Swelling After Oral Surgery — How Long It Lasts and What to Expect

We get it: visiting a dentist can be terrifying, even if it’s just a regular check-up. If it’s an oral surgery that we have coming up, well, it can be an actual nightmare, even if it’s just a simple procedure we’re talking about, such as dental implants. However, while scary, things don’t have to be as bad as they seem, especially if you prepare for them in advance and know what to expect. Today, we’re helping you prepare for swelling after oral surgery, seeing how long it usually lasts and giving you some tips on how to deal with it.

Before we start, if you’re looking for a Chicago oral surgery and implant center, head to this link and find answers to all your questions. But, without further ado: How long does it take for swelling to go down after oral surgery?

How Long Does Swelling Last After Oral Surgery?

It doesn’t matter what kind of oral surgery you have — you are going to experience some swelling. In addition, you might see some bruising as well, even outside the mouth (i.e., on your cheeks and the rest of your face).

What’s important to note is that swelling does not necessarily manifest immediately after the surgery. Sometimes, it takes up to two days for any signs of swelling to appear, so don’t be afraid if you notice things are starting to look different when you look in the mirror.

Naturally, the type of procedure you underwent will also be an important factor. If you had a wisdom tooth extraction, you’d probably be fine within a week, with no signs of swelling left. But, if you need, for example, dental implants, you might see some swelling even months after the surgery because it takes the implants somewhere between three and six months to fully integrate with the bone.

Why Do Oral Surgeries Cause Swelling?

Why do we swell after surgery? It’s simple: when the tissue gets damaged, blood rushes into it, which results in tumescence. And you already know that tissue gets damaged during oral surgeries. It does even after simple tooth extractions.

How Bad Is It Going to Be?

That depends on the procedure and the precise location of the affected tissue. Usually, the swelling is not a reason for panic, and you will not experience anything that you can’t handle with some good counseling and painkillers. In fact, a skilled dentist might perform simpler procedures quickly and effectively, making sure you walk out of their practice with minimal damage.

When to Be Concerned

Of course, it is always possible that you’re dealing not only with expected post-surgery symptoms but some additional problems as well, such as infections. It is always important not to freak out and to stay level-headed, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, make sure you contact your dentist:

• Increased pain and tenderness — If the pain keeps getting worse and worse despite medication, waste no time and call your dentist immediately.
• Discoloration — Discoloration might just be a consequence of bruising, but if you think things aren’t looking as natural as they should be, seek professional help.
• Swelling reaching extreme levels — As we’ve said, the type of surgery will determine the severity of the swelling. But, if you’ve had a simple surgery, and the swelling is not what your doctor described, get in touch with them.
• Fever — Fever is usually a sign of an infection, so don’t ignore it.
• Trouble breathing — Trouble breathing is one of the surest signs that you should contact your dentist, especially if it is sudden and uncontrollable. 

How to Reduce Swelling

So, swelling is a given, but can you do something to make it less severe and noticeable? Yes, in fact! You can do quite a few things that will help you speed up recovery and reduce swelling.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is the best way to make sure your recovery is speedy and successful. Once the surgery is done, your dentist will explain to you what you need to do to keep your mouth hygiene at desirable levels since some kinds of surgery might render traditional cleaning and brushing methods unfeasible. Whatever regime they prescribe and suggest, make sure you follow it religiously because your recovery is going to depend on it.

Salt Water

Salt water is one of the best swelling remedies. It will help clean your mouth, and the sodium in the solution is going to serve as an antibacterial agent. If your doctor gives you the green light, mix a cup of warm water with about a tablespoon of salt and rinse your mouth with it. It might feel uncomfortable, but it works wonders!

Get Enough Rest

All doctors recommend rest, and for a good reason. Your body goes through a lot during surgery, so you’ll need to let it recuperate and regain strength. Rest plenty, and try not to exert yourself too much, or you’ll end up disrupting your body’s rhythm and delaying recovery further.

What About Other Complications?

Swelling is not the only pesky problem that keeps us awake at night. It usually goes hand-in-hand with things like bleeding and pain. 

Bleeding might be the least of your problems, though. It usually stops first, sometimes even within 24h of your surgery. You’ll get plenty of gauze strips to keep the blood at bay, but should the bleeding persist and become a reason for concern, be sure you contact your dentist immediately.

As for the pain, it’s probably going to persist as long as the swelling does. Of course, it will all depend on the type of procedure you underwent and how complicated it was. To deal with the pain, your dentist will prescribe some painkillers, and you can use ice packs on the swollen area, but be ready for persistent aches if you’re getting something like dental implants.