—that’s not normal. That’s dry socket. Call your surgeon. Don’t wait.

The posts below give you real stories, practical tips, and clear advice on what to expect. Whether you’re preparing for a tooth extraction, worried about recovery, or trying to understand why your jaw still feels off weeks later, you’ll find answers here. No fluff. Just what works.