After you undergo oral surgery, aftercare is vital to the healing process. Whether you had a single tooth extracted or you just got dental implant surgery, your mouth needs time to heal.
Here’s how to properly care for your mouth after your appointment.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
No one is more qualified to give you advice than your oral surgeon. Depending on how extensive your surgery was, your surgeon may advise you to avoid brushing your teeth for a few days.
Oral surgeons often advise patients to rinse gently with salt water to clear food debris away and prevent infection.
Recovery periods can last for days to weeks, so you should ask your surgeon how long you need to concentrate on aftercare.
Get Plenty of Rest Following Oral Surgery
If your surgery involves anesthesia or a sedative, you will need someone to drive you home after your appointment.
You should also take it easy at home to allow your mouth to heal. Strenuous exercise such as heavy lifting, running, or jumping should be avoided for at least a few days following your surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s recommendation for how long you should rest before returning to work or your exercise routine.
Stick to Soft Foods
When your mouth is tender after oral surgery, you will be unable to eat tough or crunchy foods for 6-8 weeks. Hard foods could irritate or worsen the surgical area of your mouth if you eat them too soon following your procedure.
Consuming soft foods instead will allow your mouth to heal. Safe foods include:
- Mashed potatoes
- Pasta
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Soup
Healthy soft foods will be gentle on your mouth and give your body the nutrients it needs to heal quickly.
Avoid Suction After Oral Surgery
To heal, the area in your mouth where you had surgery needs time to clot. Drinking through a straw or swishing water in your mouth when rinsing can interrupt the clotting process.
It is best to avoid actions including sucking on a straw, swishing water in your mouth, and spitting for at least a few days following your surgery.
Conclusion
When you are recovering from oral surgery, erring on the side of caution is your best course of action. If you are unsure about what you should or shouldn’t do after your procedure, ask your surgeon for advice.
Do you need a qualified oral surgeon in LA? Get in touch with our team at Jackson Oral Surgery today to book an appointment.
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