The recovery process following an oral surgery procedure differs from person to person. Your dentist will send you home with information on how to care for yourself properly. In most cases, the pain should lessen by the second day after the procedure. Generally, recovery will happen within two to three weeks following the procedure. Here are a few tips about putting yourself on the road to recovery for quick reference:

1. Controling Bleeding in Recovery

Following surgery, continued bleeding for approximately two hours is relatively normal. Your dentist or oral surgeon will place a gauze pad over the wound to help reduce the bleeding. It is important to keep constant pressure on the wound to help stop the bleeding, even if the gauze gets soggy. About an hour following surgery, switch out the gauze pad(s) for a new one. If the bleeding does not stop within two hours, please contact your dentist or surgeon. Keep in mind that spotty bleeding may occur from time to time within the first few days of recovery.

2. Managing Pain in Recovery

It is normal to experience tenderness and pain after oral surgery. Start taking the pain killers your dentist or oral surgeon has prescribed to you following the procedure to proactively prevent pain. Don't wait until you are in extreme pain! Take your prescription regularly to stay ahead of the pain. If your dentist or surgeon does not prescribe pain killers, over-the-counter Ibuprofen might be appropriate. To minimize swelling and bruising, apply ice packs to your face in 10-minute intervals. Doing this may also help lessen pain while recovering from oral surgery.

3. Take It Easy in Recovery

Take it easy and rest a lot following your procedure. After any oral surgery procedure, you should go home, relax and avoid strenuous or taxing activity. You should not exercise for 12-24 hours. Avoid heaving lifting for two to three days. If you want to lie down, try propping your head up with pillows to alleviate swelling and the risk of excess bleeding.

4. Keep It Clean in Recovery

Clean your mouth carefully and gently, emphasis on gently. For the first 24 hours, you should not rinse your mouth. After that 24-hour period, rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water. Gently swish the warm salt water in your mouth four to five times daily for three or four days, or as recommended by your dentist or surgeon. It is okay to brush your teeth, but brush carefully. Avoid brushing the areas that are healing in your mouth.

5. What should you be eating after Dental Surgery?

For the first two days following surgery, try sticking to liquids and soft foods only. This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in milkshakes, ice cream, smoothies and pudding. Hurrah! No straws for those soft, yummy drinks though. Use a spoon or drink milkshakes and smoothies from a glass. Foods such as pasta, oatmeal, yogurt, mashed potatoes and refried beans are other soft food options. You should be able to resume a normal diet within seven days following surgery.

In the first hours following surgery, be cautious of food temperature. You do not want to burn the inside of your mouth. Be aware. While the numbness wears off, you may not be able to sense the hot temperatures or feel the burning of hot food. Avoid tough or crunchy foods as well. Enjoy softer foods that require less chewing such as pasta, eggs and soft sandwiches. This will help you keep from biting your cheeks or tongue. Avoid any food that may contain seeds or nuts that can get stuck in the extraction sites.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will perform the surgery and guide you through the oral surgery recovery process, too. If the pain following surgery continues to worsen, don't hesitate to contact your dentist or surgeon. Also, contact your dentist or surgeon if you have any concerns about the surgery site, such as continued bleeding and irritation. Make sure that there are no complications and that you are healing.

The post Oral Surgery Part 2: Put Yourself on The Road to Recovery appeared first on Sherwood Dental.

Although you may practice proper dental oral health, some conditions occur that may require an oral surgery procedure. Oral surgery may sound scary, but many of the procedures are fairly simple and routine. Oral surgeries, when necessary, will help you to maintain and live a more comfortable lifestyle . Here's what you need to know before your oral surgery procedure:

Who performs an oral surgery procedure?

Dentists may perform minor oral surgeries. In most cases though, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) are dentists who are trained to surgically treat and care for problem conditions such as:

• wisdom teeth
• facial pain
• misaligned jaws and disorders of the jaw
• diseases
• injuries and defects of the teeth
• soft tissue in and around the mouth

How can I prepare for an oral surgery procedure?

Good oral hygiene is the best preparation for every oral surgery procedure. However, prior to surgery, you should consult with your dentist and surgeon to discuss outcomes of the oral surgery procedure and any medications you may need. It is important to know as much as possible about the procedure you will be receiving. It is also important that you be prepared with appropriate medications prior to surgery to handle any pain or side effects that may occur following surgery.

Make sure a loved-one or friend will accompany you to and from your appointment. Depending on the procedure and the anesthetic used, you may not be capable of driving after surgery. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and a short-sleeved shirt or top. Avoid wearing contact lenses and jewelry.

You should not eat or drink (including water!) for six hours prior to an oral surgery procedure, especially if the surgery requires general anesthetic. This is for your safety! Your stomach should be empty before surgery to decrease the risk of complication during surgery. Additionally, you should not smoke at least 72 hours before the procedure. Smoking prior to any surgical procedure increases the risk of postoperative heart attacks, blood clots, pneumonia and possibly even death. So be on the safe side! Follow all eating, drinking and smoking guidelines as outlined by your surgeon.

Common oral surgery procedures may include

Impacted Teeth: Teeth that fail to emerge in proper alignment because they are trapped between the jawbone and the gum tissue, will likely need to be removed with an oral surgery procedure. Wisdom teeth (sometimes referred to as your third molars) are some of the most common cases of impacted teeth. Failure to remove these troublesome teeth can cause permanent damage to surrounding teeth, gums and bone.

Tooth Loss: Dental implants are an alternative to dentures if you have tooth loss. Implants are surgically attached to the jawbone and stabilize artificial teeth. Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants. If you have good bone levels and bone density, are not prone to infection and are willing to practice good oral hygiene, you could be a good candidate.

Jaw-related Issues: Unequal jaw growth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders may require an oral surgery procedure.

Unequal jaw growth occurs when the upper and lower jaws fail to grow properly. This condition can cause difficulty in speaking, eating, swallowing and breathing. Surgery to adjust jaw positioning can improve function of the jaw.

TMJ disorders (TMD) can cause headaches and facial pain. Surgery is an option for advanced TMJ cases to correct specific problems in the joint.

If your need for an oral surgery procedure has occurred, contact Sherwood Dental at (780) 464-4166. Sherwood Dental can complete your extraction or refer you to an OMS who is trained to treat your specific need and answer questions you might have.

The post Oral Surgery Part 1: Before Your Oral Surgery Procedure appeared first on Sherwood Dental.