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After Oral Surgery: 4 Tips for a Comfortable Recovery

In Oral Surgery November 17, 2021

As with any surgical procedure, aftercare is crucial to promote healing and prevent complications following oral surgery. Whether you’ve had a tooth extraction or you’re getting a bone graft to prepare for dental implants, it’s essential to take proper measures to ensure a successful recovery. Below are a few tips to help you experience a comfortable recovery after oral surgery.

1. Get Plenty of Rest

One of the most critical actions to take after oral surgery is resting. Take time off from your daily routine and avoid strenuous activities for at least two days. During this time, ensure you get plenty of sleep.

Resting after oral surgery gives your body time to repair itself. Also, by avoiding strenuous activities, you avoid disrupting the surgical site. When sleeping, keep your head elevated at an angle to lessen pressure on the surgical areas. Doing so reduces pain and minimizes swelling.

2. Take Your Medications

After your surgery, your dentist may prescribe medications to support your recovery, such as pain relievers and antibiotics. Take your medications according to your dentist’s instructions to ensure you recover comfortably and avoid complications. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it is important to finish your prescribed dose even if you feel better after a few days.

Additionally, watch out for adverse side effects, such as swelling around the surgical area. Always inform your doctor about any unpleasant reactions to medications, and always consult with them about potential interactions if you plan to take over-the-counter medications.

3. Limit Your Diet

It is crucial to plan and monitor your diet after oral surgery. You need nutritious food to build up your immunity and quicken your recovery. However, eating the wrong foods can aggravate your surgical site and prolong your recovery. After oral surgery, avoid hot foods and drinks and opt for colder foods that are soothing to sore tissue. Most importantly, stick to soft food and liquids that do not require chewing.

Be sure to avoid using straws when drinking beverages after oral surgery. The suction can exert pressure on the surgical site and dislodge blood clots necessary for healing. Some foods to include in your post-surgery diet include yogurt, oatmeal, applesauce, smoothies, and broth.

4. Maintain Your Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing your teeth may be uncomfortable right after oral surgery, and you should avoid doing so during the first 24 hours following your procedure. However, oral hygiene is necessary to prevent infections and safeguard your oral health. If you cannot brush your teeth, you can rinse your mouth with salty water at least four times a day to keep your mouth clean.

As you continue to heal, you can brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush while avoiding the surgical site. Your dentist will give you detailed instructions on maintaining oral hygiene after surgery with minimal discomfort.

Conclusion

When recovering from oral surgery, the most important tip is to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions and attend follow-up appointments as advised. Doing so will help your dentist track your healing process, prevent complications, and facilitate a comfortable recovery.

The post After Oral Surgery: 4 Tips for a Comfortable Recovery first appeared on Dental Signal.

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Testimonials

Dr. Wetzel is an absolutely incredible gem of a dental surgeon. In every manner of incredible he and his lovely assistant deserves major props.

I am or was a big chicken of the procedure, but based on a small Asian jaw, awful bite and one horizontally impacted wisdom tooth that was causing bone loss, and another slanted and also impacted I had to do something. Due to difficulty taking time off work I got 7 teeth taken out for braces, bite and health. I was terrified to be honest but the office is beautiful, a great place to drool all over yourself ( more on that later) and the pain is minimal considering 2 impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to manage.

I only remember talking to him and joking with him when all of a sudden my memory lapsed and I woke up feeling no pain and they were almost done. I was in disbelief but I remembered hearing about that. There is super slight soreness now 12 hours post op but it actually is better than the soreness from braces! Isn't that crazy? Lastly as someone who only had dentists aged 55 and older I can tell you don't worry. His youthful appearance belies his ability and incredible expertise. :)

Oh and a Warning! You will drool everywhere and I wish I bought a towel for that. Lol. In any case definitely come see him. The drive is worth his ability and he and his assistant is honest, intelligent, kind and super duper skilled!
Tracy is also super kind and the entire staff is great!

I will trust him not only for my first surgery but every one thereafter!

Miss W.

Great periodontist. Very professional and competent. Prices are reasonable compared to similar services elsewhere. Reception staff and nurses are very kind and takes time to explain everything and address all concerns. I highly recommend this office.

Sara G.

Dr. Wetzel is a real professional as well as a likeable person. You don't always get that in an oral surgeon. LOL. His staff is super friendly and you really feel that the whole office cares about your well being. Also, Dr. Wetzel instills me with confidence. I trust him with any procedure. So far I have had a bone graft, an extraction, and a large gum graft. I am looking toward to two dental implants and another gum graft and bone graft. You can tell he is really focused on the task at hand when he is doing a procedure and he takes surgery to the level of an art. Clearly, he has the experience and skills to improvise when he runs into snafus. I had a question about my pain after my last surgery and called his after-hours emergency number, and he called me back within 2 minutes. You can't ask for more than that. Also, if you have Delta Dental, then Tracy will lay out your whole plan for all of your work and tell you how much is covered by Delta and how much you will have left to pay. No surprises. Plus, Dr. Wetzel's new office is super cool. The design is tres chic;) I wish he did regular dentistry too.

Dr. Felicia D.