A period of oral surgery recovery is part of any dental procedure involving anything from simple tooth extraction to dental implants or facial reconstruction. Whether simple or complicated, any surgery triggers a healing period. Following oral surgery, dental providers will offer several tips to make a recovery smoother and to ensure proper healing and results.
Tips to enhance oral surgery recovery
One of the primary concerns of patients facing oral surgery is pain during and after. However, some topical or injected anesthetic or numbing agent is offered during any oral surgery procedure. Following post-operative instructions is also important in the healing and recovery process. Adhering to the following tips and following your doctor’s recommendations as closely as possible can reduce discomfort and hasten to heal.
#1: Follow your dental provider’s pain relief guidelines following oral surgery. Ice packs may be advised. Usually, 10 to 15 minutes of ice and then off, repeating as recommended. Over-the-counter pain medication might also be suggested. In complex procedures, a brief period of prescription analgesics may be offered. If pain medications have been offered and recommended by the dentist, follow instructions and take medicine as recommended. Doing so can prevent pain and discomfort from building up, which makes it more difficult to treat.
#2: Pay attention to your dental provider’s instructions regarding diet. Following any oral surgery, it is recommended that only soft foods or liquids be consumed, at least within the first couple of days following surgery. It may seem common sense, but resist crunchy, hard, or difficult-to-chew foods. Recommended diet instructions may extend as much as 4 to 6 weeks beyond your surgery date.
#3: Keep the mouth clean, but follow instructions carefully regarding rinsing, gargling, or brushing your teeth, especially within the first 24 hours of any oral surgical procedure. A warm salt water concoction not only provides relief and aids healing but is effective in removing larger particles of food from the mouth. Your dental provider may have also provided you with mouth rinses, but following instructions regarding use is important.
#4: Avoid vigorous exercise following any oral surgery procedure. While you may not think it’s a big deal to do a workout after a tooth extraction, a deep scaling, and periodontal cleaning, or amid dental implant procedures. Give your body a break. Whether painful or not, an area of your body has been traumatized and invaded. Your body will be working hard to aid in healing processes to help you recover.
#5: Resist smoking for at least 24 hours during the oral surgery recovery. Smoking immediately after any anesthetic can trigger negative reactions, including nausea and vomiting, and irritation to the surgical area.
Dental professionals provide patients with clear instructions before any surgical procedure, no matter how minor. Oral surgery recovery occurs faster when instructions are followed.
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