Procedures as varied as tooth extraction and jaw surgery fall under “oral surgery.” Immediately following surgery, you will experience a great sense of relief with the right dental care in Plymouth. You will also feel quite sleepy.
You have your postoperative care plan in order. Your home is equipped with soft snacks and your prescribed medication. You were also given a ride home and some housework assistance. You are prepared to take that first step toward recovery.
After oral surgery -Tips
Here are some suggestions to help you regain your feet after oral surgery.
- Getting rid of pain and discomfort
Both local and general anesthesia are viable options for oral surgery. IV sedation can also be used for this procedure. A patient will be disoriented and unable to drive themselves home from the hospital in the immediate aftermath of surgery. The benefit is that the affected person will feel no pain for a time.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will prescribe post-operative pain medication. The patient should take a dose of these pain relievers before the anesthesia wears off. This allows the patient to have prolonged numbness following surgery.
- Bleeding gums
It is usual for there to be some bleeding after oral surgery. Before leaving the dentist’s office, patients will be requested to bite down on a piece of gauze. Once the gauze is soaked with blood, the dentist will instruct them to change it.
Thankfully, the bleeding should stop within the next day at the latest. If it has been any longer, a trip to the dentist is warranted.
- Good diet
Patients should eat only lukewarm or cold, semisolid meals. The individual should not use straws when eating or drinking. Blood clots that form to seal a wound are easily dislodged by the suction of a straw, leading to more bleeding.
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake in the days following surgery can help patients recover more quickly.
- Periodontal care
After oral surgery, a patient should follow the dentist’s instructions for cleaning their mouth. The dentist may instruct the patient to rinse with salt water for 48 hours and refrain from brushing and flossing the area around the surgical site. Alternatively, they may instruct the patient to wash their teeth lightly while avoiding the area around the surgical site. The patient’s adherence to the dentist’s orders is crucial.
- Take adequate rest
After surgery, the patient needs to rest for at least three days. Keep their head raised as they sleep to reduce the risk of further injury and bleeding. They should also avoid bending or jumping for the same reason, as doing so could reopen the incision.
