Oral surgery requires mindful recovery that can help speed up the recovery process and avoid infection. Once you undergo oral surgery in Huntington Beach, your specialist might give you instructions and tips to help you post-treatment. The information can cover diet, oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits that can help your surgical heal faster without complications.
1. Get enough rest
The first 2-3 days after your surgery are crucial, especially in clot formation. Your surgical site must clot to prevent bleeding and promote healing. Your surgeon will advise you to avoid vigorous exercise and rest as you allow your treatment area to heal.
2. Maintain good oral hygiene
The treatment area should always be clean during recovery. Although you should not always brush or floss your teeth, rinsing with warm salty water in-between brushing will help. The goal is to ensure no food remains on your teeth or tongue that can lead to bacteria growth.
3. Protect the surgical site
Certain movements and actions post-surgery during the first few days can affect your recovery. The movements include chewing and direct contact of other objects like straw with the treatment area. Such actions can lead to the dislodging of blood clots, causing an infection or a slow recovery.
4. Sleep with your head elevated
Pain and swelling during oral surgery recovery are normal. However, you don’t want your surgical site to hurt or swell three days after your treatment. Sleeping or resting with your head elevated will reduce the swelling and speed up recovery. In addition, use medications and ice packs to deal with the pain.
5. Eat soft foods
Mashed potatoes, soups, scrambled eggs, boiled vegetables, and smoothies can provide a nutritious soft diet that will not interfere with your surgical site. The least pressure you exert on your treatment area, the better and quicker your recovery. You can add ripe fruits for additional nutrients and vitamins.
6. Avoid hot foods and liquids
Hot or extremely cold foods can affect your blood flow and, in turn, cause a blood rush or contract the blood vessels, depending on the temperature of your food. Your specialist might advise consuming warm foods and liquids to allow a constant temperature and blood flow.
7. Stay hydrated
Getting enough water and other healthy fluids will flush out toxins and help your recovery. Drink your water straight from a cup and avoid straws. The suction applied when using straws can interfere with the treatment area.
What to avoid during recovery
You should avoid practices that interfere with your recovery. While you might be a smoker, your surgeon will strongly advise you to stop smoking or quit. Smoking limits the amount of oxygen that reaches your surgical site hence a longer and slower recovery. Other things to avoid include disturbing the surgical site, eating chewy foods, and drinking alcohol.
If you are due for oral surgery because of an infection or injury, visit Orange Coast Dental Specialty for treatment. You will meet qualified and experienced dental surgeons ready to examine your dental system and offer suitable treatment. Call or schedule an appointment online today.
