What is the Recovery Period Like After Oral Surgery?

Dental implants and other dental procedures that require oral surgery require some recovery time. Oral surgery is like any other type of surgery. For example, you will probably be given some form of anesthesia. There are many other conditions that exist or can develop after oral surgery, which will affect your recovery period.

Nausea

You may experience nausea or vomiting during the recovery period. This is often a side effect of the anesthesia. Your doctor can recommend some anti-nausea remedies to alleviate these feelings.

Trouble Eating and Drinking

Your mouth, teeth and/or gums will be sensitive following oral surgery. It’s helpful to stock up on some recommended food and drink items so they’re ready when you come home after oral surgery. Ask your doctor for a list of items that will be suitable depending on your procedure. In addition, certain foods and drinks will be prohibited immediately following your oral surgery, so be sure to stay away from those particular items.

Bleeding

If you’ve had certain procedures, such as a wisdom tooth extraction, you may experience some residual bleeding from the site. Typically, applying pressure with sterile gauze for a period of time will stem the bleeding. Try not to swallow any of the blood, since that can exacerbate stomach upset. Excess bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t respond to pressure and gauze should be reported to your doctor.

Swelling

Oral surgery is traumatic to the tissues in and around your mouth. As such, you may experience swelling in the area. Swelling is caused when white blood cells race to the “scene” to initiate healing. In fact, a little swelling is a sign that your body is reacting normally. Swelling may look and feel uncomfortable, but it will typically go down on its own within about 24 hours after oral surgery.

Plan on resting at home after oral surgery. You won’t feel like going back to work for two or three days at least. Follow your doctor’s instructions and let their office know if you’re experiencing anything that feels unusual or worrying. After you’ve recovered from oral surgery, you can look forward to improved oral health for many years to come!