HOW LONG IS ORAL SURGERY RECOVERY?

If you have recently had oral surgery or are preparing to have oral surgery in mobile you should be focused on recovery. Proper recovery is very important for healing and having a shorter recovery time. Your dentist will give you complete post surgery instructions. Here are some general guidelines to follow in order to heal as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What to do about Bleeding

Bleeding after oral surgery is normal, especially after a tooth extraction. This is especially true for the first 24 hours after surgery. The best thing that you can do is use the gauze that your dentist gave you following surgery. You should keep biting down on it for the first hour (unless told otherwise by your dentist). When the time comes to remove the gauze, do so gently. If the gauze is stuck, sip a little water to loosen it up. When removing gauze, it is important to be as gentle as possible so as not to cause the wound to bleed. Once the gauze has been removed, you may notice a little bleeding. If the bleeding is heavy or does not stop, contact your dentist.

What to do about Swelling

Swelling is common with many types of surgeries. The swelling will typically go away within a week with proper care. The best thing that you can do for swelling is to make sure that your head is elevated. For the first 24 hours you can use an ice pack on the outside of your face to help with the swelling. Stiffness and bruising are also common with some types of surgeries. This can last up to a week. If you have swelling or stiffness for longer than ten days or if your swelling gets worse during that time, contact your dentist.

What to do about Pain

Pain is common during your oral surgery recovery. The amount of pain will depend on the invasiveness and extent of the surgery. Your dentist will prescribe you a pain management plan depending on the surgery. It is important to follow the dentist’s guidelines for pain management. If you have been prescribed an antibiotic, make sure to take the dosage until completion. Always check with your dentist prior to using any over the counter medications to make sure that it doesn’t interact with the prescribed medications.

What to do about Oral Hygiene

You should avoid vigorous brushing and rinsing for at least 24 hours after surgery. You run the risk of irritating the surgery site during this time. Your dentist will give you specific guidelines for when to begin brushing. Once you do begin, be gentle, especially around the surgery site. After 24 hours, rinsing with a salt water or saline solution can help with recovery as well.

Other Consideration for Oral Surgery Recovery

You should plan on resting for 2-3 days following oral surgery. Typically normal activity can be resumed after 48 hours.

You should avoid smoking and tobacco use for at least 24 hours after surgery. Smoking can cause delays in healing and increase the possibility of infection.

More on Oral Surgery :  Oral Surgery Frequently Asked Questions