Most types of oral surgery do not require clinic or hospital confinement. Nevertheless, being able to go home afterwards, and possibly resume work within a few days does not excuse a patient from following doctor's orders for fast recovery. Moreover, a patientâs health cannot be jeopardized, as they are still in a vulnerable state in the first few days after the surgery.
Hence, every patient recovering after oral surgery must keep the following do's and don'ts in mind:
1. Adhere to the schedule when taking a painkiller. You have to avoid the pain, not relieve it. Ask for prescription painkillers when over-the-counter drugs no longer work. It is not normal for the pain to increase in intensity after a few days. Aspirin and other blood-thinning drugs should be avoided, though, as they can induce bleeding by preventing blood clotting.
2. Get adequate bed rest if you have a history of bleeding, or delayed blood clotting (i.e. wounds that do not stop bleegin within a day). Be sure to keep your head raised by lying down on a pillow to avoid bleeding.
3. Use an ice pack to relieve swelling by applying it over the affected area for 15 minutes. Let it rest for another 15 minutes before applying the ice again, and repeat the cycle until the swelling subsides.
4. Maintain a soft food-only diet until two days later. Your mouth and face should not be forced into chewing as the operated area is still tender. Soups, smoothies, milkshakes, and mashed vegetables are recommended. Vitamin A and C supplementations are also recommended to aid in fast recovery.
5. Rinse your mouth with warm water and salt after every meal, including snacks, 24 hours after the surgery. Your dentist may advise you to avoid any kind of cleaning within the first 24 hours. Ask your oral surgeon in DC about chlorhexidine if your surgery requires you to rest for more than three days.
1. Avoid lifting heavy objects and doing strenuous activities for three days, as exerting force can induce bleeding and aggravate pain.
2. Do not consume hot, frozen, or spicy foods or beverages as the numbing in your mouth and face may prevent you from reacting should you unknowingly take in too much. There are also cases when such foods cause cheek and tongue biting in patients recovering after oral surgery.
3. Avoid eating crunchy, hard, and sticky foods for two months after the surgery. The biting and chewing force in your mouth may cause bleeding and reopening of wounds.
4. Avoid smoking and alcohol drinking for the rest of the day as these can interfere with the healing process. Smoking in particular can stop blood clotting in the gums due to the sucking motion.
5. Avoid applying pressure on the operated area, either by hand or with other surfaces, such as your bed or pillow when you are lying down.