Within the first 24 hours after your teen's orthognathic surgery, their pain medication will begin to wear off. Once this happens, they will experience the discomfort that comes from inflammation. The inflammation will cause the surgical sites to swell up and feel irritated. It is important to get the inflammation under control as soon as possible. This will ensure that the recovery process is as easy as possible. The longer you go without addressing the inflammation, the worse it will get until your teen's body begins to heal. Luckily, there are a couple tips that you can begin using a few hours after orthognathic surgery and other such emergency dental services to help your teen overcome inflammation.

Give Them a Warm Salt Water Rinse Every Few Hours

Warm salt water rinse is often the main remedy for all dental care issues. The salt water rinse is effective because it works as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Not only does it keep the area clean of bacterial infection but it helps to soothe and inflammation that is already there. You can create your own salt water rinse for your teen by dissolving any kind of salt in a cup of hot water. You can use either table salt or sea salt. Allow the water to cool, then instruct them to hold the mixture in their mouth. Once it comes time to remove the mixture, instruct them to open the mouth and allow the salt water to slowly run out on its own. The rinse should be used every few hours and they should try their best to avoid swallowing.

Use Heat Therapy for Their Surgical Sites

Heat therapy is great for reducing inflammation after a dental operation. You can use heat therapy by soaking a towel in hot water, wringing it and applying it to the outer parts of your teen's mouth. In addition, you can boil hot water, allow it to cool, then pour it into your teen's mouth and instruct them to hold it there. They need to hold the water in their mouth until it is no longer warm. The heat from the water will help to reduce swelling and other forms of inflammation near their surgical sites. The longer that you apply the heat to the area the better the results will be.

Before doing either of those things, though, make sure to consult with Family first Dentistry LLC or whichever other dentist performed your procedure. If they suggest taking care of yourself using alternative methods, then do so. Just make sure to explain to them exactly what you plan on doing, such as rinsing or heat therapy, and see if they have any other additional tips that can help you out.

The quicker that you work to help your teen overcome inflammation, the easier their recovery will be. Therefore, use these tips as a guide to make this happen.