Tag: Recovery

5 Recovery Tips for After Oral Surgery

Many people find similarities between oral surgery and operations performed on other parts of the body. For example, you may receive an anesthetic that will numb the treatment area or completely put you to sleep. Your oral surgeon will also advise you on your recovery to help you heal quickly and successfully without complications. Here are five tips we give our patients at Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin to expedite their recovery and make them as comfortable as possible.

Manage Bleeding and Swelling

Anytime you have surgery, there will be at least some bleeding during and maybe after the procedure. With oral surgery, bleeding is common. The amount of blood may seem alarming, but that’s because it easily mixes with your saliva, increasing the fluid volume. This mixture makes it seem like you’re bleeding more than you are.

We’re likely to use gauze to manage your bleeding after oral surgery. Though we’ll send you home from our clinic with plenty of gauze, it’s best to have a stockpile at home too, just in case. We advise changing the gauze every half-hour to ensure it doesn’t become saturated.

To manage inflammation, apply cold compresses, and keep your head elevated. Sleep propped up with your favorite pillow under your head. Also, the sooner you apply cold compresses after surgery, the better it manages inflammation and swelling.

What to Eat and Drink and What to Avoid

You should eat foods that require little to no chewing the hours and days after oral surgery. These include liquid meals like smoothies, protein drinks, and milkshakes. From these liquid foods, work your way up to soft foods like eggs, mashed potatoes, and cottage cheese. Cooked pasta and refried beans work as well, but avoid bread. Although it’s soft, it requires chewing.

After a week or so, you should be able to return to your regular diet. But try not to eat spicy and acidic foods for another couple of weeks. We also recommend that you not drink alcoholic beverages after surgery.

Avoid Pressure

Avoid activities that create a vacuum-like sucking, like smoking or drinking through a straw, until your gums heal. This pressure can affect the blood coagulating properly at the treatment site. Smoking presents a double whammy as it not only delivers pressure, but also diminishes the natural healing process within your body.

Get Plenty of Sleep and Rest

When you sleep, your body uses the time to replenish, refresh, and repair itself. We ask you limit your activity for at least the first day after oral surgery. You may feel good enough to jump back into things, but give it a day before you return back to your daily routine. Rest and relaxation are the best medicines for surgical recovery, so sleep tight and heal well.

Keep Your Mouth Clean

Good oral hygiene is always essential, but even more so after surgery. We will advise you not to brush or floss in the area for several days, as it may affect the wound healing correctly. You may use a piece of gauze with toothpaste to clean the teeth in the treatment area.

The Austin practice of Hill Country Oral Surgeons is available to patients who are concerned about the state of their wisdom teeth or need oral surgery for other issues. To learn more about oral surgery recovery and the treatment we provide, contact us or call 512-327-7233.

Keeping the Bleeding Down When You Get a Tooth Extracted

After having a tooth pulled, it is essential to follow these necessary aftercare instructions to maximize your healing. If your gums don’t stop bleeding, you should contact us immediately to determine the best course of action. In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to practice after a tooth extraction to reduce excessive bleeding.

For more information on teeth extraction or to book a consultation with one of our expert oral surgeons in Austin and Buda, TX, fill out our online form. While you’re here take a look at our before and after transformations in our gallery.

Stop the Bleeding

Take a piece of clean gauze, fold it into a square, and rest it on top of your wound. Bite firmly down for about an hour. Ensure the dressing is well-positioned to get enough pressure at the site of the extraction.

Another hint is to bite down on a tea bag using the same instructions as above. The tannic acid found in tea aids in the formation of blood clots, making tea bags particularly effective to stop the bleeding.

Ensure Blood Clot Formation Stays Within the Tooth Socket

Critical steps to take in protecting the development of blood clotting within the first 24 hours after a tooth is pulled:

  • Avoid vigorous spitting and rinsing.
  • Avoid drinking hot liquids.
  • Minimize differences in air pressure. Avoiding the creation of tension within your sinuses or mouth will prevent the risk of dislodging the blood clot from the empty socket. Smoking or sucking liquid through a straw can cause this type of pressure through suction. Also, blowing your nose and playing wind instruments can create stress as well.

Keep Heart Rate Down

Physical labor or strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least two days. Bending down or lifting heavy objects can increase your heart rate and may cause bleeding.

