Recovery Tips for Oral Surgery

You return home after oral surgery and settle in on the couch — numb smile, ice pack in hand — only to wonder, “Now what?” To ensure a smooth healing process, it’s crucial to follow the recovery tips provided by your dentist or surgeon. 

In today’s blog post, let’s explore some simple ways to help you recover from oral surgery.

First, know that you will have to take it easy. Plan to spend the remainder of your surgery day resting. If you had a sedative, you may feel drowsy, so be sure to arrange for a loved one to drive you home and take care of any needed errands or chores. When you lie down, use an extra pillow to keep your head elevated. Be sure to avoid strenuous activity that may dislodge the blood clot and cause excessive bleeding. 

It can be normal to have some bleeding for the first day or so following surgery. You can carefully bite down on folded gauze if needed. If the bleeding continues beyond 24 hours or is so heavy that you need to repeatedly change the gauze, call your dentist or oral surgeon immediately.

To help ease the pain, you should take over-the-counter or prescription medication. You can also apply ice to your jaw. Try to hold it there for 30 minutes, remove it for 15 minutes, and then repeat. If you had surgery on both sides of your mouth, switch the ice pack from side to side. Swelling or bruising should lessen after two or three days. However, if you have a fever or notice pus, you may have an infection and should reach out for help right away.

Of course, you should follow any instructions from your dentist or surgeon, too. If your mouth is too sore for your regular dental care routine, they may tell you not to brush your teeth or use mouthwash. Additionally, they may suggest that you rinse with salt water (1/2 teaspoon of table salt in an eight-ounce glass of warm water).

Did you know that your nutrition also influences your healing after oral surgery?

After all, your body requires extra nutrients to recover. Plus, what you eat helps to fight against post-surgery infections. Specifically after oral surgery, it’s important to focus on a semi-solid or liquid diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals for at least a few days. You also want to increase your hydration efforts, especially if you’re taking medications that cause dry mouth. 

Here are a few ideas for your oral surgery recovery diet:

• Mashed potatoes: Not only are they soft and easy to consume, but you can add butter for extra calories and flavor.
• Yogurt: This snack is rich in probiotics, promoting quick healing and boosting your immunity.
• Smoothies: You can make homemade smoothies with frozen fruit and protein powder. You can even add spinach, yogurt, and/or nut butter for additional vitamins and minerals.
• Soups and broths: These options are a great way to hydrate your body with a nutrient-filled liquid.
• Avocados
• Soft cheese
• Applesauce
• Instant oatmeal

Depending on your recovery, you can transition back to your normal diet after five to seven days.

Start with easy foods like scrambled eggs, soft-cooked pastas, steamed vegetables, and ground meat. You may still want to avoid foods that are too hot, too cold, tough, chewy, or spicy. If possible, chew away from where you had surgery and take small bites. If it feels difficult at first, be patient! Healing varies from person to person. 

We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental needs!

 

Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.