Once you return home from oral surgery, you will want to take delicate care of your healing mouth. By following these tips you will be on your way to a speedy, healthy and less painful oral surgery recovery!
During your recovery, you will want to make sure a blood clot forms over the surgical site, and your stitches are not disrupted. If a blood clot becomes dislodged and you cannot get the bleeding to stop, seek medical attention immediately.
Pain Control Medication
After your oral surgery, your surgeon may prescribe painkillers or advise you to take over the counter medications, such as ibuprofen. Be sure to start taking this medicine as soon as the surgeon says it is safe. Do not wait until the pain sets in. Be sure to avoid aspirin-based painkillers since aspirin will thin your blood and make it more difficult for a blood clot to form.
Reduce the Swelling
If you have had oral surgery to remove your wisdom teeth, you will most likely experience a good amount of swelling. You may also experience bruising on the outside of your cheeks. When you return home on the day of your surgery, have ice packs ready to hold on the outside of your face, over your cheeks. Apply the cold compress for 15 minutes, then allow your face to rest for 15 minutes. Continue to use the cold pack on the swollen areas in 15 minute increments until bedtime.
Control the Bleeding
When you leave the surgeons office, you will have gauze pads in your mouth covering the surgery site. This gauze will absorb blood and saliva. The gauze pads will need to be replaced with clean water-dampened gauze pads periodically (every 30 minutes to an hour) on your first day home from surgery.
Keep the Mouth Clean
To promote healing, you will want to keep your mouth clean and free of food debris and bacteria. Your oral surgeon may prescribe a special mouth rinse (rinse, not spit!), tell you to swish with warm salt water 24 hours after surgery and after each meal or to wipe your teeth down with a moist gauze pad to keep your mouth clean.
Remember not to swish vigorously, or to spit. You do not want to disturb the blood clot(s) or the stitches in your mouth. Be gentle and take your time cleaning out your mouth.
Even after three to four days, when you feel like you can brush your teeth normally again, be careful not to brush over the surgery site. Using a soft baby toothbrush is also recommended since your mouth may still be tender.
What Not to Do
After your surgery, you will still feel numbness in your mouth and face. Be sure not to bite your cheek or touch the surgery site with your tongue.
Avoid hot or spicy foods and acidic drinks (including soda and alcohol), and smoking during your oral surgery recovery.
Do not use a straw to eat, or attempt to spit. Both movements can disrupt your oral stitches.
Pain from your oral surgery should lessen in a few days. Complete healing of the oral tissue will take three to four weeks, and bone can take up to six moths for a full recovery. If you experience an increase in pain two to three days after your oral surgery, seek medical attention.
