What to Expect from Oral Surgery Recovery

When you come to our practice for NYC oral surgery, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll help you achieve the very best results by guiding you each step of the way. One of the most common things people wonder about when electing for oral surgery is how to recover smoothly and easily, minimizing pain and avoiding risk of infection. Oral surgeon Dr. Mahjoubi offers these ten must-know tips for a smooth post-op recovery.

10 Must-Know Tips For a Smooth Recovery After Oral Surgery

1. Don’t disturb the wound. Skip rinsing, spitting, and touching your mouth for the first 24 hours after your surgery. You want to be sure not to contaminate or irritate the surgical site.

2. Take your prescribed antibiotics. Taking these on schedule as prescribed will help protect you from infection. 

3. Use your oral rinse. If you’ve also been prescribed an oral rinse, you can start this 24 hours after surgery. Use it twice a day, rinsing with warm salt water an additional 4 to 5 times each day, particularly after eating.

4. Light bleeding is normal. During the first 24 hours, you will likely notice some blood in your saliva. Gently biting down on the gauze pad can help decrease any bleeding. Repeat as needed throughout that first day.

5. Use over-the-counter pain medication. We recommend you start over-the-counter pain medication right after your surgery, before the anesthetic wears off. This will help to keep you comfortable while you heal.

6. Start with soft foods. Eat soft foods until it feels comfortable to do otherwise. Depending on the type of oral surgery you have, the doctor may recommend a specific time period to maintain soft foods before returning to more vigorous chewing.

7. Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help ensure your smoothest, speediest recovery.

8. Maintain oral hygiene. Your antibiotic and salt water rinses will go a long way, but you will also want to keep up with teeth brushing. Just be sure not to brush any sutures, or your new dental implant if that is the kind of oral surgery you received.

9. Some swelling is normal. You can help to minimize swelling by keeping your head elevated, minimizing physical activity, and using ice packs — especially in the first 48 hours after your oral surgery. Apply ice packs continually during that period, or as often as possible.

10. Don’t smoke. Not only does smoking after oral surgery increase your risk of infection, it also increases the risk of dental implants failing to integrate properly, if that is the kind of oral surgery you had. If you are a smoker, wait at least two weeks after your surgery before smoking.

Recovery time varies, but proper oral hygiene is your best friend during this time. That’s what will most help any oral discomfort to lessen. 

Questions about how to prepare for oral surgery or ready to schedule an NYC oral surgery consultation with Dr. Mahjoubi? Call the Upper East Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery office and we’ll set you up with an appointment.

We make oral surgery smooth and easy for our patients, and we’re looking forward to helping you achieve the smile, oral comfort, and oral health you deserve.

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