An oral surgery procedure will be a significant step towards better dental health but the recovery process is equally essential as the procedure itself. Post-operative care after a tooth extraction, wisdom teeth extraction, or corrective jaw surgery is important to ensure that no complications occur and optimal healing takes place. Here at Balhoff Orthodontics, we hope that your healing process will be as smooth and effective as it could; you can feel as comfortable as possible. By following the appropriate measures, you can also facilitate quick recovery and resume your regular routine with minimum pain.

1. First 24 hours -Protect the Blood Clot

The initial day following an oral surgery is essential in order to recover well. During the wound healing process, a clot is created to cover a wound at the place of the operation as a shield over the bone and nerves. When this kind of clot is dislodged, the condition of dry socket may appear, causing pain and slowing down the healing process, possibly necessitating further treatment.

2. Treat Swelling and Discomfort

After oral surgery, swelling and  slight discomfort are expected, but they can be minimized by taking the necessary measures. An ice pack on the external surface of your cheek (20-minute sessions) in the initial 24-48 hours prevents swelling. Once this time is over a warm compress can be used to stimulate circulation and can help with the discomfort.

Most cases of pain can adequately be addressed by the use of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, but in case your dental practitioner/oral surgeon prescribes medication then make sure you adhere to such medication.

3. Only follow a Soft-Food Diet

The food you consume after undergoing oral surgery contributes a lot to your healing process. Take only soft food and something that you chew easily, and the food should not bother the surgical site. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies (with a spoon, not a straw) and warm soups are good. Eat nothing harsh, crunchy, spicy, or acidic that might upset the healing site and cause pain. Avoid nuts, seeds, chips, and citrus fruits until your orthodontist approves them to be taken back in. 

4. Use the Gentle Oral Hygiene

You need to maintain a clean mouth after the surgery to avoid infection, although care needs to be taken and you need not alter the healing process. For 24 hours, you should not even rinse your mouth. Then you may rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) two or three times each day at least after eating.

Clean your teeth normally, and leave the area around where the surgery was performed for the initial days. As the healing process continues, you may rinse the place with a very soft brush with bristles. Use alcohol-free mouthwashes, which do not annoy the wound.

5. Restrict or Limit the amount of Physical Activity

Vigorous exercise has the potential to raise blood circulation to the operative region causing swelling, bleeding, or even slow healing. Minimize strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, vigorous workouts, and bending over every now and then up to 48-72 hours. Walking is okay; things that increase your heart rate drastically should be avoided.

6. Look at the Signs of Complications

Most oral surgeries do heal after the recovery normally, but there are signs that are indicative of a possible problem and should not be ignored. Call to Balhoff Orthodontics or your oral surgeon at once when you have:

• Uncontrolled bleeding that cannot be reduced even after several hours
• Increasing pain that is bad after the third day
• Evidence of infections like fever, pus.and bad smell in your mouth
• Continued numbness for more than 48 hours
• Small problems may be addressed before turning into major complications through early intervention.

7. Follow up Appointments

Your oral surgeon or orthodontist can have a follow-up visit to review your progress in healing. Such appointments are essential to provide assurance that everything is going in the right direction particularly when you have braces or Invisalign which may require modifications after the surgery.

In case anything worries you in between the visits, feel free to contact us at Balhoff Orthodontics. Staying in contact with your dental care team is the key to the optimal result.

The Path to Recovery and Confidence Starts Here

Oral surgery recovery does not have to be an experience where one is stressed. With the help of these seven precautions, you will be able to ensure a quicker recovery and reduce discomfort by taking care of the blood clot, working with swelling, eating the proper foods, light oral care, activity restriction, consideration of complications, and going to follow-ups.

At Balhoff Orthodontics, we want to help you with all your steps. Schedule a free consultation with our team today to receive personalized recovery support and expert orthodontic care. The smile should be taken care of!