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Reasons Cheeks Can Swell After Oral Surgery

Posted on 8/10/2020 by Dr. Chad Rebhun

So, you have had some teeth extracted or undergone oral surgery, and the procedure was successful. You then wake up one morning with swollen cheeks and wonder what went wrong. But swollen cheeks after oral surgery doesn't mean that there is a problem, in fact, it means the opposite!

Why Are My Cheeks Swollen?

After having any oral surgery procedure, you should expect some level of swelling. How much you will swell will vary for every person and some may not swell at all. But if you do experience this, it is perfectly normal.

You should expect your cheeks to swell after oral surgery as it's a sign that your mouth is beginning to heal. Any type of surgery is traumatic for the body, so your body swells as it tries to heal the damaged tissue. Swollen cheeks are a sign that the surgery site is starting to heal, which is what we want to see happen.

Although, while swelling is normal and a healthy response to surgery, it shouldn't last too long. The swelling will often begin the following day and will usually start to go down after 2-3 days. If your swelling doesn't improve after 3 days, it could be a sign of infection and you should contact our team to schedule a consultation.

Ways to Reduce Swelling

When you have any type of surgery, it damages body tissues. This causes blood cells to gather in the area, resulting in swelling. While any swelling is normal, you may want to help reduce it. Apply a hot compress directly onto the cheek to help reduce the swelling as well as ease any discomfort. You should also try to keep your head elevated when you lay down.

If you have recently had oral surgery and are experiencing some unexpected symptoms, get in touch with our team immediately. If your swelling doesn't go down after a few days or gets worse, contact our office to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Dental Blog | Optimum Oral Surgery Group
At Optimum Oral Surgery Group, Dr. Donald G. Rebhun has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Read the dental blog posts here.
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