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Can You Suck on Ice After Oral Surgery?

It is a common practice after surgery for people to turn to ice to keep their mouth and body hydrated. When you are talking about oral surgery, this is not always the best idea.

To get the liquid out of ice requires sucking on the ice. This could cause problems for a surgery that many people are not aware of. It is a good idea to learn about how sucking on ice can impact the surgical site and why a person needs to show care after their oral surgery.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION

After oral surgery like any type of surgery, it is very important to stay hydrated. The use of anesthesia can leave you with a dry mouth. Getting liquid can help keep the mouth and the surgical site clean and clear of debris. Water in the form of ice or some other way can help replace the saliva in the mouth as it recovers from the procedure.

If you do not drink anything after surgery, your body will become dehydrated. This can lead to many problems that will not help the recovery from oral surgery. Most people should follow a liquid and soft food diet after oral surgery to help avoid the problems associated with dehydration.

WHY SUCKING ON ICE IS NOT THE RIGHT IDEA

Ice is water and for many people after surgery, it is the easiest way for them to tolerate the water their body needs. In the case of oral surgery, it can also represent a danger to their recovery. Sucking on anything could impact the surgical site.

If there is a blood clot that forms to protect the surgical site, the sucking action could dislodge the clot. If that happens a condition known as a dry socket can form that can lead to infection and more problems at the surgical site.

It is important to stay hydrated after oral surgery, but there are better ways to do it than sucking on ice. Take time to learn a few alternatives before turning to ice.

For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Meet Our Oral Surgeons

Dr. Chad Rebhun

Dr. Rebhun is a certified diplomat by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He practices the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, including dentoalveolar and wisdom tooth surgery, sedation, general anesthesia, and oral reconstruction with dental implants.

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