Necessary Precautions to Take after Oral Surgery

After undergoing an oral surgical procedure, you will want to care for your mouth to ensure a speedy and quick recovery. Whether you had your wisdom teeth removed, had dental implants placed, or had any other maxillofacial surgery, there are several ways to ease pain and avoid infections.

Oral surgical procedures require you to care for your mouth as your dentist instructs. This article provides some tips on the precautions you must take after oral surgery. Kindly read on what to avoid after oral surgery.

• Take It Easy : after you return home from your appointment, consider taking it easy for the rest of the day by resting. If you received sedatives during the procedure, you would likely remain drowsy. Therefore you must refrain from considering operating vehicles or indulging in activities that require concentration. It would help if you also avoid strenuous activities after undergoing oral surgery in Salem, MA. Instead, you must refrain from bending or trying to objects that might dislodge the blood clot to cause bleeding. In addition, consider using extra pillows to elevate your head when sleeping. 
• Following Instructions : Your dentist might instruct you to refrain from brushing or using mouthwash because your mouth remains sensitive for regular oral hygiene. Instead, they might suggest not brushing the surgical site but cleaning the rest of your mouth as usual. Instead of mouthwash, dentists recommend using saltwater rinses with half a teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water. You must follow the directions of your dentist to keep your mouth clean of food particles to prevent infections. 
• Icing to Alleviate Discomfort : You might explain swelling and bruising in your cheeks after dental oral surgery, which is familiar. Therefore, during the initial 24 hours, you can intermittently apply an ice pack to your jaw at 15-minute intervals to alleviate the swelling. For example, if you had surgery on both sides of your jaw, move the ice pack to both sides after every 15 minutes. The swelling should subside within 72 hours. However, if you notice the swelling worsening or you have a fever or pus, you might have an infection that requires immediate attention from the dentist or oral surgeon. 
• Block The Bleeding : You will experience bleeding from the surgical site during the initial 24 hours. You can help slow the bleeding by biting on a piece of gauze, but if it continues and is excessive for over 24 hours, making you change the gauze, often contact your dentist or oral surgeon for help. 
• Safeguard The Clot : You must try not to disturb the blood clot in the surgical site. The blood clot is essential for the mouth in your mouth to heal. Therefore you should refrain from using straws, drinking alcoholic or carbonated beverages, and smoking for at least 72 hours after your surgery. In addition, do not try to spit vigorously for fear of dislodging the blood clot. 
• Watch Your Foods : after oral surgery, you will find soft and cool foods better. You can consider yogurt, applesauce, and instant oatmeal as suitable options. However, it would help if you refrained from having scalding, cold, chewy, complex, and spicy foods. 
• Take Your Pain Medications : after oral surgery, the dentist recommends you take pain medication to manage the discomfort. They might provide a prescription for the medicines or recommend over-the-counter painkillers. The pain you experience after the surgery should subside within 48 hours. If your dentist suggests, antibiotics ensure you complete the entire course without skipping doses. 

Besides the above, you must watch out for infections, fever, breathing, and swallowing challenges lasting over 48 hours. You may also have allergic reactions to the anesthesia you received. In such cases, contact your dentist immediately when you observe any complications.

Oral surgical procedures require you to follow up with your dentist and oral surgeon to ensure you are healing well. Follow your dentist’s instructions to the word to avoid complications leaving you with additional discomfort and needing more treatments from your dentist.

Oral surgical procedures are generally safe when performed by experienced dentists. However, complications can occur if you do not follow the postoperative instructions you receive. Therefore we suggest you take these precautions after oral surgery to ensure a speedy recovery without complications.

Mass Bay Dental performs many dental and maxillofacial surgical procedures on patients visiting them. If you need oral surgery, consult them for advice and receive the treatment but follow the preventive measures suggested in this article for quick and easy recovery.