While relaxing or sleeping, you should keep your head above your heart (or nipple). This lowers your blood pressure and helps control excess bleeding.

Prepare for Swelling

After a tooth is pulled, gum tissue undergoes trauma and will become sensitive and swell. The degree of swelling is different from patient to patient.  Applying cold compresses to the area from outside the mouth can help control inflammation and swelling. Some of our patients moisten sponges and freeze them in plastic bags – these are perfect cold packs to minimize swelling during the first day or two after your extraction.

Don’t Smoke

You should refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours after tooth extraction. Not only does the pressure encourage bleeding, but smokers experience more complications after any type of surgery.

Proper Eating

Try to keep your diet to soft food or liquids for 24 hours after having your tooth pulled. Don’t chew anything vigorously, and avoid crunchy, hard foods that may negatively affect the extraction site and cause bleeding. Avoid hot liquids that can dissolve a blood clot.

How long should it take for a tooth extraction to stop bleeding?

It is typical for bleeding to continue for up to 24 hours after having a tooth extracted. However, the bleeding should remain minimal and tolerable. If excessive bleeding continues past 24 hours and is causing discomfort, that’s cause for concern. However, minor bleeding in the area where the extraction occurred is nothing to worry too much about, as long as it’s within the first day.

If bleeding persists or continues to worsen, schedule a dental visit to ensure there are no concerns that need immediate attention.

Can I sleep if my tooth extraction is still bleeding?

It’s not safe to fall asleep with gauze or padding in your mouth, since you might choke on it in your sleep. If your mouth is still bleeding at bedtime, rest on your back with your head elevated. This position will prevent choking, reduce swelling, and encourage clotting. You may also want to cover your pillow and clothes with towels to prevent stains in case blood drains from your mouth overnight.

What is the fastest way to stop bleeding after tooth extraction?

The fastest way to stop bleeding after a tooth extraction is to wet a small piece of gauze and fold it into a small square that easily fits over the empty socket. Apply pressure by biting down on it for 45 minutes to an hour. Most dentists and physicians recommend this method, which can stop bleeding within an hour.

It’s also beneficial to keep your head elevated when you lie down. When your head is higher than your heart, bleeding slows as your blood pressure reduces. You can easily do this by propping your head up with an extra pillow during rest or sleep.

You can also try putting a wet tea bag in your mouth. Black tea has a natural coagulant called tannic acid that will aid in the clotting process.

Can you leave gauze in too long after tooth extraction?

We recommend changing your gauze dressing every 30 minutes, depending on how much you are bleeding. It’s not necessary to keep using gauze if the empty socket has stopped bleeding and formed a clot. Aside from being unpleasant, if you leave gauze in your mouth for too long, it won’t sufficiently encourage the clotting process and can lead to infection.

For More Information on Stopping Bleeding after Tooth Extraction

If you are experiencing excessive pain or bleeding after your tooth extraction or if you need more information about a tooth that is giving you problems, please contact us or call us today for more details and your consultation.

Want to learn more? At Hill Country Oral Surgery, our goal is to provide you with the highest level of care in our welcoming, state-of-the-art facility. Dr. Cavaretta, Dr. Rasmussen, and our staff are committed to giving you the benefit of the latest, proven techniques and technological advances and tailoring our care to fit your needs.

Foods to Include in Your Recovery Following Oral Surgery

The pain, swelling, and bleeding after oral surgery will limit your food intake because of difficulty with chewing and swallowing. During your recovery, you should only choose soft foods to include in your diet. These soft foods are easy to prepare by mashing, moistening, pureeing, or grounding, giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to heal.

Here at Hill Country Oral Surgery, we recommend that you stick to the following foods that will have you back to normal in no time.

For more information on oral surgery including tooth extraction, jaw surgery, implant surgery, and more book a consultation with one of our expert oral surgeons in Austin and Buda, TX through our online form. While you’re here take a look at our before and after transformations in our gallery.

Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery

Start with Liquids

Oral swelling after surgery may prevent you from chewing solid and semi-solid foods. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends drinking 48-64 oz of liquids daily. These liquids should not include caffeine beverages like coffee, soda, and tea.

