By Dr. Aastha Chandra

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10 Aug 2021

What To Avoid After A Dental Surgical Procedure?

• DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL FOR 24 HOURS – Avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours after your oral surgery, as it can interfere with the healing process. And make sure that you do not drink any alcohol while you are on any pain or antibiotic medication that it may interfere with.

•  DO NOT SMOKE – Smoking is an unhealthy habit, but smoking after a surgical procedure can cause some serious problems. It can greatly delay the healing process. Cigarette smoke contains chemical toxins that can delay healing and be dangerous to your gum and mouth tissues. If you smoke and expose your healing gums to these toxins it can result in serious complications, including dry socket, inflammation, or infection. Not only will smoking cause this, but other tobacco-related habits, like dipping or chewing, can increase the healing time, cause the area not to heal, or cause dry socket.

• DO NOT SPIT – Another typical habit is spitting. Spitting can dislodge a blood clot, triggering bleeding and severe dry socket pain. If you feel like you need to spit, gently rinse water in your mouth and then let the water passively fall into the sink. After brushing, which should be conducted with caution, let water soak in your mouth and let the toothpaste flow out of your mouth.

• DO NOT SUCK OR USE A STRAW – It is a very common thing to drink through straws. In this regard, don’t do anything that requires a sucking action, as this causes suction and may dislodge the clot.

• AVOID PHYSICAL EXERCISE FOR 24 HOURS – Exercise can lead to an increase in blood pressure, which can cause the extraction site to bleed. Worst of all, the blood clot that grows in the extraction area after surgery may be dislodged, leading to dry socket.

• DO NOT BITE YOUR LIP TO CHECK FOR SENSATION – As the area is numb, it may result in a wound due to constant biting.

• DO NOT EAT ANYTHING HOT, HARD OR SPICY FOR 48 HOURS – Don’t consume any hot food or drinks until after you are no longer numb, so that you don’t inadvertently burn your mouth.

• DO NOT RAISE YOUR LIP TO INSPECT THE AREA OF SURGERY – Any excess tension to the area can lead to rupture of the sutures.