The recovery process after bone graft surgery is extremely important. In fact, it’s so important that if you don’t recover properly, your chances of success greatly decrease. So, to help you recover in the best way possible, our Midwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery team is happy to provide you with the following tips:
-Stop the bleeding: It’s common to experience oral bleeding in the first 12 to 24 hours. However, you can help the situation by placing a clean gauze pad on the area and applying pressure to the pad for about an hour. After the time has passed, check to see if the bleeding has stopped. If it hasn’t, place a new, clean pad over the area and repeat the process again.
-Reduce swelling: Swelling in the mouth, cheeks, eyes, and sides of the face is completely normal. You can reduce the swelling by icing the area with an ice pack. Simply place the pack outside the affected area for 30-minute intervals. Simply ice for 30 minutes and then take a break for 30 minutes. Please do this for the first 24 to 48 hours.
-Take medications: Your dentist will help you reduce pain and prevent infection by prescribing pain medication and antibiotics to you. Make sure you follow the instructions and take the tablets or liquid as needed. This will help you have a more pleasant recovery time.
-Watch your diet: It’s important to drink plenty of liquids, like water, milk, and juice, for the first 24 hours. It’s also strongly recommended to only eat cool, soft foods that won’t irritate the surgical area. Be careful as you chew and please only chew on the opposite side of your mouth for now.
-Get plenty of rest: Rest is greatly needed for the recovery period. It’s best to avoid strenuous activity for the first few days because your caloric intake may be reduced and you may also be severely dehydrated after your surgery. Exercise will only weaken you further.
For more information and details about bone graft recovery in Savage, Shakopee, and Eden Prairie, Minnesota, please feel free to call 952-226-7940 and talk to a member of our caring and helpful team. Dr. Hueler, Dr. Lyu, Dr. Voegele and our team are happy to help you if you just give us a call!