How Can I Make My Mouth Heal Faster After Oral Surgery?
There are numerous reasons why a dental expert suggests oral surgery. It may be due to dental implant placement, tooth pulling, periodontal surgery, etc. The oral surgeon performs mouth surgery in and around the oral cavity. Recovery relies on the good practices conducted by the patient.
There are a few guidelines you need to stick to after dental surgery. It helps you get fast recovery and prevent the healing from taking a long time. On average, the complete recovery can differ between 7 to 15 days.
Measures to Carry Out at Home for Faster Mouth Healing
Recovery from oral surgery is different for everyone and can take some time. You can get a speedy recovery by following the tips below:
1. Take Proper Care of the Surgical Region
Protect the surgical site by restricting drinking, talking, and eating for the first few hours. Do not spit because it could disturb the wound.
2. Stay Hydrated
It is essential to stay hydrated after dental surgery by drinking a lot of liquids. But do not consume caffeinated, hot, or carbonated beverages in the initial 24 hours. Also, avoid drinking via a straw because the suction could irritate the wound.
3. Take Proper Rest
Take it easy after mouth surgery. Many patients resume their everyday activities within 24 hours.
4. Apply a Cold Compress
Use a cold compress to the face as suggested by the oral surgeon for the first 24 – 48 hours after dental surgery. It reduces bruises, swelling, and other discomforts.
5. Take Pain Medicines
As suggested by the oral surgeon, take pain-killing medicines to reduce pain in the treated area. The expert advises two medications – painkillers and antibiotics.
Antibiotics help lower the risk of infection, mainly if your immunity level is low. But painkillers help you return to your everyday activities quickly.
6. Stick to Soft Foods and Drinks
Stick to soft food varieties for the first few days, such as yogurt, ice cream, porridge, soups, well-cooked veggies, etc. Be aware of fizzy and spicy foods because they may cause irritation in the surgical area.
7. Clean the Tooth Extraction Site
Clean the tooth pulling site on a regular basis but avoid it for the first 2 hours. It gives the wound time to clot and heals properly without disturbance. You can use a germicidal mouthwash for a few days for teeth cleaning. If you spot some bleeding, control it by biting down on the sterile and soft gauze pad.
8. Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Do not take tobacco and alcohol for one week after surgery. It increases complications and delays healing.
What Can You Not Do After Oral Surgery?
Avoid the following things post mouth surgery:
1. Do Not Push Yourself to the Limits
Avoid doing strenuous exercises for heavy lifting for the first few days. It’s best to take proper rest for fast recovery.
2. Avoid Floss and Brushing
Do not brush or floss in the surgical region till your dentist asks you to do so. Moreover, when you resume it, do that gently.
3. Do Not Consume Hot and Hard Foods
Food creates one of the biggest risks to fast recovery from tooth pulling. So, you must avoid chewing crunchy foods like carrots, popcorn, etc. in the area of surgery for 6 to 8 weeks. Also, do not consume hot foods because they can burn the wound and lead to bleeding from the mouth.
4. Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol for 24 Hours
After dental surgery, do not smoke or drink alcohol for the first 24 hours. They can interfere with the healing process. Thus, it’s best to quit them to boost your overall health.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you take any antibiotic medicine or feel pain. Contact your oral surgeon if you need any help with cessation.
Can I Drink Milk After Tooth Extraction?
Yes. You can drink milk after wisdom tooth pulling. Milk is actually a perfect source of calcium and keeps your teeth healthy. You can even consume soy milk and other kinds of nut milk like almond milk, corn milk, etc. But if you had sedation for the mouth surgery, you must avoid milk products for the initial day.