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Some patients bounce back quickly after oral surgery. Others feel queasy for hours, or even start vomiting.
This blog explains why nausea happens, how to minimize it, and when to call your oral surgeon if symptoms escalate.
We offer sedation dentistry at our locations in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe and Show Low.
Table of Contents
- Common Causes Of Nausea After Oral Surgery
- Risk Factors For Severe Nausea
- What You Can Do To Prevent Nausea
- When To Call Your Oral Surgeon
- Schedule A Visit With Our Oral Surgeon
Mild nausea after oral surgery is common, especially with stronger pain medications or deeper sedation. Eating small meals, staying hydrated, and following your surgeon’s instructions can help prevent discomfort. If nausea is severe or lasts more than 24 hours, contact your oral surgeon for guidance.
Common Causes Of Nausea After Oral Surgery
Nausea is a common side effect in the first 24 hours after surgery. Several factors may trigger it:
- General anesthesia or IV sedation: These medications can upset your stomach or affect the brain’s balance center.
- Pain medications: Narcotics like hydrocodone or oxycodone often cause nausea, especially if taken on an empty stomach.
- Swallowed blood: Even small amounts of blood from the surgical site can irritate your stomach lining and lead to queasiness or vomiting. Thus, use gauze pressure to control bleeding.
- Postoperative dehydration: If you are not drinking enough water, nausea and dizziness are more likely.
How Sedation Type Affects Your Risk
The sedation method used during your procedure plays a role in how likely you are to feel nauseous afterward.
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): This mild sedation helps you relax and typically causes little to no nausea.
- Oral sedatives (such as Halcion): These medications provide deeper relaxation but can occasionally lead to an upset stomach.
- IV sedation or general anesthesia: Deeper sedation is often recommended for more complex procedures, like wisdom teeth removal. However, it may carry a higher chance of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Your oral surgeon will recommend the safest sedation option based on your health history and the complexity of your surgery. If you are prone to motion sickness or have felt sick after anesthesia in the past, be sure to share this information so preventive measures can be taken.
Risk Factors For Severe Nausea
Some patients have a stronger reaction than others. You may be at higher risk if you have:
- A history of motion sickness or nausea from anesthesia
- A low tolerance for opioid pain medications
- Prolonged exposure to anesthesia or complex tooth extraction
- Underlying medical conditions like migraines or GERD
Let your oral surgeon know if you have reacted badly to anesthesia or pain meds before. This helps shape a safer treatment plan.
What You Can Do To Prevent Nausea
Start with prevention before oral surgery even begins.
- Ask for anti-nausea medication: Drugs like ondansetron (Zofran) or promethazine (Phenergan) can be given before or after surgery to reduce nausea.
- Avoid taking pain meds on an empty stomach: Try eating soft foods like applesauce or mashed potatoes first. Even a few saltine crackers help maintain oral health and reduce irritation.
- Consider starting with non-narcotic pain relief: Prescription opioids such as hydrocodone or oxycodone are more likely to cause nausea and vomiting. Many patients find that ibuprofen and acetaminophen provide good pain control with fewer side effects. Talk to your surgeon about whether this approach is right for you.
- Stay hydrated: Sip small amounts of cool water or electrolyte drinks. Ginger ale may also help calm your stomach. Avoid gulping.
- Elevate your head: Lying flat may worsen nausea. Prop yourself up at a 45-degree angle while resting to protect the surgical site.
- Avoid strong odors and rapid movements: Keep the room ventilated and calm during recovery.
- Choose appropriate sedation when possible: If you have a history of nausea, your surgeon may recommend lighter sedation methods, or administer anti-nausea medications in advance to minimize risk.
Home Remedies That May Help
If you are nauseous, here are a few things you can try to find relief.
- Sip ginger tea, peppermint tea or spearmint tea
- Use a cold compress on your forehead or neck
- Take slow, deep breaths through your nose
- Stick to a soft food diet until your stomach settles and the surgical area heals
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is also an effective anti-nausea medication, ask your surgeon if it may be useful for you
If you feel nauseous, try eating small amounts of bland, soft foods—such as applesauce, pudding, or a few crackers—especially before taking any pain medication. If you cannot tolerate even small bites or are vomiting repeatedly, focus on staying hydrated and contact your oral surgeon for further guidance.
When To Call Your Oral Surgeon
Mild nausea is expected. Severe or persistent symptoms are not. Call your oral surgeon right away if:
- You vomit repeatedly and cannot keep fluids down
- Your nausea lasts more than 24 hours
- You notice signs of infection like fever, swelling, or increased discomfort around the surgical area
- You feel dizzy, weak, or faint when standing
Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration, poor healing, or dislodged blood clots. This increases your risk of dry socket, especially after a wisdom tooth extraction.
Schedule A Visit With Our Oral Surgeon
At AZ Max, we tailor every care plan to help you stay comfortable and informed. After your procedure, we will follow up with you the same evening to check on your recovery and answer any questions.
If you are scheduled for oral surgery, our team is here to answer your questions, explain what to expect during recovery, and help you feel confident about your care.
To schedule a consultation at one of our 5 locations, call (480) 830-5866 or complete the online inquiry form. We have locations in Mesa, North Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe or Show Low.
