Oral surgery differs from patient to patient, as each procedure is tailored to individual needs. However, standard operations follow a general time frame. 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. While the healing process takes a little longer, the recovery period after oral surgery is relatively quick. However, at a minimum, you should expect to rest for at least 2 days after surgery.
You should keep this in mind when you schedule your surgery to ensure that you have a few days off where minimal activity is required. Your dentist will also recommend that you keep physical activity to a minimum for the next 2 or 3 days. Swelling usually lasts up to two weeks after oral surgery. However, it varies depending on the procedure and the individual.
If you are preparing to have oral surgery, you may be concerned about how your recovery will be. Contact your dentist or Columbia Smiles if you've recently had oral surgery and have questions about your recovery. The most important thing you can do to ensure that you recover quickly from oral surgery is to follow the surgeon's or dentist's instructions. Some oral surgeries, specifically those that focus on bone structure (such as bone grafts and apicectomy), may require a longer period of overall healing.
Tye and his team at Texas Oral Surgery Specialists will tell you what to expect during and after the procedure. If you have an upcoming oral surgery, you may feel anxious about all the unknowns involved, including questions about the recovery process.
