It's normal to have some swelling after oral surgery. For most people, it increases for 2 or 3 days and then starts to decrease after that. If swelling and pain increase after 3 days, call the clinic for an appointment. You'll feel the most discomfort when the sensation starts to return to your mouth.
You want to take the best care of your teeth and gums after surgery, but you also want to return to normal life. Your recovery schedule will vary depending on the type of surgery you are having, your physical health, and your age. Hopefully, any bleeding will stop within the first 24 hours and you'll feel better after the effects of the sedation have worn off. Complete healing can take up to two weeks.
During the first week after surgery, you can return to your normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. If you are taking prescription pain medications, be sure to follow all instructions on how to operate a vehicle or machinery. You can also take an antibiotic during this time to reduce any chance of infection. You can eat, drink and brush your teeth normally.
In the case of a simple tooth extraction, the pain can last between one and three days. Particularly sensitive patients may feel persistent pain or tenderness in the area for a longer time, possibly up to a week. You will likely feel pain for the first 48 hours, although your mouth may hurt up to a week after surgery. The local anesthetic injections given during the procedure ensure that you don't feel pain for the first 3 to 4 hours after surgery, but once the effect of the anesthesia wears off, you'll need to take any painkillers that are given to you.
You should take them regularly to ensure you get a good night's sleep; this will maximize your recovery. You will usually be prescribed acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When these two medications are taken together, they increase each other's effect because they work in different ways. Be sure to follow the instructions given to you by your surgeon or pharmacist.
Some patients may not be able to take these medications due to medical problems, but in these cases, alternatives will be provided. Some oral surgeries, specifically those that focus on bone structure (such as bone grafts and apicectomy), may require a longer period of overall healing. Now that you've passed oral surgery, you'll want to take care of your mouth to ensure a quick and easy recovery. If bleeding continues for more than 24 hours or is so severe that the gauze needs to be changed more often, call your dentist or oral surgeon.
Your surgeon may tell you not to brush or use mouthwash, as your mouth may be too sensitive for regular oral hygiene. Tooth sensitivity near the wisdom tooth socket is common; good oral hygiene will solve this problem, although it may last several weeks. Contact your dentist or Columbia Smiles if you've recently had oral surgery and have questions about your recovery. If you are preparing to have oral surgery, you may be concerned about how your recovery will be.
Follow the instructions for good oral hygiene, as it is very important to minimize the risk of infection.
