Things to Do and Refrain from after Oral Surgery

Oral surgeries are performed by dentists and oral surgeons in outpatient settings, not requiring you to remain in the hospital or dental office overnight. Depending on the anesthesia used during your surgical procedure, you might even be allowed to drive yourself home.

If the dentist near you allowed you to return home after your surgical procedure, it doesn’t mean you can skimp on your recovery. The oral surgeon performing the procedure provides after-care instructions to follow to ensure a quick recovery. You must follow the specialist’s instructions to the word to prevent complications. Below is a list of the things you can do and must refrain from after undergoing oral surgery.

Recollect Your Initial Consult with the Surgeon

During your initial consultation with the surgeon, the professional would have provided before oral surgery instructions to prevent any competition if you required potent anesthesia for your procedure. Your oral Surgeon knows best how you can recover from your surgical procedure requesting you to adhere to the instructions as suggested.

List of Things to Do and Refrain from after Oral Surgery

These are the things you are permitted to do after any oral surgical procedure because

• Get Rest on the Day of Your Surgery:Oral surgeries might seem minor or insignificant. However, the procedure can cause complications if you jump into your regular activities immediately after receiving dental treatments. Therefore it is essential that you get rest for at least 48 hours to allow your body to recover and, most importantly, permit the blood clot in your mouth to remain in the surgical site. Dislodging the blood clot makes you susceptible to a dry socket to require additional treatments from the nearby dentist and incredible pain. You must also prop your head on extra pillows to keep your head elevated because it helps reduce excessive swelling and prevent bleeding.
• Ice Packs Help with Swelling:You can use ice packs on your cheeks immediately after oral surgery. However, oral surgeons recommend not to place the packs on your cheeks for prolonged periods of more than 15 minutes because they can potentially create tissue damage.
• Take Any Medications Prescribed Diligently:Your Surgeon prescribes medication or recommends over-the-counter varieties to help manage the discomfort after the surgical procedure. Do not skip a dose even if you think you feel comfortable. Instead, you might be worsening the pain or aggravating it to hit you with even more severity.
• Have Soft Foods:Surgical procedures in your mouth will not allow you to eat crunchy and hard foods immediately after returning home from the dentist’s office. Therefore it would help if you prepare yourself to have soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, and puddings after your procedure for at least a week. You might not like the soft food diet but must exist on them until you have recovered.
• Cleaning Your Mouth:your oral Surgeon recommends not rinsing your mouth during the initial 24 hours after the surgery. However, they ask you to rinse your mouth with salt water the day after the surgery to remove food particles from your mouth. You must use the rinse three to four times every day to ensure a clean mouth.

Things to Refrain from after Oral Surgery

• Do Not Exert Yourself:After your surgery, the time is not suitable for you to show off your physical prowess trying to exercise with swelling in your mouth. Therefore you must avoid strenuous activities like running, lifting heavy objects, or other activities.
• Refrain from Having Scorching and Freezing Foods or Drinks:until your mouth remains numb, do not consume any scorching or freezing foods because you might inadvertently burn your mouth or injure the soft tissues by biting on them.
• Stay Away from Crunchy and Hard Foods:Avoid chewing on crunchy and hard foods from near the surgical site for the initial 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery.
• No Smoking or Alcohol for 24-Hours before and after the Surgery:your Surgeon recommends that you refrain from consuming alcohol 24 hours before the surgery and refrain from the habit 24 hours after the procedure. They also refrain from smoking after your surgery because the practice hampers your recovery. Alcohol interferes with the pain medications recommended by the Surgeon to create unnecessary complications.

Town Square Dental performs numerous surgical procedures in the mouth and provides patients with a comprehensive list of instructions to help them recover without complications. If you need to undergo any surgical procedure in the mouth, kindly contact this facility for your surgery.