Flavored gelatins and juices extracted from fruits and vegetables are appropriate. Other suitable liquids include yogurt, milk, smoothies, shakes, tapioca, and protein drinks. Try to avoid alcohol and cold water, and don’t use a straw when drinking as it may increase your discomfort.

Soups

Soups made from vegetables and meats are easy to prepare. They will give your body the necessary nutrients to remain healthy and recover. We recommend soups like tomato, pumpkin, chicken noodle, and celery. Try to avoid soups with large, hard pieces of vegetables that require chewing and may be difficult to swallow.

Grains and Bread

Soft bread and grains are excellent after surgery, including white bread, wheat bread, flatbread, and flour tortilla. Grains like oatmeal, cream of wheat, rice, pasta noodles, and saltines are also suitable foods.

Other choices include polenta, congee, nut butter, ramen noodles, soft pastry pies, risotto, peas and mashed beans, waffles, and various semolina dishes.

Fruits and Vegetables

Well-cooked vegetables and canned fruits are excellent foods after surgery. Also, soft fruits and vegetables that are easy to chew and swallow like bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and cooked spinach give ample dietary vitamins and nutrients.

Other suggestions include boiled sweet potatoes (or mashed), baked apples or applesauce, beets, canned carrots, and au gratin potatoes.

Protein-Based Foods

Your body will need plenty of protein to heal. We recommend soft protein-based foods after oral surgery because they will cause less stress on the teeth, jaw, and throat.

These include broiled, stewed, baked or chopped lean beef, tuna, tofu, salmon, and chicken. Other protein-based foods that are acceptable include scrambled eggs, meatloaf, fish, pulled pork, and liver.

Dairy

Many dairy foods are easy to consume after your oral surgery. These include custard, yogurt, plain ice cream,  cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, milkshakes, mild cheese, cream cheese, and milk.

Next Steps

Hill Country Oral Surgery provides some of the very best oral surgery procedures and patient care in Austin, TX. If you are considering oral surgery in Austin, TX, and would like more information, we invite you to contact us today for a consultation!

3 Techniques That Make Tooth Extraction Recovery Quick and Manageable

Wounds in the mouth heal ten times faster than cuts on the body, making recovery from dental surgery much easier than recovery from other surgeries. Your mouth is primed to heal and with these simple techniques, you can help facilitate the process. Here are our best tips for quick and manageable recovery after tooth extraction.  We’re on your team before, during, and after oral surgery procedures. Here is the advice we offer our patients to help them maximize their recovery.

Control Your Pain

We want our patients to enjoy a comfortable and successful recovery from their tooth extractions. An important part of ensuring comfort is pain control. Your oral surgeon will likely recommend some type of pain medication, especially for the first days after your procedure. 

There are many options for pain control after tooth extraction. These include:

  • Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers- Most patients will use an over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol® or Advil®, to control discomfort after surgery. Over-the-counter treatments have been found to be more effective at reducing pain than opioid analgesics and have far fewer side effects. We’ll give our recommendations for safe over-the-counter options and how to use them effectively to control your discomfort after wisdom tooth extraction. 
  • Prescription Pain Medication– Some patients may need prescription pain medication for their recovery. Commonly prescribed pain relievers after oral surgery include Vicodin® and hydrocodone. These pain relievers are effective, but carry many side effects and can be addictive, especially if they are used improperly or for extended periods. 
  • Exparel®- We also offer a long-lasting, non-narcotic pain control option called Exparel. This medication is administered in our office right before your procedure and provides pain relief for up to three days. With Exparel, patients enjoy effective pain relief without having to remember medications. You’ll also avoid the side effects of narcotic pain medications including nausea, vomiting, constipation, and the potential for medication abuse. 

Controlling pain effectively helps you to rest and recover so your body can heal quickly.

Don’t Smoke

Nicotine is a powerful vasoconstrictor, meaning it constricts the blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients available to your surgical site. Fewer nutrients mean slower healing and an increased likelihood of complications. Smoking can also cause dry socket, a painful complication that can sometimes arise after tooth extraction. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms over the healing area dislodges prematurely. 

We ask our patients to stop smoking for several weeks before tooth extraction and throughout the recovery process.

