Oral surgery is a pop in of surgery performed on the mouth, teeth, gums, and jaw.
Sometimes, multiple teeth are removed, or a missing tooth is replaced (called adental implant procedure).
For every oral surgery, there is a period of recovery.
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That said, for more severe cases, your surgeon may prescribe an opioid for breakthrough pain.
The Healing Process
Postoperative instructions for oral surgery are often outlined using a day-by-day approach.
Below is the typical healing process for a surgical tooth extraction.
You also will likely be told to not drive, especially if you underwentgeneral anesthesiaor were given a sedative.
Bleeding
With a tooth extraction, slight bleeding is normal for up to 24 hours after surgery.
To prevent choking, it’s important to not fall asleep with gauze in your mouth.
Swelling
Swelling is a normal response to undergoing oral surgery.
Icing also helps reduce swelling and inflammation.
Less commonly, your stitches will need to be removed by your oral surgeon.
Seven to 10 Days
By post-operative day seven to 10, swelling is usually completely gone.
Besides swelling, stiffness in the muscles of the face should also ease up at this point.
That said, you may see slight bruising, especially if the surgery involved your lowerwisdom teeth.
Sometimes, an antibiotic is prescribed after oral surgery to help prevent infection.
Be sure to take your antibiotic as prescribed.
If you are experiencing any side effects from the antibiotic, like contact your surgeon.
Two Weeks
Most oral surgeons will recommend a two-week follow-up appointment.
Be sure to not skip this appointment, even if you are feeling fine.
This will naturally help keep the surgical site clean and aid in the healing process.
Instead of spitting out the warm salt water, allow it to simply fall out of your mouth.
to get to prepare your saline solution, place one tablespoon of salt in one cup of warm water.
Do not swallow the saline solution.
Repeat rinsing as necessary throughout the day.
You should avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting, as this can increase bleeding.
The pressure from the syringe can dislodge any food particles from the site.
Suction may dislodge the blood clot that is keeping the wound closed in your mouth.
This usually starts with taking a step back from life, resting, and focusing on your recovery.
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