If you need a tooth extraction, a bone graft, or dental implants, we offer oral surgery at our office. Oral surgery is any surgery done on your mouth or jaw. Thanks to local anesthetic, surgeries are pain-free. What about after the surgery? Here’s how to care for your teeth:

Rest

Your body needs rest after any surgery, including oral surgery. Take it easy on a bed or a couch with your head propped up. Avoid hard physical activity or heavy lifting for at least several days. The timeline for recovery depends on the surgery you’re healing from, so we’ll provide instructions on how much rest you need.

Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol

Tobacco and alcohol both disrupt your body’s healing ability. Avoid these activities for at least 48-72 hours while you’re recovering from oral surgery.

Clean Your Mouth

It’s possible to get an infection after surgery, so it’s important to keep your mouth clean. However, you don’t want to brush the area or rinse on the day of your surgery. The day after your surgery (or when we’ve told you it’s okay), you can resume your oral hygiene routine, but be very gentle around the surgery area. You can rinse with warm saltwater. Always follow our instructions for good hygiene.

Eat Soft Foods

While you heal, stick to a diet of soft foods. That includes warm (not hot) soups, smoothies, scrambled eggs, yogurt, bananas, and mashed potatoes. Most people are back to their normal diets after 1-2 weeks assuming there haven’t been setbacks in your recovery.

Oral Surgery at Jackson Smiles in Jackson, Tennessee

Oral surgery can be intimidating, but Dr. Patel and the team are committed to providing patients with a safe, comfortable experience. We’ll always provide aftercare instructions. If you’re experiencing severe pain, unmanageable swelling, or other problems after surgery, please don’t hesitate to call us. Contact us today with questions or to set up an appointment!