Best Ways to Keep Swelling Down Following Oral Stitches

Posted on 4/10/2018 by Alyssa O'Steen

Oral Swelling DFW Oral Surgeons TX 75028-1795

If you had any type of oral surgery, you will likely have some form of oral stitches.

You could even have them if you've had an extraction. However, this depends more on the type of extraction and the location.

Unfortunately, with any type of oral surgery or extraction, there is going to be swelling and with swelling comes varying degrees of discomfort. So how can you keep the swelling down and minimize the amount of pain or discomfort you are experiencing?

Methods for Keeping Swelling Down

Always follow the instructions that are given by the oral surgeon for the care of your mouth and the stitches. This will help keep swelling down and pain away by maximizing your ability to heal.

Do not try to spit or drink from a straw, as this can cause further issues in the mouth and dislodge the blood clot that forms when stitches are placed in the gums. You want to make sure that you keep the mouth as comfortable as possible. This also means eating soft foods that are not going to irritate the area and trigger additional inflammation.

Take the medication that was prescribed and recommended. Our oral surgeons will make sure you are given something to help manage pain, whether it is an over-the-counter suggestion or a prescription pain reliever.

Ice and cold packs on the area can also help to reduce swelling and make the mouth much more comfortable after oral surgery. Refrain from putting heat on the area, as this can irritate it. Cold can help to reduce inflammation and it can be placed on the outside of the mouth and cheeks.

However, remember to apply in intervals, for example 10 minutes on and then 10 minutes off. You do not want to use ice packs for long periods of time, as this could actually hinder your recovery.

If you want to learn more about how to best manage the swelling after your oral stitches, contact our office today. We're glad to help!

Dr. Shillingburg and the amazing team at DFW Oral Surgeons are proud to provide exceptional care, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and many other services to residents in and around Argyle, Bartonville, Highland Village, Lantana, Double Oak, South Denton, Denton County, and surrounding areas. Not only has Dr. Shillingburg won best Oral Surgeon of Denton County in 2017 and 2018. He has over 10 years of experience treating patients in his state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center in Flower Mound, TX.

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John C. Shillingburg, DDS

Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Best of Denton County 2019 Committed to Community Excellence - DFW Oral Surgeons

Dr. John Shillingburg is proud to be a native Texan. After graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science and from the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio with a doctorate degree in dental science, Dr. Shillingburg completed a general dentistry residency at Fort Carson in Colorado. Read more.

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John C. Shillingburg, DDS in Flower Mound, TX

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