Oral Surgery Tips

Having oral surgery can be nerve-wracking, especially if it’s your first time. There are some risks during oral surgery but almost all of them can be avoided when you follow the after-surgery tips given to you by your doctor and surgeon.

Oral surgery is almost always an outpatient procedure including wisdom teeth removal, tooth fillings, and tooth extractions. You might also need a procedure for tooth decay. This means you will go home the same day you have the surgery once you come out of the anesthesia. Even though oral surgeries allow you to go home a few hours after the procedure, you still need to treat them like major surgeries when it comes to the recovery process. Otherwise, you risk getting an infection.

Follow the Rules

The most important thing is to follow the rules for eating, smoking, and drinking. Not following the proper aftercare instructions puts you at risk for infections and complications. If you are getting anesthesia through an IV, you need to follow the same guidelines as anyone would for surgery. Ask your surgeon for the exact rules of your surgery, but most of the time you cannot eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the surgery. If the procedure only requires local anesthetic, you can usually eat and drink as normal. Either way, you need to make sure you brush and floss before arriving for the surgery. You also should not smoke for 12 hours before the surgery and for 24 hours after. The longer you can go without smoking, the better.

Make Yourself Comfortable

You need to make sure you are comfortable with the operation. There is no need to dress up or wear makeup. You should also not wear lipstick or Chapstick, but you can bring lip balm after the surgery as most people get chapped lips. It’s also a good idea to avoid wearing perfume or body sprays that can have an overwhelming odor in the surgical room. The doctor might also ask you to put your hair up if it’s long so that it does not get in the way of the procedure.

You will also be asked to remove all jewelry including earrings. Most doctors will recommend you do not to wear contact lenses because your eyes will be shut during general anesthesia which can cause the contact lenses to dry out and cause damage to the eyes. Wear comfortable clothing. It should be loose-fitting. If you are getting an IV drip, you might want to wear something short-sleeved so that it does not get in the way of the drip. In most cases, the doctor will cover your clothing, but there is still a small chance you can get blood on your clothes. You might want to wear something old or something you do not care about getting stained.

Prepare Ahead of Time Your Food

After undergoing oral surgery, you will be put on a certain diet that includes no chewing and no spicy foods. It’s best to stock your fridge and pantry with items before the surgery especially if you do not have someone that can go out and buy things for you. Avoid buying spicy and acidic foods. They can inflame the gums. You can get some premade protein shakes to make sure you get adequate nutrition and calories. Soups that are ready to eat and instant oatmeal are also great choices that can be made quickly and are healthy. You should also avoid a straw for drinking. Sucking on a straw can cause a dry socket which is extremely painful. Although it might seem easier to drink from a straw, it can make recovery much more extensive.

Organize Care and Transportation

You should not drive yourself home from your appointment. Before the day of the surgery, make sure you have someone who can take you home. It’s best if they bring you to the office and are there waiting for you to finish the surgery. Anesthesia can impair your cognitive function and reflexes so you should never drive yourself. Most doctor’s offices will not allow you to leave by yourself after your operation. If you do not have anyone to drive you, let the doctor know. They may be able to arrange transportation for you.

You can also take Uber or a ride-sharing app to help you get home safely. Have a nurse walk you to the car. For more complicated surgeries, you should ask someone to stay a few nights with you, so you are not alone. They can check on you, prepare food for you, and make sure you are taking your medications on time. If you have young children, you should also arrange for someone to take them to school and watch them in the evenings so you can just focus on recovering. If you have general anesthesia, it’s best to have someone help you with your kids for about 48 hours after the operation.

Ask the Doctor All Questions

Before you have any surgery, you need to make sure you know all the details. Your Boise dentist should explain everything to you including recovering time and the do’s and don’ts with anesthesia. If you have questions, make sure you ask them before the procedure begins.

If you have any concerns, you can also bring them up with our dentist at Times Square Dental. They are here to help you and make sure you are comfortable before the operation begins. You should also let the doctor know if you are on any medications as they could interact with anesthesia or other drugs you might be given. Let the doctor know if you are feeling anxious as they can ease your worries and let you know the risks and complications if you are concerned. You should also make sure your insurance covers the surgery before scheduling it.

Contact a Dentist in Boise Today

We are one of the best Boise dentists ready to serve you. We do all oral surgeries with care and compassion. Contact us today and our caring dental team will be ready to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!