Oral surgery can be traumatizing and painful. A few steps before and after surgery will greatly decrease your recovery time, and also ensure that you feel more comfortable. Above all, it is very important to consult with your doctor about aftercare for oral surgery before the surgery takes place, as every doctor has tips and tricks which may help you. You should also follow directions from your doctor, especially in regards to eating and drinking during the day or two prior to the surgery.

One of the most important things you can do to help your body recover from oral surgery is to eat well. Some patients lose weight after oral surgery because of difficulty eating and nausea. This is not desired, as your body needs nutrition to heal itself. Take vitamin supplements in the period leading up to the surgery, especially vitamin C, and continue to take them after the surgery. Also lay in a stock of nutritious soft or liquid food, such as liquid dietary supplements designed for cancer patients, and rich broths. You may not feel like eating complex food immediately after your surgery, so stick with mild clear foods and smoothies.

Avoid foods which are likely to irritate the surgical site. Candidates are hard and crunchy foods like chips, hard candies, and crusty bread. You should also avoid acidic foods, like lemons, because they can cause a stinging pain, and you may want to avoid sweets after oral surgery as well, as your mouth can be extra sensitive to sugar. After eating, rinse your mouth with a salt rinse or prescribed mouthwash to keep the surgical site clean.

Pain usually accompanies oral surgery, although the surgeon will have given a you a long acting analgesic shot at the surgical site. Pain has been shown to interfere with the healing process, so take prescribed pain medications on the recommended schedule. When you run out, switch to over the counter pain relievers taken as needed, and do not take any pain medications on an empty stomach. You may also find it helpful to apply ice packs to your cheeks to help reduce swelling.

In addition to pain medications, most doctors will prescribe antibiotics after oral surgery. It is very important to complete the full course of antibiotics, to ensure that your mouth stays healthy. In addition, you do not want to contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria which is becoming a global health problem.

By taking care of your body as you recover from oral surgery, you will find your pain and healing time greatly reduced. You may want to consider getting a massage or participating in yoga after your surgery, to further relax and heal your body. If you have any doubts about strange bleeding or pain, do not hesitate to consult your surgeon about them. Most surgeons prefer to be informed about emergent issues, and they can determine whether or not the problem is serious.