Follow Your Recovery Instructions

Many of our patients are new to tooth extractions, but we’re certainly not. We perform this procedure frequently and have lots of experience guiding our patients through the recovery process successfully. We’ll provide detailed recovery instructions and we are available if you have any questions or concerns. Following our instructions closely will ensure that your mouth can heal effectively. 

If you have questions or concerns about the instructions we provide, reach out and let us know. We’re always happy to answer questions. If you experience any side effects that you weren’t expecting, get in touch. 

Schedule your tooth extraction in Austin, TX by calling Hill Country Oral Surgery at 512-327-7233.

After Oral Surgery: How to Keep Pain in Check Without Opiates

Pain shouldn’t be a major part of your oral surgery recovery. 

We’ve found that good pain control speeds recovery and helps patients avoid complications. It also makes the surgery experience more pleasant and less dread-inducing. Managing your pain is our priority and we seek to find pain control solutions that are both safe and effective. 

For many years, opioid pain medications were the standard recommendation after surgery. They work well, but they are also highly addictive. And then there are the side effects. These medications can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sedation. 

Understandably, many of our patients want to avoid opiate medications after oral surgery. Let’s explore your other options for a comfortable recovery after tooth extraction, jaw surgery, or dental implant placement. 

Ice

You’ve got the solution to post-surgical swelling and pain waiting in your freezer. Ice is a wonderful tool for enhancing comfort and reducing swelling after dental surgery. This treatment is most effective during the first two days post-surgery. 

Apply your ice pack to the face, never inside of the mouth, on the treated side in 20-minute intervals. After each interval, take a break from icing for at least an hour. You can safely use ice several times each day. Ice is usually used in conjunction with other pain control methods.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter medications work, and when used properly, can provide significant pain relief after oral surgery. 

NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ibuprofen and naproxen, are especially useful because of their inflammation-reducing benefits. These drugs help to control pain and inflammation in the mouth after your procedure. Acetaminophen can significantly decrease your perception of pain. We may recommend using multiple over-the-counter pain relievers together for maximal comfort after your dental surgery. Studies have found that a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can control pain as effectively as an opioid with fewer side effects. 

Non-Narcotic Prescription Medication

When over-the-counter options aren’t strong enough, there are often prescription versions of these medications available at a higher dosage. For example, prescription-strength ibuprofen may be used after dental surgery to alleviate pain and discomfort. Also, anti-inflammatory medication can be used to reduce swelling, which will also contribute to your comfort as you heal. 

Exparel®

We are excited to offer a long-lasting non-narcotic solution to pain after oral surgery. Exparel is providing our patients with new pain control options, and our patients are loving this innovative solution to post-surgical discomfort. 

Exparel is:

  • Administered before surgery with a quick injection at the surgical site. 
  • Starts working immediately. 
  • Numbs the surgical site during surgery and for up to three days after treatment.
  • Is non-narcotic. 
  • Offers pain relief without the harsh side effects of an opiate. You will not experience nausea, vomiting, or constipation from Exparel use. 
  • Has no risk of addiction, dependency, or abuse. 

Exparel is very effective, and since it provides long-lasting results, it helps patients easily get through the most difficult part of recovery without opioid medications.  

Using Pain Medication Effectively- Tips for Making Sure Your Medication Does Its Best Job

  • Control Pain Before It Controls You- Pain is easier to manage before it becomes severe. Take your pain medications as directed, even if you’re not experiencing discomfort. 
  • Use as Directed– Pain medications are very safe when used properly, but take too much, and problems may occur. We’ll give you detailed information about the types of pain medications you can use and how much/often you should take. If your medication isn’t controlling your pain when used as directed, we need to know about it. 
  • Limit Opioid Use– We may recommend opioid medications for some patients after oral surgery. These medications are intended for short-term use only. Usually, after a day or two, pain can easily be controlled using over-the-counter or non-narcotic options. 

Recovery in comfort after your oral surgery with these tips from Hill Country Oral Surgery in Austin, TX. Call us to schedule your consultation: 512-327-7233.

Make the Most of Your Post-Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery

Tooth extraction is often a last effort if a tooth cannot otherwise be saved, but in the case of wisdom teeth, removal is necessary as a preventive effort. Many of our patients don’t have room in their jaws for these final teeth to fully erupt. Impaction, partial eruption, and difficulty keeping the wisdom teeth clean are common problems. Without treatment, wisdom teeth can cause alignment issues, foster tooth decay, and can lead to the development of cysts and other dental problems.

