Oral surgery is a common procedure for many Belmont residents, and it's important to understand the recovery process. After the first postoperative day, it's important to rinse with warm salt water after meals for the first week to remove food particles and debris that may lodge in the surgical area. Once you have stopped bleeding from oral surgery, you can eat soft foods such as soups, yoghurts, and mashed potatoes. It's also important to avoid drinking with a straw, eating, drinking, and talking unnecessarily, and brushing your teeth for 24 hours. To reduce swelling and post-operative discomfort, cold compresses can be applied to the outside of the cheek for the first 24 hours.
Smoking, drinking or using a straw, or rinsing vigorously for 72 hours after extraction are strongly discouraged. Avoid hot foods and liquids for about 1 hour after surgery so as not to soften the dressing. It's also important to reduce activity as much as possible for several hours after oral surgery. Women who take birth control pills should be aware that antibiotics can interfere with their effectiveness. Tell your office about any allergies or sensitivities you may have to antibiotics. For the first 6 to 8 weeks after the oral surgery procedure, avoid chewing on hard, crunchy foods such as popcorn and carrots in the area where the oral surgery was performed.
Rest and recover, and don't lift heavy objects or do strenuous exercise for the first few days after oral surgery. In the meantime, maintain a healthy diet, observe the rules for proper oral hygiene, and visit your dentist for regular checkups. Dr. Chang specializes in oral surgery, dental implants, dental crowns, porcelain veneers and dental cleanings. He will likely tell you not to rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after oral surgery but to do so on the second day.
