Oral surgery can address a variety of injuries, abnormalities, and diseases that affect your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Oral surgery recovery might take several days, but there are actions you can take that will accelerate the process. For more information on oral surgery in Huntington Beach, consult a professional today.
Here are some pointers to help you heal faster.
- Take it easy
Plan to spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your appointment. You will be sleepy if they give you a sedative. Thus, you should avoid driving or doing anything else that demands focus. Avoiding intense activity is also crucial. Avoid bending or lifting anything that might dislodge blood clots and cause bleeding. Add extra pillows to elevate your head when you are ready to sleep.
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Because your mouth may be too sensitive for normal oral hygiene, the surgeon may advise you not to brush or use mouthwash. They might also instruct you not to brush the sore area but the rest of your teeth regularly. They may advise you to rinse with salt water, which consists of a 1/2 teaspoon of table salt combined in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. To avoid illness, follow the guidelines and keep the area clean of food scraps.
- Ice the area
Your face may swell or develop bruising. This is normal. Apply ice on your jaw for 30 minutes, remove it for 15 minutes, and repeat for the first 24 hours. If you have surgery on both sides of your mouth, use a single ice pack to switch from side to side. Apply ice for 15 minutes before moving it. After 2 or 3 days, the swelling should go down. It might be infected if it worsens, you get a fever, or you discover pus. Contact your doctor or oral surgeon as soon as possible.
- Block the blood
You may experience some bleeding during the first day or so following surgery. Bite gently on folded gauze for a few seconds to help halt the flow. Call your dentist or oral surgeon if the bleeding lasts longer than 24 hours or is so heavy that the gauze needs to be changed more often.
- Guard the clot
You do not want to interfere with the blood clot. It is attempting to repair your mouth’s wounds. So, for at least three days following your surgery, avoid using a straw, drinking alcoholic or fizzy beverages, or smoking. Also, try not to spit too much.
