It’s Best to Know What to Expect after Oral Surgery

People undergoing oral surgery for the first time often don't know what exactly to expect during the recovery process, and could end up panicking or suffering paranoia due to the unfamiliar experience. However, what you should know is that many of these seemingly-strange effects are in fact normal, and can be alleviated by following some simple steps.

Slight bleeding after a periodontal procedure is normal. In fact you can expect it to persist up to 24 hours following the surgery. Buy a surgical gauze (or you could ask your dental surgeon for some) and bite down on it using firm pressure for about thirty minutes to one hour when profuse bleeding ensues.

Swelling is also pretty common in many oral or gum surgery procedures. Have an ice pack handy in the critical first 24 hours after the surgery so you can have something to help relieve the side of your face where the swelling is most apparent. Ordinarily, the swelling should be gone after 7 to 10 days.

Certain types of periodontal surgery procedures may result in varying levels of pain to course through your face and head in the first few post-operative days. Speak with your dentist beforehand about effective pain medications he can prescribe, making sure that you take it only according to his directions.

Avoid most dental hygiene practices that involve putting pressure on your gums and teeth for the first 24 hours (even vigorous rinsing and spitting is discouraged). In the following days however, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to take care of your chompers; but remain gentle when brushing around the surgery site.

5 Quick Tips to Healthier Teeth

Dentists share the main things you need to put into your oral health care plan for you to get that amazing smile:

1. Develop a daily oral routine. It's important to brush your teeth three times a day or after every meal, to ensure that they remain clean and that bacteria in your mouth is removed so they won't cause tooth decay.
2. Floss. People tend to overlook this, but dentists stress that flossing is essential. This can help remove plaque and other food particles between your teeth and gums that your toothbrush may have missed.
3. Use fluoride. Toothpaste, most mouthwashes, and even tap water contain fluoride, which not only prevents tooth decay but also strengthens enamel. Your dentist should be able to tell you how much fluoride is needed for your teeth, and if it's necessary for you to get supplements.
4. Watch what you eat. Sugary and starchy foods like ice cream and soda can be particularly damaging to your teeth when these foods are left on the surface for extended periods. Bacteria thriving on these foods produce acid in your mouth that damages tooth enamel. A tip: chew sugarless gum after snacking; it produces more saliva that can naturally wash away the acids.
5. Pay regular visits to your dentist. It may sound like a pain, but at least two visits to your dentist in a year can do wonders in keeping your teeth healthy and white.

Ways to Speed Up Healing After Oral Surgery

Oral surgery might be a dreadful thought for many, but the truth remains that it is often the best way to keep bacteria and disease from threatening your teeth, and to restore them to their former glory. However, if you're scheduled to go under the knife soon, it's only natural for you to feel anxious. Hence, to help ease your fear, take note of these steps that you can take to ensure a speedy recovery:

You could try gargling with saltwater after every meal, once in the morning and once before bedtime, since this serves to minimize the pain that post-surgery gum inflammation can cause. Keep the proportion to approximately ½ tsp. of salt in 8 oz. of warm water.

Don't use your ordinary toothbrush soon after oral surgery. Instead, buy a soft-bristled brush and use this for a few days to weeks, depending on the expected recovery time for your procedure or the orders of your doctor. When brushing, avoid the tooth and gum area where the procedure was done. Too much movement and pressure could dislodge implants, crowns, or fillings.

A great recovery tip would be to stay in touch with your dental surgeon even after the surgery, so as to report any untoward reactions or side effects that might occur and delay the healing process even further. Moreover, never take any painkiller (or any other medication for that matter) that your doctor did not directly prescribe for you.

Common Types of Oral Surgery

Surgery is needed when an infection or a disease of the oral cavity has gone past the scope of basic medications. The procedure may involve teeth extraction, jawbone restructuring, and implantation. In some cases, oral surgery is performed for cosmetic purposes. Here are three of the most common types of oral surgery.

Extraction of Impacted Teeth

Most dental extraction procedures involve the wisdom teeth. Often, wisdom teeth grow misaligned and become impacted in the process. Teeth with this condition must be removed to prevent the area from swelling and experiencing severe irritation. Extraction allows the surrounding teeth to grow freely, and thus stops the pain and inflammation.

Implantation

Dental implants are used when replacing a missing tooth but the results are more permanent and closer to the qualities of a real tooth. Sometimes, the jawbone structure isn't fit to be implanted, forcing dental specialists to either trim the jawbone or add metal plates where the implant can attached. This requires an oral surgery since the modifications may invade the gum and bone structure within the oral cavity.

Root Canal

Cavities are a precursor to gum infection, especially if left unattended. When the infection spreads, the dentist has to deal with both the decaying tooth and the infected gum and bone tissues through a procedure called root canal treatment. This procedure is performed when there's a significant amount of tissues between the bone and the tooth infected.