![]() ![]() Since most antibiotic regimens last around seven to 10 days, you may be at or near the end of your course at this point. ![]() Sometimes, an antibiotic is prescribed after oral surgery to help prevent infection. ![]() The pressure from the syringe can dislodge any food particles from the site. Of note, about a week after you have undergone a tooth extraction, your surgeon may recommend irrigating the site of the tooth extraction a few times a day using a syringe filled with tap water. That said, you may see slight bruising, especially if the surgery involved your lower wisdom teeth. You should avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting, as this can increase bleeding. If it continues to ooze, then you will want to get a new gauze dressing and place it into your mouth. ![]() After one hour, you should gently take the gauze out and check the socket to see how it's doing. If this is not the case or you have any concerns, be sure to reach out to your surgeon.īesides swelling, stiffness in the muscles of the face should also ease up at this point. As long as the area is bleeding or oozing, you should leave the dressing in place. Less commonly, your stitches will need to be removed by your oral surgeon.īy post-operative day seven to 10, swelling is usually completely gone. The two-to-three day mark is also around the time that any stitches in your mouth will dissolve or fall out on their own. That said, for more extensive procedures, like having multiple teeth removed, it may be one full week (or more) before you are able to do this. Icing also helps reduce swelling and inflammation.īy day two or three, you may be able to resume normal activities, which may include going back to work or school. To minimize any swelling, you will probably be instructed to keep your head propped up with two to three pillows when resting and sleeping. Swelling is a normal response to undergoing oral surgery. To prevent choking, it's important to not fall asleep with gauze in your mouth. That said, for more severe cases, your surgeon may prescribe an opioid for breakthrough pain. Since opioids carry a risk of dependence and other undesirable side effects like respiratory depression, sedation, and constipation, they are generally avoided as first-line pain medications for oral surgery. Your oral surgeon will likely recommend either Tylenol (acetaminophen), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) like Advil (ibuprofen), or a combination of the two, to ease your post-operative pain.įor optimal pain relief and to avoid the use of opioids, an "around-the-clock" pain regimen is generally recommended, instead of treating pain only when it surfaces. For instance, they may recommend applying ice packs to your face (on the side where the surgery was performed) for 15-minute intervals (15 minutes on and 15 minutes off). Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about icing, which can reduce both pain and swelling. Try to sleep with your head elevated for the first few days.īe sure to follow all aftercare instructions and attend follow-up care appointments with your dentist and/or oral surgeon.The two main therapies used to alleviate pain after oral surgery are ice application and pain medication. Use cold compresses and ice packs on the outside of your face for the first few days to reduce swelling.Contact your dentist if the pain continues beyond the first week or seems to get worse. Use over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.Stay away from mouthwash containing alcohol or alcoholic beverages until the site is healed completely.This will help to both control pain and keep the mouth and site clean. Starting the third or so day after your surgery, you can rinse carefully with warm saltwater every few hours.Avoid the extraction site directly initially. After the first day, brush and floss twice per day.Try to eat on the opposite side of your mouth from the extraction site, and stay away from overly crunchy foods. As the site heals, you can add solid foods back in.Try not to blow your nose or sneeze vigorously for the first few days, as the clot is setting.Here are some additional aftercare and recovery tips:\ \ Stick to soft and nutritious foods for at least the first several days. After a tooth extraction, you can promote healing by following the aftercare information given to you by your surgical team. ![]()
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