Whether you have had a simple tooth extraction, an impacted tooth removal or a more complex surgical procedure, here are some tips to follow at home that will help you to reduce or even avoid postoperative complications.

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1- Bite lightly into cotton compresses placed in your mouth, maintaining constant pressure for about 45 minutes. If you find, after removing the compresses, that the bleeding is still profuse, you can put more (or a wet and wrung out tea bag) and bite into them for another 45 minutes, still maintaining constant pressure. Slight bleeding is normal after surgery. Even if your saliva is tinged with blood, don't worry.

2- Avoid rinsing your mouth or spitting. Also, try to keep your head higher than the rest of your body when you lie down. It helps decrease swelling and bleeding.

3- Following surgery, it is normal to feel unwell for 24 to 48 hours. The degree varies from person to person and depending on the type of surgery. To alleviate this discomfort, you must take the prescribed pain relievers, at least on the first day. If you don't feel the need to continue the next day, you can take a less potent pain reliever, but avoid drugs that contain aspirin.

If you are prescribed antibiotics, you should take all the tablets to fight the infection.

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4- Surgery often causes swelling. To prevent or reduce swelling, it is recommended that you apply ice cubes wrapped in a wet towel as soon as possible after surgery: no more than 15 minutes per hour, however, and ONLY during the first few months. 24 hours, and do not let this prevent you from sleeping because sleep is essential for a rapid recovery.

5- It is possible that the movements of the jaw will be more or less painful following surgery. In some cases, this sensitivity can last from 7 to 10 days. In this case, avoid straining your muscles. Adjust your diet accordingly: soft and cold foods the first day and increasingly firm the following days. After 24 hours, if there is no more bleeding, rinse your mouth 5 to 6 times a day with salt water {1/4 tsp. in a glass of water).

6- Brush your teeth normally, being careful not to irritate the healing area.

7- Do not smoke for at least 24 hours to avoid slowing down the healing process and developing an infection. If the pain or bleeding persists beyond 24 hours, we invite you to make an appointment with a general dentist at Clinique Dentaire Zini.