Improving Your Oral Health after Going through Surgery

If you underwent an oral surgery then you might feel unpleasant. Different aches like pain in the jawbones and teeth, swollen and bleeding gums are some things that commonly occur after going through dental surgery. However, if you take proper care all the pain will soon heal. During this post-operative period, it is essential to keep your mouth free from infections.

First thing you should avoid is rinsing your mouth the first day after the dental surgery. Also, do not eat solid food, drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes for the first couple of weeks after surgery. If your root canal was operated, then you should also avoid brushing for a few days. Your jawbones may become stiffer after the surgery, and you may face problems with opening your mouth in the first week after the dental operation. You can try massaging it softly and gently, but never use force to open your mouth.

Your tooth may be covered with a pad in order for the bleeding to stop, so be calm and rest in the first couple of hours after surgery. During this period, do your best not to chew on the pad on your tooth no matter how irritating it might be. You may worsen the problem, so just relax and wait for the bleeding to stop.

Sometimes dental surgeries can lead to swelling in or around mouth. Swelling may be there for a week or even more, depending on the seriousness and the extent of the dental surgery. Remember that you cannot reduce the swollen place by applying heat on the spot. On the contrary, if you do that your swelling may even increase. Best thing to do is to massage the place with a couple of ice cubes inserted in a soft towel. This way, your jaw muscles will get back in their natural position more quickly.

In the first couple of weeks after surgery consume food that is soft and full of vitamins. Dairy products, juices, vitamin shakes, and certain fruits like bananas can be very helpful in wound healing. Also when you take food, try to chew on the opposite side of the wounded area.

Never use fingers, tongue or other things to touch your teeth, regardless how irritating your wound is. If you touch the wound you risk causing an infection that can lead to other more serious problems.