Advice For Healing After Oral Surgery
The umbrella oral surgery covers an array of operations
, from wisdom teeth removal to dental implants and beyond. Healing after oral surgery requires specific considerations, including the maintenance of gentle oral hygiene and adherence to a certain diet. There are several other do's and don'ts of recovery depending on the type of surgery you receive, but the following basic guidelines will give you a solid foundation for proper, prompt healing after an oral operation.
DOexpect some amount of pain and swelling. As with any operation, the body will respond to trauma by sending pain signals to the brain, swelling and trying to counteract the injury. Depending on your operation, your surgeon will prescribe an appropriate regimen of management medications. It's advisable to refrain from taking Aspirin or other pain killers that encourage the blood to thin.
DOutilize other methods of pain control, aside from medication. Keep the head elevated following oral surgery to reduce the amount of swelling. This will also keep the blood from flowing to the injury site and reduce the risk of headaches. Use ice, cold compresses and compression garments, as well.
Your doctor may recommend a transition from cold to alternating cold and warm after the initial period of recovery.
DON'Tsmoke. Smoking causes the constriction of blood vessels and slows the healing process. More importantly, with open wounds - like those associated with wisdom teeth removal - smoking increases your chances of infection. Dry socket, a painful condition that some people experience after the removal of wisdom teeth or other extraction, is linked to smoking.
DOexpect to control bleeding during the first few hours or days after operation. Slight bleeding is natural, so don't be alarmed. Gauze compression and elevation are usually all that is required to slow and stop bleeding after oral surgery.
DON'Ttry to drink through a straw, rinse or wash the mouth with any solution or spit for at least 24 to 48 hours following your surgery. You want to allow the blood to clot naturally, and the unnatural conditions these activities cause can inhibit this.
Another remedy often recommended to control bleeding is a tea bag. Wet a tea bag and place it so that you can bite down, providing pressure to the site of injury.
Bleeding should stop within the first day, but discharge may continue for a few days. If you notice excessive oozing or it doesn't subside within the timeframe your surgeon outlines, schedule a follow-up visit - you may require additional packing of the wound to promote optimal healing.
DON'Tresume your regular diet. For at least 24 hours following your operation, typically more for comfort's sake, you must stick to liquids and very soft foods. Mashed potatoes, pudding, gelatin, ice cream, applesauce, lukewarm broth - these are all suitable during the initial period of healing.
Also, stay hydrated. Water, tea and electrolyte-packed drinks will help you do this.
After you feel comfortable, you can move to solid foods. Do avoid particularly salty or abrasive things, however, such as potato chips, pretzels, popcorn or anything prone to drying out the gums and lodging in open sockets.
DOpay attention to your sinuses. The sinus passages and the further extremities of the mouth are connected, and occasionally, problems can occur. If you experience nasal and sinus difficulties following oral surgery, follow the same recovery guidelines with two important additions: extend each step (for example, avoid smoking and eating solid foods for twice as long) and refrain from blowing your nose for up to two weeks.
Most doctors will recommend a follow-up visit if the sinus becomes too affected during the recovery process following oral surgery.
What's most important to your healing is your surgeon's post-operative instructions. Because each patient and each surgery will be different, it's important to follow his or her rules without fail to ensure fast, sound recovery.
by: Drew Barton
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