Understanding Post-Surgical Inflammation After Oral Surgery

By Lisa

Once you have had oral surgery, you may ask yourself in front of the mirror why your face is so swollen. You are not alone, as after surgery, inflammation may come as a surprise and even frighten those who cannot predict this phenomenon.

The upside? It is quite natural.

It belongs to the recovery process of your body, as you have undergone a surgical procedure for the cavity problem, including wisdom tooth removal or dental implantation. Therefore, it is anticipated that some swelling and discomfort will result from the surgery. As the swelling is expected to reach its maximum between 48 and 72 hours after the operation, it will naturally begin to subside.

Being informed about the norm and knowing how to cope with it can make your recovery carefree and painless. Here, we will discuss the reasons for its occurrence, the duration of its persistence, and provide easy dental surgery recovery tips to help you recover quickly.

Why Post-Surgical Inflammation Happens After Oral Surgery

Following the many different types of surgical procedures you may have undergone with a dentist or oral surgeon, particularly that in which a tooth was extracted or jaw surgery was performed, your body is certain to respond to the surgery in the same manner in which it would respond to any injury, for instance, bleeding and initiating an immune response in the injured area. This reaction occurs as a function of protection under an immune process, related to inflammation with the ensuing reaction of swelling, heat, redness, and sometimes pain.

Your mouth has a lot of sensitive tissue and there is a high proportion of blood vessels in all that tissue; therefore, it is predictable that the inflammatory reaction would develop quickly and severely. Even safe wisdom tooth extractions result in visible swelling during the first days. There is nothing unusual about this, and it is rarely indicative of infection or complication.

Common Areas Affected by Inflammation

The symptoms of inflammation are likely to appear in:

● The jawline and the cheeks

● Below the eyes (to do extractions top)

● Under the chin and on the neck

● The surgical site itself

Individuals usually do complain that they feel pain when they are eating, speaking or sleeping because of the tightness and pressure that the inflammation causes. Knowing where the swelling is most probable to happen may also come in handy when planning and managing said occurrence.

What to Expect Within the First 48 Hours

Sometimes this comes as high as 24-48 hours in the time of the operating procedure. You can expect the jaw ache, mouth opening difficulty and slight bruises.

How Inflammation Changes by Day 3 to Day 7

The swelling usually ceases to enlarge, and in some cases, it starts reducing by the third day. Any inflammation that takes longer than a week needs to be investigated by your dentist, who is working on oral surgeries. The discomfort generally fades away using the over-the-counter remedies, and sometimes the bruise will even get worse when the swelling goes down.

Effective Dental Surgery Recovery Tips to Manage Inflammation

To accelerate the recovery of your body, you need a set of home remedies, lifestyle factors, and personal care.

Home Remedies That Help Reduce Swelling Naturally

A few remedies to fall back on are:

● Rinses: Start 24 hours after the surgery; use salty (salt) water rinsing to put an end to bacteria and cooling of swollen tissues.

● Turmeric milk, or golden milk: It contains curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory drug.

● Chamomile tea bags: They can be refrigerated and then placed on the cheeks to soothe and cool down.

By including all these recovery tips in the daily routine of dental surgery, it will be possible to minimize the inflammation, and the rate of healing will increase.

When to Use Ice Packs and Elevation Techniques

The ice is your best friend in the first 48 hours. Use cold packs after 15- to 20-minute intervals, and leave some time to wait. Make sure you sleep with your head elevated by using additional pillows, as the effect of gravity is to encourage draining of excess body fluids and the deterrence of blood pooling.

As far as this dental surgery recovery advice is concerned, it is highly significant when carried out on a regular basis in the early stages of the postoperative process.

Keeping a Soft Diet to Minimize Irritation

The food that you consume contributes significantly towards the management of inflammation. Adhere to soft, non-acidic food such as:

● Applesauce

● Mashed potatoes

● Yogurt

● Smoothies (lipstick-free)

Do not consume crunchy, spicy or hot food because they may irritate the surgical place. A soft diet will guarantee that your recovery tissues are not interfered with, which is a crucial factor in any smart recovery tips list.

Medical Treatments That Help in Faster Dental Recovery

There are times when trading home remedies would not help. Your oral surgeon can prescribe:

● Medications such as ibuprofen that are anti-inflammatory

● Anti-infection antibiotics

● Use of steroid rinse or drugs to check swelling

In Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery, we make sure that each and every patient is given an individualized post-treatment plan. Regardless of whether you have undergone implants or surgery for swallowing problems, a well-tended recovery plan can significantly impact your healing process.

Red Flags That Need Immediate Attention

Even though inflammation is not a complication, certain symptoms may show complications. You should contact your oral surgeon immediately when you experience:

● Swelling that worsens after day 4

● Fever (higher than 101°F)

● Foul discharge; pus

● Shortness of breath or esophagus swallowing problems.

● Unresolved numbness

Neglecting these symptoms may be a stumbling block and hindrance in recovery or, worse still, complicate the problems. This is not what you are usually supposed to experience when following the recommendations on post-dental surgery treatment, so there is nothing wrong with asking for assistance.

Final Thoughts

Post-surgical inflammation can be somewhat daunting; however, it is an entirely natural occurrence that is part of the body's healing process. Knowing the schedule and adopting the clever recovery rules of dental surgery, you will get back to normality in little time.

At Charleston Oral and Facial Surgery, we aim to be there for you every step of the way, from your first visit to your last follow-up. Whether you’re recovering from a simple tooth extraction or much more complex, you need individualized attention and expert care.

To take a step closer to an easier recovery: contact us and schedule your follow-up appointment to receive tailored expert knowledge relative to your specific case and considerations.

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