Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure conducted in or around the mouth and jaw. This service is usually performed by a dental specialist who is trained to do certain kinds of oral surgeries. At Short Pump Family Dentistry, we offer the following surgical services for the well-being of our patients:
After any of these procedures, it is then essential for patients to perform the right measures to secure a successful recovery. To do so, here are some tips we prepared.
Get plenty of rest
Following the procedure, spend the rest of the day resting. If a sedative has been administered to the patient, they should not drive on their own and perform any strenuous activities. Also, they must not bend or lift anything that might dislodge the clots and cause more bleeding. Elevate the head with pillows upon lying down.
Apply a cold compress
After the oral surgery, the face might swell or have bruises—both of which are actually normal. During the first 24 hours, apply a cold compress for 30 minutes and remove it for 15 minutes, then repeat. If both sides of the mouth have undergone oral surgery, apply a cold compress alternately for 15 minutes. Swelling should lessen after 2 or 3 days. If it gets worse, and fever or pus is present, make sure to contact the dentist right away.
Block the blood
During the first few days after the surgery, bleeding may be present. To help reduce this, gently bite down on a folded gauze for a bit. If bleeding persists for more than a day or if it becomes heavy enough for the gauze to be changed from time to time, call a dental professional immediately.
Allow the clot to form
Blood clots are essential because they are trying to heal the wounds in the mouth. To prevent these clots from being dislodged, avoid using a straw, drinking alcoholic or carbonated drinks, and smoking after the procedure. Spitting forcefully should also be avoided.
Be mindful of what you eat
After the surgical procedure, eating cool and soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, and more is highly recommended. Patients should, in the meantime, avoid foods that are too hot, cold, chewy, hard, and spicy.
Take pain medicines
Take the prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers as these are essential in managing the pain and discomfort felt by the patient after the procedure.
Keep an eye out
Look for any signs of infection, fever, swelling that lasts more than two days, and trouble swallowing or breathing. The patient may have an allergic reaction to the anesthetic administered to them during the procedure. Call the dentist immediately if any of these things are present.
Attend all post-surgery follow-up appointments
Patients must attend their scheduled post-surgery follow-up appointments to make sure that they are recovering well. Strictly follow all the dentist’s instructions to prevent any complications from happening.
Follow the instructions given
The surgeon may provide several guidelines to the patient on what they should and shouldn’t do following the procedure. If patients follow these, they are more likely to prevent infection and other complications.
Everyone deserves to receive the oral health care services they need and deserve. So to help everyone with their specific needs, we at Short Pump Family Dentistry included Oral Surgery in Richmond, VA as one of our treatment offers. To take advantage of the said service, book your appointment with us!
