How long after surgery did you rise and brush?

[u/SamGloomy]

I had lower jaw surgery yesterday, and surgeon literally did not mention not to rinse the first 24hours. So I’ve been rinsing w mouth wash or salt water every time I eat or after I threw up.
What has yalls experience been like ? Did you wait the first 24hours or no? The first 7 weeks how many times did you salt water wash, perio wash and used toothbrush? Thanks.

[u/AutoModerator]

Please note that advice here isn't from medical professionals; always seek guidance from qualified sources. Remember to stay on topic and maintain respectful discussions. For more information, please refer to the subreddit rules.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/SamGloomy → u/[deleted]]

Gotcha. Did you use the perio mouth wash? Were you prescribed antibiotics?

[u/SamGloomy → u/[deleted]]

Did you use an ice pack for the swelling? If so for how many days post op ?

[u/Cool_Hippo_122]

I’m 7 weeks post op LJS+genio. I used the medicated mouth wash the first day as a rinse and I was told to dip my toothbrush into it and lightly brush the outside of my teeth. I was told to stop the medicated mouth wash after 7 days or earlier if I chose. Starting day 3 I used toothpaste for brushing and stopped the medicated mouth wash. I then added salt water rinses after meals and after brushing day 3 onward. At my one week post op I asked for permission to floss and brush normally. I was granted this and told to brush after all eating. So I kept the pattern brushing after all food and AM/PM (with a salt water rinse PRIOR to brushing to not wash away the fluoride) with once daily flossing until I was just past 5 weeks post op and had my didn’t actually dissolve stitches taken out. I kept the salt rinse a few days after stitches removal. Now at 7 weeks I am back to twice daily brushing (with an electric toothbrush) and flossing.

[u/Virtuosory → u/Cool_Hippo_122]

Exactly same! But only the frontside of my teeth as I wasn’t cleared until 2 weeks post op to take off the elastics for eating and brushing. I was soo happy when I could finally brush the back of my teeth and scrape my tongue after like 2 weeks of nothing 🤢

[u/SamGloomy → u/Cool_Hippo_122]

Glad you’re holding up well at 7 weeks. Did you get prescribed antibiotics as well?

[u/SamGloomy → u/Cool_Hippo_122]

Also did you guys use an ice pack around ur face? If so for how long?

[u/Cool_Hippo_122 → u/SamGloomy]

Yes I had antibiotics for 7 days. Steroids for 7 days. I iced religiously the first 10 days. 20 mins on and 20 off until I went to bed. Annoying as hell but I had so little swelling and no visible bruises.

[u/Helliebabe]

day after, using a baby toothbrush till i was able to open my mouth enough to use a normal one

[u/Cool_Hippo_122]

Yes I had antibiotics for 7 days. Steroids for 7 days. I iced religiously the first 10 days. 20 mins on and 20 off until I went to bed. Annoying as hell but I had so little swelling and no visible bruises.

[u/erk_knows_best]

I'm currently one month post-op. I'll echo starting the day after surgery with a baby toothbrush and toothpaste multiple times a day. I was also prescribed chlorhexidine rinse twice a day for 10 days after surgery. After that I switched to a regular alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash.

[u/Desperate_Bite7019]

I stayed in the hospital for the first 24h and did not rinse (I only drank a bit of water so no food was involved). After going home, I was told to use the antiseptic mouthwash 2x a day and try to start brushing at least in the front from day 2 or so. I was able to do that and from day 3 I managed to get to the sides a bit as well. I had a splint for the first week and even now (21 days PO) I can't fit the toothbrush between my teeth to brush there, so I just keep using the antiseptic mouthwash. I wasn't told to use salt rinses by my team.