One of the keys to a successful oral surgery is following the rules of recovery afterwards. You should always follow the post-operative instructions that your surgeon gives you to avoid complications and heal quickly. Here are some areas to concentrate on after oral surgery to help you achieve your recovery goals.

Pain
The amount of pain you experience depends on the procedure. Your surgeon will prescribe medications for pain management. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and consult your surgeon before taking any additional over-the-counter medicines. If you are given an antibiotic, make sure you take all of the medication so that infection will be adequately avoided.

Swelling
Swelling is normal after some types of oral surgery. Elevate your head with pillows, and use an ice pack on the outside of your face for the first 24 hours. Swelling should subside in 7 to 10 days. It’s also normal to have some stiffness in the facial muscles for up to 10 days after surgery. Bruising sometimes occurs, especially if your lower wisdom teeth were affected.

Bleeding
It’s common to bleed after a tooth extraction, and may continue slightly for up to 24 hours after surgery. Bite on the gauze that your doctor provided for one hour using firm pressure, and then gently remove it. Sometimes it’s necessary to sip water to moisten the gauze so that it comes out without restarting the bleeding. If your bleeding continues, contact your surgeon for advice.

Rest
You should rest for at least two days following oral surgery, and not participate in physical activity for 2 to 3 days. After that time period, you should be able to resume normal activities.

Oral hygiene
Avoid vigorous rinsing and spitting for the first day, and don’t use mouthwash. Brush and floss gently, but be careful about opening your mouth too wide. After the first day, try rinsing with a salt water mixture to help keep the surgical site clean and help the healing process.