About After Oral Surgery

Almost everyone has oral surgery at some point. Although it's not a major surgery, you will still need to follow the after care instructions. Having a tooth extracted can be painful. The first 24 hours is crucial. Following these guidelines will help you recover quickly without any complications from the surgery.

• Start taking painkillers immediately. Depending on the oral surgery you had, your doctor will more than likely prescribe some type of painkiller. These are more effective if started before the pain sets in. Take exactly as prescribed. If you are supposed to take every four hours, make sure to take every four hours.


• Don't take aspirin. This thins the blood making it harder for the blood clot to form. Part of the healing after having a tooth extracted is the blood clot. It forms in the opening where your tooth was removed. You want to take care that you do not dislodge it.


• Avoid exercise for 24 hours.


• You can expect to feel pain for several days after your oral surgery. If your tooth had to be cut out, the pain will be a bit more severe. Teeth that are pulled generally heal faster with less pain.


• Don't eat anything hard the first day after surgery. After that, it will depend on how you feel. You will want to avoid chewing directly over the site of surgery for several days. Chew on the other side of your mouth.


• When you sleep, prop yourself up on several pillows. This will help with the drainage and promote healing.


• When brushing your teeth, make sure you don't dislodge your blood clot for several days. Your oral surgeon will probably prescribe a mouthwash for you to use during this time. It kills bacteria and helps prevent infection from setting in. You will probably not be able to use mouthwash until 24 hours after your surgery. This will prevent your blood clot from being dislodged from the swishing.


• Avoid sucking, spitting, and smoking. All of these can dislodge the blood clot, putting you at risk for dry socket. Don't drink with a straw.


• It takes a few weeks for the gum to heal. If your oral surgeon had to cut through bone, it could take months for that to heal. Generally after the first week, you should not feel pain.


• Your oral surgeon will let you know how to care for your extraction. It's important to follow their instructions exactly. You will want to keep the dressing clean. Make sure to keep any follow up appointments.