Following oral surgery, a priority of any patient is a quick and comfortable recovery. Patients naturally want to know what to do to recover fast. Healing depends on the type of surgery and the patient. However, steps can be taken to help it happen more quickly.
To heal soon, the goal should be to prevent infection and minimize the swelling, pain and bleeding. To that end, there are simple steps you can take to accomplish this.
Plan on spending the next 48 hours resting after the surgery. Use some extra pillows to keep the head elevated when laying down or at bedtime. Avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting as they can precipitate bleeding by causing blood flow to increase and the blood clots to dislodge.
When bleeding occurs after oral surgery, bite down on gauze with firm pressure for about an hour. Remove the gauze gently to prevent bleeding from reoccurring. It may be necessary to moisten the gauze by taking a sip of water before pulling it away from the tissue. Biting on a moistened tea bag for 30 minutes may also help as the tannic acid in the tea has been shown to help with clotting.
After surgery, swelling can be minimized by pressing an ice pack against the cheek for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off while awake. If surgery was done on both sides of the face, use the same pack alternating from side to side every 15 minutes.
Immediately after the surgery, rely on soft foods, soups, puddings, gelatins and liquids and avoid solid foods. Do not suck on a straw when drinking liquids. This helps prevent the blood clots from getting dislodged and causing bleeding.
Depending on the type of surgery, pain medications may be prescribed. Follow the directions for the medications carefully. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them as directed to prevent infection. If asked to stop taking certain prescribed medications before the surgery, ask the dentist how soon to restart them after the surgery, especially if taking blood thinners.
Brushing and flossing should be done gently while avoiding vigorous rinsing or spitting. Rinse lightly with water, allowing the water to fall out of the mouth on its own. After 24 hours, a warm saltwater solution may be used after every meal and snack to keep the surgical area clean.
After an extraction, do not attempt to remove food particles that fall onto the tooth socket with a toothpick or similar objects. Rinse gently with water until the particles dislodge from the site.
Wait at least 24 hours after the surgery to smoke a cigarette and do not chew tobacco until the healing is complete. Tobacco can delay healing and cause infection.
Having to undergo oral surgery is not an experience most look forward to. However, taking the necessary steps to prevent infections and minimize discomfort can hasten recovery.
Are you considering oral surgery in the Dallas area? Get more information at https://www.highlandsdentaldallas.com.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A dental crown can save a tooth that is in danger of extraction. Dental crowns serve a dual purpose. They reinforce the tooth structure and improve the appearance of the smile at the same time. This means that a dentist could recommend a crown as a treatment for tooth decay or injury. A cosmetic dentist…
While dentists strive to save natural teeth whenever possible, certain situations may require tooth extractions to preserve oral health. When severe damage, decay, infection, or other oral health issues threaten the health of your smile, an extraction can save it. It is important patients recognize the signs of trouble and seek treatment promptly.Extensive tooth decay…
Dental crowns are often costly and require that a dentist remove a significant amount of the tooth's structure to place them. Read on to learn about dental crown alternatives. Other treatment alternatives are sometimes available that are either less expensive or significantly less invasive. Dental crowns are frequently used to restore severely damaged teeth.The following…
Dental crowns are dental restorations that cover teeth entirely for added protection, improved function, and cosmetic purposes. Dental crowns are versatile treatment solutions, and there are many reasons that a dentist may recommend this treatment for patients.The most common reasons that dentists recommend a dental crown are to protect a tooth that is weakened or…