When you get oral surgery at Hillstream Dental, you’re in good hands. Your health and comfort are our top priorities. What happens after a surgery like a tooth extraction or dental implants? Here are five important tips for post-op oral surgery care:
- Tip #1: Listen to our instructions
- Tip #2: Take it easy
- Tip #3: Keep your mouth clean
- Tip #4: Eat soft foods
- Tip #5: Don’t smoke or drink alcohol
After your surgery, we’ll give you detailed instructions on how to take care of yourself. Listening to us is the most important thing you can do for your recovery. If you have questions about our instructions or something unexpected comes up, call us right away.
Rest helps you heal. After surgery, plan on taking it easy for the rest of the day. Lay on your bed or couch with your head propped up on a pillow. Avoid intense physical activity and heavy lifting for the next several days.
After oral surgery, there’s a chance the area can get infected, so keeping your mouth clean is essential. You can still brush, but you’ll need to be very gentle around the surgery site. Rinsing with warm salt water can also help kill bacteria. We’ll give you specific recommendations on what to do based on your surgery.
Post-op, you’ll need to be careful about what you eat. Soft foods like bananas, mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, and warm (not hot) soups are ideal. Don’t eat anything hard or crunchy like chips or hard vegetables.
If you smoke or drink, it’s best to put a pause on those activities while you heal from oral surgery. Smoking and drinking interfere with your body’s ability to heal.
Call Hillstream Dental with Questions
We know oral surgery can be scary, so we want the recovery process to be as smooth as possible. If you have any questions about the surgeries at our Rochester Hills or St. Clair Shores offices, please contact us today!
