Infection Control

Your oral surgeon has certain protocols in place to protect your health and the health of others in the office.

However, once you leave the office after a procedure, you still need to be careful about infection.

What is actually involved in preventing infection?

Dr. Craig Little, an oral surgeon in Summerville, SC, meeting with a patient for oral surgery

In-Office Standards
and Your Actions

Play Key Roles in Preventing Infection

Similar to any other medical setting, there are a variety of rules in place in your surgery center for infection control. While your surgeon can give you specific information about recovering from your treatment, there are some general guidelines you can follow to prevent infection from occurring. Keep in mind that once an infection begins, it can easily spread to other areas of your body. Infection control is crucial to both your oral and overall health after a dental procedure or oral surgery. 

Standard Precautions
for Infection control

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has certain guidelines in place that apply to all patient care in all settings where health care is provided. These infection prevention practices help keep everyone involved safe from health issues. According to the CDC, standard precautions include:

The CDC also requires that dental unit waterlines use water that meets drinking water standards and are regularly cleaned to prevent buildup. These methods represent the baseline your dentist must meet to control infection within their practice. 

At-Home Care

For Preventing Infection

Infection after an oral surgery procedure is rare, especially when you follow proper steps for preventing infection. After your procedure, your surgeon will provide you with specific post-operative instructions based on the type of treatment you received. Your oral health is dependent on how well you follow these directions. Some general tips for avoiding infection include:

Some swelling and minor bleeding is normal after an oral surgery procedure. However, if these conditions persist, you should contact our office. 

Warning Signs

Of An Infection

Keep an eye on your oral health in the days following your procedure. There are several symptoms you can look out for if you are concerned about an infection, such as:

Report Distressing
Symptoms

Keep in mind that some degree of swelling, bleeding, and pain is normal. Your dentist can explain what to expect after your specific procedure. However, if symptoms seem excessive in any way, contact your dentist immediately. They can assess your oral health and determine if an infection is present.

Related to This

Locations

We have 2 locations in the 

greater Summerville, SC area 

Barony St. & W 4th St. N

Contact us