Upcoming Oral Surgery? 5 Vitamins To Take For Improved Healing And Recovery

When it comes to oral surgery, there is a risk of infection afterward. If bacteria enters the mouth and gets into the surgical site, it can create a serious infection that can result in complications as well as the potential for additional surgeries. Luckily, there are vitamins and supplements that you can take to help speed up the recovery process and improve healing after surgery, which can reduce the risk of infection. Here is a list of vitamins and supplements, along with their recommended dosages, that you should take before and after oral surgery:

1. Zinc

Zinc is a very powerful vitamin to take after surgery. Research shows that it can help to promote faster and efficient wound healing after surgery. According to Mercola, you should increase your zinc intake to 30 milligrams a day roughly two weeks before your oral surgery and continue that same dosage for the same amount of time afterward. If you begin to feel overly nauseous, decrease the amount of daily zinc intake until the nausea has diminished. 

2. Omega-3 Fish Oil

Omega-3 fish oil can help reduce inflammation following surgery, which can, in turn, help reduce the pain that you deal with and speed up the overall recovery process. Roughly one to two weeks prior to your surgery, you should stop taking your daily intake of two to four grams of Omega-3 fish oil. Following surgery, you can begin taking the supplement again, but you'll want to approve it with your surgeon first. This is because of the fact that Omega-3's can reduce the clotting of blood, which may increase your risk of unnecessary bleeding. 

3. Vitamin B

Vitamin B-6 can help reduce fluid retention in the face and mouth that occurs following an oral surgery. It can take days or weeks for swelling to go all the way down following a major oral surgery. This is especially true when you can't move around too much. Luckily, vitamin B6 can help speed that time-frame up so that you don't have to walk around with a swollen face for too long.

4. Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help to encourage the production of collagen, which is needed to help strengthen the skin, blood vessels and muscles. According to WebMD, vitamin C helps to ensure that your wounds heal properly and quickly. Mercola recommends taking somewhere between 500 and 1000 mg three times per day. However, this dosage does need to be reduced if you begin to have loose stools or pain in the abdominal area.

5. Bromelain

Bromelain is a pineapple enzyme supplement. WebMD states that bromelain can help to reduce tissue and muscle swelling at the surgical site. Mercola says that bromelain capsules should be taken roughly 10 to 30 minutes before eating. You should begin taking bromelain as soon as possible following your surgery due to its benefits.

For more vitamins and supplements that you can take and should stop taking before and after oral surgery, talk to your surgeon ahead of time. This will ensure that your recovery process is smooth and quick. 

To learn more, contact a clinic like Iowa Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, PC


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