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Things You Should Avoid After Oral Surgery
Posted on 4/10/2020 by Dr. Michael Allard
After any surgery, you will probably have some limitations. These limitations can help give your body the chance to recover from the trauma that any surgery creates. Many of the limits that people face after surgery involve things that you have to avoid. When it comes to oral surgery, it is best to learn what to avoid why to avoid it and how long to avoid it for.
The Obvious Things to Avoid
If you have just had oral surgery to fix a broken tooth or to pull out a tooth, it should seem obvious to avoid foods that are hard or sticky. They could easily damage the surgical site and can lengthen the amount of time it takes to recover.
Hard and sticky foods are not the only foods to avoid. You do not want to turn to acidic foods or spicy foods. The chemicals in those foods can cause discomfort and can slow the healing process. While you do need to continue to brush and floss after oral surgery, you should do so with care. Turn to a soft bristled toothbrush instead of a stiffer one after the surgery.
Some Less Obvious Things to Avoid
While some things to avoid are obvious, there are other things that are not so obvious but are very problematic for people recovering from oral surgery. Tops on that list is smoking and the use of tobacco. There are a few problems associated with smoking. The tobacco has chemicals that can damage the surgical site. The sucking on a cigarette can also lead to problems with a surgical site.
Along the same lines of smoking a cigarette is the use of straws in drinks. It may seem easier to eat food through a straw, but the sucking motion can cause blood clots to break loose and leave a person susceptible to problems such as dry sockets. The straws can also scrape the surgical site causing damage.
Whenever a person has oral surgery at our office, they are given a list of the do's and don'ts for a successful recovery. The more they listen to that list, the easier their recovery usually is.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment to ask any oral health questions you may have.
After any surgery, you will probably have some limitations. These limitations can help give your body the chance to recover from the trauma that any surgery creates. Many of the limits that people face after surgery involve things that you have to avoid. When it comes to oral surgery, it is best to learn what to avoid why to avoid it and how long to avoid it for.