If you find yourself facing oral surgery, you might be concerned about taking care of the site post-surgery. Whether you had oral surgery for placement of dental implants or for tooth extraction, such as wisdom teeth, there are a number of tips you can follow to ensure your post-oral surgery care promotes healing.
If you are facing oral surgery in Chesterfield, MO, you should take the following steps toward a good recovery.
What to Do After Oral Surgery
In most cases, if you follow instructions, you will heal quickly and without complication. Follow these instructions:
- Immediately after the procedure, prop your head with pillows when lying down to keep swelling and bleeding at bay.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers to take care of any tenderness or discomfort.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling.
- If your doctor has suggested pain killers, take them as prescribed to stay ahead of the pain.
- Take antibiotics, as prescribed.
- Stick to liquids and soft foods when you are able to eat again.
What Not to Do After Oral Surgery
Avoid doing any of the following to help promote healing:
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours after oral surgery as it can delay the healing process.
- Don’t smoke; you risk dislodging the blood clots that are forming at the surgery site—called dry socket—because of the sucking motion.
- Avoid drinking through a straw for the same reason: to avoid dry socket.
- Don’t brush or floss teeth at the surgical site until your dentist gives the okay.
- Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for at least a few days.
- Don’t take aspirin for pain relief; it is a blood thinner and might cause bleeding.
Call the Chesterfield Dental Valley Dental for Post-Surgery Instructions
Contact Chesterfield Valley Dental if you are facing oral surgery in Chesterfield, MO. We can talk about the procedure as well as post-surgery care.