At Hill Country Oral Surgery, our expert dental surgeons and caring staff make the extraction process as easy as possible. Call today to schedule your consultation and to learn about your options for wisdom teeth removal.

Healing and Recovery after Extraction Surgery

Taking time out of your busy schedule can be difficult but is important to ensure proper healing. Most patients find that they are back to work, school, and other activities quickly. However, be sure to give your body the time it needs to heal and don’t rush into your usual routines. Returning to activity too soon can lead to complications after wisdom tooth removal.

How much time do you need for recovery after getting your wisdom teeth out? Basic timelines are provided below. Our team also provides personalized recovery recommendations before your surgery, so you know exactly what to expect.

  • Most patients will need at least 3 days of downtime and prescription pain medication. Don’t plan on attending work or going to school during this period. Many of our patients schedule their procedure for the end of the week and use the weekend as part of their recovery. This can mean less downtime if you’re worried about missing work or school.
  • You may still have some minor soreness after you’re able to return to work and school. Minor soreness typically lasts for about a week after surgery. This soreness should not interfere with your regular daily activities.
  • Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for at least 5 days after surgery.
  • Complicated wisdom tooth removal may require a longer recovery period.

Your recovery is an important time of healing. By giving your body the care it needs, you can feel confident knowing you have healed successfully and your oral health is protected.

After Wisdom Tooth Removal- What to Expect

Your recovery will progress through stages. For most patients, their comfort significantly improved after their second day of rest.

  • Right After Surgery – You’ll return home shortly after you have recuperated from sedation. You’ll need someone to drive you and help care for you, as you may be groggy. Bleeding is common at this stage, and you’ll need to change your gauze periodically. You can eat right away, even if you’re still numb. We recommend eating and taking your first dose of pain medication before the surgical anesthetic wears off, typically 2-8 hours after surgery.
  • The First Day – Rest as much as you can. You’ll be sore, but you can use pain medications to improve your comfort. Eat, rest, and take it easy. Ice packs can also be used to reduce swelling.
  • The First Couple Days – Most patients can return to daily activities after 2-3 days. You may be a little sore. Swelling and pain will decrease substantially each day after surgery.

Recovery Essentials- 3 Tips for Comfortable At-Home Care

Many of our patients are surprised by how quickly they heal after wisdom tooth removal. Our staff does our best to help you feel comfortable and rest while you are at home. These tips will help you have a better recovery from wisdom tooth removal surgery.

  • Call with any Questions – You aren’t alone during your recovery. Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns throughout the recovery process. We want to hear from you if you’re not healing as expected or if something doesn’t feel right.
  • Follow Your Recovery Instructions – We’ll give you detailed recovery instructions with tips for controlling bleeding, what to eat, medications, avoiding dry sockets, and how to carefully brush your teeth. Follow these instructions closely. We have created the recovery instructions to help you have a pleasant experience and avoid complications.
  • Avoid Common Mistakes – Many patients make the misstep of changing the gauze too soon or too often, waiting to take pain medications until the pain starts, not eating before taking pain medications, and getting physically active too soon. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll avoid uncomfortable complications like nausea, infection, and pain.

Make wisdom tooth removal a more pleasant experience by using your recovery period to the fullest. Contact us to schedule your wisdom tooth removal at Hill Country Oral Surgery, top oral surgeons in Austin, TX.

 

 

Bone Grafting Recovery

Get your teeth back! Dental implants can restore aesthetic beauty and function to your smile, but they are investment, requiring both time and financial commitment. Some patients will need bone grafting to achieve optimal results from their implants. This ensures that there sufficient support for your implants and helps to avoid broken implants. Bone grafting also improves the contours of your gum line, for a natural, healthy looking result.

If you need bone grafting, it may take additional time to prepare your mouth for dental implants. This guide will help you understand the recovery process after bone grafting. Contact us today to learn more about your options for dental implants.

Why Do I Need a Bone Graft?

When teeth are missing or removed, the supporting bone underneath shrinks and atrophies. The extraction process can also damage or remove supporting bone. Without sufficient bone quantity and quality, it can be impossible to achieve a healthy and strong dental implant. Bone grafting can restore the bone, helping to improve the results of your dental implants.

