Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Preventing Infection After Oral Surgery
Eleanor Crawford
Patients undergoing oral surgery typically fly through the recovery period without any problems. Because dental surgery is an invasive procedure, albeit not major surgery, complications such as infection can occur. Here are some ways to help prevent a post-operative infection after your oral surgery.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking after oral surgery can raise your risk for an infection known as dry socket. Smoking can also delay healing because it impairs circulation and can damage the small capillaries in the tooth socket. Other tobacco products such as chewing tobacco should also be avoided after your oral surgery because small tobacco pieces can get into your wound site and cause socket pain.
Your dentist may also explain that the "drawing in" motion that you do when you smoke may cause you to dislodge your blood clot from the surgical site, which can further delay healing and cause significant bleeding. The "drawing in" motion is also elicited when you drink from a straw or suck on lozenges or hard candies.
Change Your Gauze
Your oral surgeon will pack your socket with gauze after your procedure. You will also be sent home with a fresh supply of gauze and post-operative instructions about how often you should change your gauze after your dental surgery. If you do not replace the old gauze with new gauze per your dentist's instructions, you may be at risk for an infection. Blood-soaked gauze can harbor bacteria if left in the mouth for hours on end. Changing your gauze helps prevent bacterial growth and subsequent infection.
Finish Your Antibiotics
Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics after your oral surgery to prevent an infection. It is important that you complete the entire course of antibiotics because, if you do not, your risk for developing a socket infection may rise.
One of the most common reasons people don't finish their antibiotics is because they can cause an upset stomach, cramps, and diarrhea. Because of this, many dentists and oral surgeons recommend that patients eat yogurt containing live cultures or take an over-the-counter probiotic because antibiotics can eradicate the "good bacteria" in your digestive tract.
When healthful bacteria is eliminated in the gastrointestinal system because of antibiotic use or otherwise, you are more likely to develop diarrhea. Probiotics and yogurt help repopulate the gastrointestinal system with good bacteria so that the "bad bacteria" doesn't take over and cause diarrhea.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining a proper regimen of oral hygiene is essential in the prevention of infection after your oral surgery. If you can, gently brush your teeth and floss a couple times a day following your dental procedure.
Your dentist may also recommend that you rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution, however, do not swallow it. Salt is thought to have powerful antibacterial properties, so it is an excellent home treatment for post-surgical dental wounds.
In addition, rinsing your mouth out with saltwater helps dislodge pieces of food from your surgical site to help prevent infections. A saltwater rinse may also help soothe irritated gum tissue that may linger for a day or so after your dental procedure.
If you develop a post-operative infection after your dental procedure, you may not be aware of it. Here are some signs and symptoms of a dental infection to watch out for:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Increased pain a couple days after surgery
- Increased swelling at your surgical site after a few days
- Pus-containing drainage
- Difficulty opening your mouth
- Bad taste in your mouth
If an oral infection is left untreated, a more resistant infection may develop, or you may even develop a secondary infection.
If you believe you have a post-operative dental infection, visit a dental clinic like Mundo Dentistry right away for an examination and treatment, if necessary.
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