Steps to Get Ready for Oral Surgery

Any procedure a dental specialist performs on your teeth, gums, or jaw is called oral surgery. Preparing for oral surgery can frequently result in feelings of apprehension and nervousness, much like most other surgeries. The greatest method to reduce anxiety is to be prepared and aware of what to expect.

Patients are more likely to heal more quickly if they take the time to make plans for the time after oral surgery.

How to Prepare for Oral Surgery in Advance

You will most likely receive most of the preparation-related material from your surgeon, but you could also wish to conduct your research. The following information will help you get ready for oral surgery.

1. Consult a Dentist

A consultation with your dental surgeon is the initial stage of oral surgery unless it is an emergency. In a consultation, the doctor will discuss your surgical expectations, obtain a medical history, and advise you on which medications to avoid in the weeks leading up to the procedure.

Now is the moment to discuss sedation alternatives with your doctor and ask any particular questions you may have regarding the procedure. Write down your questions before the session to ensure you don’t forget anything crucial.

2. Arrange for Transport

The majority of oral operations are performed as outpatient procedures, therefore you will be released soon after the procedure. Since you won’t be able to drive yourself home owing to the anesthesia’s lingering effects, it is essential to make transportation arrangements.

Having someone stay with you for a night or two after surgery is also a good idea. This person can watch over you, contact the doctor if issues develop, and assist with caring for any kids or pets.

Following the procedure, the doctor will give you prescriptions for painkillers and antibiotics to take. To ensure they are there when you need them, arrange for someone to pick them up before you arrive at your house.

3. What to eat

Pre Surgery:

• Depending on the procedure, your doctor might advise you to abstain from food the night before, especially if general anesthesia is used.

• It can be advised to avoid eating for at least eight hours before the procedure.
• You might be able to eat a light meal a few hours before receiving local anesthesia.
• Before surgery, brush your teeth to reduce the bacteria that could enter the surgical site.

Post Surgery:

• Eating a diet high in soft foods is preferable, so you don’t have to exert much effort when biting or chewing.
• Food should be bland and soft; you might want to try protein powder drinks or beverages with added nutrients for a few days.
• Drinking beverages with a straw might create a dry socket; therefore, avoid doing so.

• After surgery, abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours.
• Before the anesthesia wears off and you can feel your cheek and tongue, you shouldn’t consume anything. You could unintentionally bite them if you eat while they’re still numb.

4. Medications

The surgeon might ask you to cease using blood-thinning drugs a few weeks before the procedure. Aspirin is one of these drugs, which can delay the healing process. Some doctors begin giving them antibiotics and painkillers to ensure their patients are comfortable before surgery.

As mentioned, someone should pick up some painkillers to be ready for you when you arrive home. Dentists utilize penicillin VK, erythromycin, clindamycin, ticarcillin, and metronidazole, among other antibiotics. Non-narcotic painkillers like acetaminophen with a prescription strength are included.

5. At Home

Before the procedure, you should start setting up your home for rehabilitation. Your bed linens are probably ruined, so switch them out for some clean, disposable ones. Gather a lot of cushions to keep your head up during the healing process.

Think about keeping games and reading materials on the nightstand and your phone close in case you need to contact them for assistance. Purchase soft meals in advance and have them ready in the refrigerator, such as yogurt and smoothie ingredients. Additionally, you should keep some ice packs on hand.

Dental Surgery Recovery Tips

• For at least a few days, sleep with your head raised.
• In the days following surgery, be as restrained and avoid heavy exercise as possible.
• To relieve discomfort and swelling, apply a cold compress.
• You can typically rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water beginning 24 hours following your surgery.
• Keep brushing and flossing your teeth.

What to anticipate during recovering

Patients who undergo oral surgery recover fully in the great majority of cases. After about two days, the discomfort and swelling should subside. Contact the dental surgeon if you’re bleeding significantly or are still experiencing pain despite taking painkillers. Call them if you experience nausea, vomiting, headaches, muscle pains, or other infection-related symptoms.

Time Factors for Surgery and Recuperation

The condition being treated determines how long the oral surgery takes. A dental implant can take months with multiple phases, but removing a wisdom tooth often takes less than two hours.

Recovering after a single oral surgery like a wisdom tooth extraction or root canal may take two weeks. Operating on the jaw may take up to five hours, and recovery could take a month to a half.

Dental Surgery Types

Among the causes of oral surgery are:

• Wisdom tooth extraction
• Root canal therapy
• Dental Implants
• Oral cancer
• Emergency dental removals
• Jaw surgery
• Injuries to the jaw and teeth
• Biopsies
• Infections

Emergencies That May Need Oral Surgery

While dealing with dental problems may not necessarily necessitate emergency care, making an appointment’s always a good idea. The following dental emergencies may necessitate oral surgery:

• Abscessed tooth
• Knocked out tooth
• Tooth pain
• Impacted tooth
• Dental implant complications
• Cracked, dislocated, or broken jaw joint

Dental Surgery / Oral Surgery by Primecare Family Dental

You may set yourself up for a speedy and painless recovery by paying attention to your dental surgeon’s recommendations and the aforementioned suggestions for getting ready for oral surgery. Primecare Family Dental can meet all of your dental care needs. To set up a meeting, get in touch with us.