Aftercare Tips for Dental Surgery

There are several reasons why you may require dental surgery, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, tooth extraction and certain gum treatments, and no matter which treatment you undergo, it’s important to implement proper aftercare. By following these aftercare tips, you’ll be on your way to a speedy recovery.

Take pain killers correctly

After major dental surgery, most of the time you’ll be prescribed with a dose of painkillers. Don’t let the residual effects of anaesthetic fool you into thinking you don’t need pain killers, and take painkillers pre-emptively as advised by your dental surgeon, rather than waiting until the pain has already set in. If you’re taking over the counter pain killers, be sure to avoid aspirin, as it acts as a blood thinner which can worsen bleeding.

Take it easy

Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to take a couple of days off work for recovery. During the first few days after dental surgery, avoid doing heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. When lying down, try to keep your head elevated to limit excess swelling and bleeding. It’s also important to avoid alcohol and cigarettes during your recovery.

Control bleeding and swelling

Depending on your type of surgery, your dentist may have advised you to prevent excess bleeding using gauze pads. You should apply these pads to the affected area and change them as advised, and apply ice packs externally to reduce swelling, however it’s important to remember some bleeding and swelling after surgery is normal and to be expected.

Mind what you eat and drink

Stick to soft foods for the first few days after surgery and avoid hot food and drink while your mouth is still numb, as you won’t be able to properly gauge whether it’s cool enough to consume. Even once you’ve moved back to solid food, avoid excessively tough or crunchy foods for another few weeks.

Keep your mouth clean

It’s advisable not to rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery, however once this period has passed you should gently rinse with a saline solution, particularly after eating. Start brushing again as advised by your dentist, but be careful not to come into contact with the wound.

If you experience any problems during the recovery period, or you want to enquire about a dental procedure, contact Eden Rise Dental on (03) 9702 6111. Our friendly dentists have a wealth of experience and will ensure the appropriate aftercare.