Steps Toward Healthy Oral Surgery Recovery

Oral surgery is necessary for the placement of dental implants or even extraction of wisdom or infected teeth. Teeth may be impacted or trapped within the jaw bone, which damages neighboring teeth. Through surgery, however, there is an opportunity to remove and assess these problems.

After surgery, it is normal for the treatment site to be sore or tender for the first few days. However, over-the-counter pain medication, or pain medication that was specifically prescribed for your procedure, can relieve any discomfort you feel.

At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery, we ensure the highest level of comfort possible during procedures and provide advice on post-surgery oral care.

Here are suggestions for ensuring a healthy and speedy recovery following your oral surgery:

Rinse Frequently:

Keeping the blood clot in place is critical to ensuring successful recovery following teeth extraction. If the clot becomes dislodged, the bone and nerves are exposed, increasing pain. Exposure also leaves these tissues vulnerable to dry socket. To prevent this post-surgery infection, rinse your mouth as recommended by your oral surgeon and avoid touching the treated area.

Ice Regularly:

Post-treatment swelling can be extremely uncomfortable. To help alleviate some of the pain, be sure to apply ice packs at 15 minute intervals. Elevating the head and neck above the heart can also help reduce discomfort during recovery.

Stay Clean:

While patients should avoid brushing or floss teeth near the surgical area, that doesn’t exempt them from maintaining oral hygiene during the recovery. To ensure treated areas remain clean, remember to rinse gently using lukewarm salt water, especially after meals. When given the all clear by your surgeon to resume a normal hygiene routine, be gentle on your smile.

Watch Your Diet

Hot, crunchy, or hard foods can prolong the healing process, preventing patients from enjoying a speedy recovery. Until your smile heals, be sure to follow a well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins A and C.

 While these tips are common sense, make sure you follow them ensure optimum recovery time without any complications.Depending on the type of surgery you are recovering from, you may also receive additional instructions. Be sure to follow these directives closely and keep all post-treatment appointments to ensure proper healing. 

If there are any complications after surgery, whether or not they occur because of the above information, contact our office immediately. 

Contact us for more information!

Oral surgeon Snehal Dr. Patel, of Lorton, VA and Springfield, VA, and our medical staff are committed to providing care before, during, and after surgery. If you have any questions about healthy recovery steps after oral surgery, contact Lorton-Springfield Dental Implant & Oral Surgery.