Bovine (cow) or human donor grafts are often used, eliminating the need for a second surgical site. This makes bone grafting easier and more comfortable for you, the patient. If large quantities of bone are needed, we may extract bone from the lower jaw to use in your bone graft. Bone can be harvested from the body with minimal risk and no cosmetic deformity.

What’s Recovery Like After Bone Grafting?

Recovery after bone grafting is similar to recovery after tooth extraction. Plan on reducing activity for 4-5 days, although most patients are ready to return much sooner than this. We’ll give you specific recovery instructions before your surgery so you can plan time off work and make needed preparations.

  • Pain– Many patients worry about pain after dental procedures. Most find the pain to be minimal and quite tolerable with the use of pain medication. We have a variety of anesthetic and pain management options for your procedure and recovery. Your first dose of pain medication is the most important. Make sure you take before the surgical anesthetic wears off as the initial pain is often the most difficult to get through.
  • Diet– Food intake will be limited for the first few days after your procedure. Do not chew over the graft site for the first week. Start with soft, easy to chew foods like mashed potatoes, pastas, and soups. Be careful with food temperatures to avoid burning yourself.
  • Hygiene– Good dental hygiene will help you avoid infections. We may provide rinses for you to use or antibiotics for you to take. We’ll give you detailed instructions on how to brush your teeth while you heal.
  • Contact Us– Get it touch if you have any questions or concerns throughout the recovery process.

When Can I Receive Dental Implants After Bone Grafting?

Timing for implants varies after bone grafting. Some patients can receive their implants right away and others may need to wait a few months after grafting. We can give you more information about expected timeline during your consultation.

Call and schedule your consultation today.

Gum Grafting Recovery

Gum grafting sounds like an intimidating procedure, but in reality, the name sounds scarier than the procedure and recovery actually are. The surgery itself is over quickly and recovery takes a couple of weeks. If you need gum grafting, come see us and learn about your options. Gum grafting is an important process and can improve your oral health. This guide will help you prepare for the recovery process.

How Painful Is Gum Grafting Recovery?

Your recovery experience after gum grafting will vary, depending on the specifics of your procedure. Gum grafts can be performed with tissue harvested from your body, typically taken from the palate, with gum tissue from the area needing treatment, or with donor tissues. The extent of your procedure and the type of tissues used will impact your comfort levels during recovery. The good news is, we have many options available for pain management and will help you create a plan to ensure your recovery is as pleasant as possible.

The mouth heals quickly and most patients feel better in just a few days. After an examination, we can give you a better estimation of downtime and an expected recovery timeline. Come see us!

Oral Care During Gum Grafting Recovery

Special attention to your oral health can help you to avoid infections and complications after gum grafting. We’ll give you specific recovery instructions after your procedure, but here are a few recovery guidelines to keep in mind as you prepare for your procedure:

  • Let the Tissues Heal– Brushing and flossing are important, but after gum grafting, you’ll want to skip these activities for a few days in the treated areas. Don’t disturb the transplanted tissues and give them time to heal.
  • Keep Clean with Rinses- We often use oral rinses to keep the mouth clean and to minimize plaque development after gum grafting surgery. Rinse your mouth as directed using the special solutions and instructions we provide.
  • Limit Physical Activity- You may need to limit your physical activity after gum grafting surgery for a few days. Avoid strenuous activities until you’ve been cleared by your doctor. You may need to take a couple of days off from work while you heal.

What Foods Should I Eat After Gum Grafting?

A soft, easy to eat diet is important during the healing process. Avoid hot (temperature) and spicy foods. Focus on soft foods like:

  • Eggs
  • Pasta
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Yogurt
  • Ice cream
  • Soups

Cool any hot foods to a cool, comfortable temperature before eating. We’ll let you know when you can safely resume your regular diet.

Gum grafting may sound scary but can save your teeth and improve your smile. Let us help you restore your mouth to prime dental health. Call today and schedule a consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery.

Tips for Recovering from Oral Surgery in the Summer

Are you getting dental implants or wisdom tooth removal this summer? If you are, keep reading. This guide will help you recover successfully this summer. Dental surgery isn’t always fun, but our goal is to make the process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Take Advantage of Extra Time Off

Summer is a popular time for oral surgery. Students needing wisdom tooth removal often use their summer break to schedule the procedure. If you’re lucky enough to have time off in the summer, schedule any needed oral surgeries. Use the extra time to fully recovery, without worrying about missed classes or work.

