Post-Operative Recovery Guide for Oral Health From an Oral Surgeon

Some patients require undergoing a surgical procedure from an oral surgeon or cosmetic dentist. This can be the case if the tooth damage is too severe to treat via LANAP, which uses PerioLase, or other traditional treatments. After the oral surgery, recovery is the patient's next primary concern. Depending on the type of surgery, the oral surgeon will provide instructions regarding healing and recovery. It is important to follow the post-operative recovery guide to prevent complications and maintain oral health.

Post-op recovery guide

The following are guidelines from an oral surgeon on postoperative recovery:

Handling bleeding after tooth removal

Slight bleeding after tooth removal is normal and may occur for up to 24 hours after the operation. Patients are expected to bite down firmly on the gauze placed over the area for about an hour. They must be gentle when removing the gauze or moisten the gauze if it is stuck to the tissue. This is to prevent bleeding reoccurrence.

If bleeding continues around the surgical area for more than three days, a visit to the surgeon might be necessary. The dentist might also suggest pressing a moist black tea bag on the area. The tea contains tannic acid, which helps minimize bleeding and aid clotting.

Swelling

Swelling is a common side effect of many oral surgeries. Patients can use pillows to keep their head elevated. Applying an ice pack on the cheek around the site for the first 24 hours after surgery also helps. Swelling usually disappears within seven to 10 days after the operation.

Muscle stiffness is normal and may continue for about 10 days after surgery. Slight bruising may also occur, usually if the surgery is on a lower wisdom tooth. Patients need to contact their dentist if the swelling does not reduce after a week.

Pain medications

The level of pain after oral surgery varies, depending on the procedure and the patient’s pain threshold. The dentist will prescribe any important pain reliever. Patients must follow the dentist’s instructions and ask questions before buying pain medications over the counter. If they get a prescription for antibiotics, they must be used according to instructions to prevent infection.

Rest and recovery

It is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity for at least two to three days after surgery to rest. Most people can resume their daily routine after 48 hours. Rest aids the body’s healing ability.

Oral hygiene

Patients must avoid spitting and rinsing vigorously for at least 24 hours. Brush gently and be careful when flossing. Water, not mouthwash, should be used when rinsing the mouth. After 24 hours, they can use a saltwater solution to clean the mouth. This will keep the operation site clean and aid healing. After undergoing a tooth extraction, patients must avoid disturbing the site or poking the tooth sockets. Light rinsing will remove food particles from the area.

Smoking should be avoided for at least 24 hours after the procedure. It delays healing and may cause a dry socket.

In conclusion

The oral surgeon provides post-operative instructions to patients to ensure painless healing and recovery. You need to follow these instructions and ask questions. If complications occur, contact the dentist as soon as possible. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.