4 Tips for Recovering from Oral Surgery
After any surgery, your number one priority is to get better and return to normal life. This can be especially true after oral surgery when proper healing is vital to eating, drinking, speaking, and many other aspects of everyday life. For a speedy and successful recovery period, here are four tips for recovering from oral surgery.
Rest Up
The most important thing to do after a procedure is to give yourself time to rest. To let your body heal and recover, avoid exerting yourself or doing anything that will cause stress to the surgical sites. When you lay down, keep your head elevated to reduce excessive bleeding and swelling.
Take Care of the Surgical Site
You might experience some bleeding for the first day after surgery, but this is normal. Place a folded piece of gauze over the site and bite down on it to stay the blood flow. Throughout your recovery, it’s important to avoid food and drink that will reopen the wound. Don’t use straws and stay away from alcohol or carbonated beverages. Stick to soft foods that are neither too hot or too cold. Yogurt, applesauce, and mashed potatoes are all good options to avoid excessive chewing and irritation of the wounded area.
Follow Doctor’s Instructions
It’s important to pay attention to any instructions your surgeon gives you. Take pain medications as prescribed, stick to a food list if you receive one, and attend all follow-up appointments. You should also follow the care instructions they give you. You will likely need to avoid mouthwash or brushing your teeth around the surgical site to keep from hurting it. However, your surgeon might tell you to start rinsing your mouth with a saltwater solution after a full day of recovery. Follow all these instructions to help your mouth heal faster.
Reduce Swelling
One of the biggest tips for recovering from oral surgery is to keep the swelling in check. Swelling or bruising around the surgical site is normal, but it can be uncomfortable. You can ease the discomfort by applying ice to your jaw in intervals. Your surgeon may also prescribe a face compression garment to help improve blood flow and give you a more comfortable recovery.