Stay Indoors

Hot summer weather is hard on a body that needs to heal. After your surgery, recover in a cool, comfortable area. You’ll heal quickly, but for those first few days, stay indoors as much as possible.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Proper hydration can be difficult during the summer. Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after surgery. You’ll know you’re getting enough liquids if your urine is close to clear.

Drinking sufficient liquid is important after surgery, but we have one big caution as you hydrate. Avoid using a straw if you’ve had a tooth extraction. This can lead to a painful condition known as dry socket, a condition that occurs when the blood clot becomes dislodged too early.

Focus on Hygiene

We’ll give you detailed instructions on proper dental hygiene after your procedure. These instructions will vary, depending on the procedure you’ve received and may include mouth rinses, brushing protocols, etc. Follow these instructions to prevent complications like infection, tooth or implant staining, etc.

Eat Soft Foods

Hot dogs and potato chips may be the official foods of summer, but aren’t the best choices right after oral surgery. For the few days, enjoy a diet of soft foods including mashed potatoes, soups, and pasta. Try not to chew over the surgical site for a week. Be careful with food temperatures to avoid burning yourself.

Take advantage of the break from school and/or summer vacations to schedule your oral surgery. Call today and schedule a consultation at Hill Country Oral Surgery.

Wisdom Tooth Surgery Recovery

 

Your dentist may suggest a wisdom tooth removal (or third molar surgery) for various reasons. It could be to prevent further oral complications or to help maintain how well your teeth look. Once your wisdom tooth has been removed, it’s wise to follow all aftercare instructions for your safety and fast recovery.

What to Do After the Surgery

For Swelling

It’s natural to have some swelling after your tooth has been extracted. To help with swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth. Do it intermittently; for example, you can apply it 20 minutes on, and then 20 minutes off. If the treated area was infected prior to the procedure, your dentist may suggest using warm, moist compresses rather than ice. You should do this within two days to minimize bruising or any discomfort.

For Bleeding

Bleeding will occur after your surgery for up to 24 hours. Try to avoid spitting as it may dislodge the blood clot from the surgery site. You may be asked to keep a gauze pad over the extraction site 30 minutes after the procedure. It is also an option to use a wet tea bag and place it over the treated site for 30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea bag will help contract the bleeding vessels that will eventually set the blood clot.

Cleaning Your Mouth

Typically, your dentist will allow you to brush your teeth or use mouthwash 24 hours after your surgery. However, in some cases, patients are permitted to use diluted mouthwash or salt water for mouth cleansing 12 hours after the procedure. Practice care when brushing teeth, especially at the site of extraction. You may also need to avoid doing rigorous exercise, smoking, or spitting for as long as there is bleeding.

Limitations on Food

Eating, drinking, and talking should be limited for at least two hours after the surgery. Once the bleeding stops, you can only drink clear liquids and eat soft food. To avoid dislodging of the treated site, you will be asked to avoid carbonated drinks. You must also refrain from eating foods like popcorn, pasta or peanuts that may leave particles in your socket.

Medications

Your doctor will prescribe medicine that will help you manage pain and prevent infection. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly as directed. If you take a strong narcotic medication, you must avoid driving or operating machinery as well as drinking alcoholic beverages.

When to Reach out to Your Dentist or Surgeon

Swelling and bleeding at the treated site will improve as the days go by. If you experience or notice unusual changes or no improvement of the extracted site, you may need to call your dentist. Here are some of the symptoms and signs to look out for that suggest you need to see your doctor:

  • Swelling gets worse
  • Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
  • Excessive bleeding despite of applied pressure
  • Throbbing pain 3-4 days after the surgery
  • Consistent bad taste in the mouth that cannot be removed by rinsing
  • Elevated fever
  • Pus in the socket
  • Nasal discharge in the form of pus or blood
  • Persistent numbness

Know More About a Wisdom Tooth Surgery

Our highly trained medical staff will be happy to inform you about a third molar surgery. Schedule a consultation to find out if you need a wisdom tooth surgery, or if you need a professional help after getting one.