What Should Be Taken Care of After Oral Surgery?
There are different reasons why you may need oral surgery. Oral surgery includes tooth extraction, tooth implants, wisdom teeth removal, or any surgical procedure a dentist performs around your mouth and jaw.
After oral surgery, you may feel slight discomfort, swollen jaw, or bleeding. However, this discomfort should relieve you in a few days, especially if you follow your dentist’s aftercare tips.
What should you take care of after oral surgery? This article discusses aftercare tips that can speed up your recovery process post oral surgery. Kindly read on for more information.
When Is Oral Surgery Necessary?
Oral surgery is necessary for fixing problems with the teeth, jaw, and gums. Dental conditions that require oral surgery include tooth decay, gum disease, missing teeth, root canal, and jaw misalignment.
Why Are Aftercare Instructions After an Oral Surgery Important?
After oral surgery, you’ll need to recover within a time frame. Dentists in Gilbert, AZ, give postoperative instructions to make your recovery faster and prevent complications, including infections, after the surgery. Furthermore, following aftercare instructions can improve the success rate of an oral procedure..
Common Oral Surgery Aftercare Instructions
Don’t Brush or Floss
After oral surgery, you mustn’t brush or floss close to the surgery site. Brushing and flossing can disturb the blood clot that needs to form, causing bleeding. You should only resume brushing when a dentist near you gives the go-ahead and ensure you brush gently when you are allowed to do so.
Eat Soft Foods
After surgery, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and eat soft foods like yogurt. Consuming other foods, especially hard or spicy foods, can irritate the surgery site, delaying recovery. Also, avoid eating hard or crunchy foods for a few weeks after your oral surgery.
Rest After Your Surgery
Your body needs enough rest to recover. When laying down, it is best to prop your head with pillows to reduce facial swelling and bleeding and improve blood flow to your head.
Apply Ice to Swollen Regions
Your face and jaw may swell after oral surgery. You can apply ice to swollen regions throughout the day. However, it is best to alternate the use of ice 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
Taking Your Medications
Dentists in Gilbert, AZ, will prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics after oral surgery. Ensure you use your medications as instructed, even if you don’t feel pain and discomfort. It is advisable not to skip a dose even if you have to take it in the middle of the night.
Avoid Hot or Cold Foods
Taking hot or cold foods when you still feel numb after oral surgery can burn your mouth and compound your discomfort.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking within 24 hours of oral surgery can affect the healing process. It is advisable to quit smoking for an improved oral health.
Avoid Alcohol
It is best to avoid alcohol within the first 24 hours of oral surgery. Alcohol not only interferes with the healing process, but it can also affect any medications you are taking while recovering.
Follow Your Post Oral Surgery Instructions
Your dentist will give you the best advice to best recover post-surgery. Following the instructions to the letter can speed up your recovery and prevent infection of the surgery site.
Conclusion
After oral surgery, you will feel discomfort, pain, and swelling. Fortunately, a dentist near you will give you instructions that will speed up your recovery. It is best to follow the instructions to optimize your healing period and prevent complications.
At Town Square Dental, you can get your safe oral surgery, especially tooth implants and root canal procedures. Experienced dentists are always available to talk to you and recommend a suitable treatment plan for your oral health problems.