Following the post-surgical indications recommended by your oral surgeon is a key factor in success of any oral surgery.
Below we give you, for reference, a general list of indications of things you can do after wisdom teeth removal or any other surgical dental procedure.
We do not pretend to be a guide of what you need, the definitive indications must always be given by the doctor who performed the treatment.
Table of Content
General Dental Post-surgical Indications
The instructions that you will receive are aimed at achieving a recovery in the shortest possible time, relieving discomfort and helping the healing processes.
Take actions that promote healing by maintaining the suture and the clot ( which is the body’s reaction to stop bleeding).
To promote Healing and Protect the Clot
If you were left with gauze to put pressure on the surgery site, keep it bitten for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the formation of the clot and the beginning of the healing process. If the gauze becomes congested, change it, put it in the same position, and bite on it for another 30 minutes.
The bleeding should decrease little by little, continue placing gauze in the meantime
If the bleeding is not controlled, contact your doctor immediately.
Speak the minimum necessary
Do not spit, blow, kiss or suck.
Do not chew on the area of the surgery or exert force on it.
Avoid exposure to heat: hot foods, sun, cooking, hair dryers, saunas, etc.
Do not spit the blood, you can throw the clot. Try not to rinse hard.
No smoking
Postural Measurements
The first 24 hours
Your head must be kept elevated, that is, you cannot bend down and lower your head, this can increase the pressure in the area of the surgery and cause bleeding.
To avoid night bleeding, sleep in a semi-recumbent position.
For 5 days:
Remain at relative rest, avoid exercise or physical exertion
About Inflammation and Pain
During the first 48 hours:
Apply ice on the outside of the operated area for 5 minutes and rest for 5 minutes and so on about 4 more times. This is repeated about 4 to 6 times a day
Eat cold liquid foods
After 48 hours:
Apply warm, moist compresses to the outside of the operated area for 20 minutes every hour until the swelling disappears.
Take medications as prescribed
About he suture
If you have a suture, make sure the stitches are always there. If you feel that one of them fell, notify your doctor immediately.
The Diet
For at least 7 days:
Eat a soft diet, initially cold, avoid hot foods or drinks.
Do not consume dairy, grains, rice, seeds, spicy, acidic or salty or alcoholic beverages.
About Hygiene
Maintain oral hygiene but brushing very carefully in the affected area.
To rinse your mouth, just move your head from side to side, don’t swish.
Do not smoke during the entire healing period, which lasts from 10 days to 3 months depending on the procedure performed
References
Stewart, M., Levey, E. & Nayyer, N. Salt water mouthwash post extraction reduced post operative complications. Evid Based Dent16, 27–28 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6401084↩︎
Collins, J.R., Veras, K., Hernández, M. et al. Anti-inflammatory effect of salt water and chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse after periodontal surgery: a randomized prospective clinical study. Clin Oral Invest25, 4349–4357 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03748-w↩︎
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Dr. Krisna makes sure that the treatment you receive is successful by contrasting opinions between all the doctors that are necessary and ensuring a neat execution of all the processes.
