How to Speed Up Recovery After Orthognathic Surgery

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Since orthognathic surgery in Coral Springs may affect how and what you eat, it’s only natural to feel nervous and anxious before your procedure. The best way to calm your nerves is to know what to expect. While your dental care provider won’t hesitate to give you information to ensure a smooth recovery following your surgery, we’ve compiled some tips to help you return to normalcy as quickly as possible.

patient eating soft food during the recovery of orthognathic surgery coral springs

What You Should Do After Your Jaw Surgery

Follow a Liquid Diet Immediately After Your Appointment

You’ll want to be careful about using your jaw right after surgery. Your oral surgeon may instruct you to follow a liquid diet for a period. Besides reducing jaw use, a liquid diet minimizes unwanted pain. You don’t have to settle for water, juice, and milkshakes. You can turn fruits or vegetables into liquid meals if you have a good blender or juicer.

Eat Foods that Are Easy to Chew

Once your dentist gives you the go-ahead for solid foods, starting with easy-to-chew foods, including yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, applesauce, ground poultry, and soft-cooked fish is best. Since adding these solid foods to your regular diet helps restore jaw muscle strength and flexibility, it speeds up your recovery.

Manage Your Discomfort

While your oral surgeon will prescribe pain medication to manage discomfort, applying a warm compress to your face is one of the best ways to keep pain under control. Besides reducing pain, regular heat application can minimize swelling. It’s important to note that you may develop constipation due to your pain medication and limited diet. However, drinking plenty of water and adding prune juice to your daily fluid intake can help prevent this unwanted side effect.

dentist showing model of bottom teeth to a patient who's about to undergo orthognathic surgery in coral springs

Do You Need Orthognathic Surgery in Coral Springs?

At Oral Facial Reconstruction, we provide the expert care our patients need. Contact us today to make an appointment.