Many people dread going to the dentist and avoid it as much as they can. So when we talk about oral surgery, the fear is even greater! Luckily, if you need to have a procedure done, don’t worry. The Internet is here to tell you all you need to know before you go into oral surgery.
You’ll be groggy after
People usually don’t take oral surgery as serious as they would other kinds of surgery and that’s a mistake. You will feel groggy after you wake up and you will need to lay it off and have someone by your side to help you. It’s best to have a family member or a friend accompany you to the place of surgery and get you safely home. If you don’t have anyone available, don’t resort to driving yourself! Even local anesthesia can dull out your reflexes and make you a lousy driver. So, make sure to order an Uber!
If you had a more serious operation, you might want to have someone by your side through the night or check up on your regularly. Those patients with kids should hire a nanny or have everything prepared so they don’t have to think about anything but napping when they get home. And don’t rush with eating too. Don’t make your first bite until you can fully feel your face, otherwise, you can chew up your cheek and tongue.
Know how to prep
If your surgeon is planning to use general anesthesia on you, you need to go through a good pre-op preparation process. No drinking or eating anything (no water either) for eight to twelve hours before you come to the office. Those that require a local anesthetic can have a light meal or snack one or two hours prior but need to brush and floss very thoroughly before they see their surgeon. No smoking for at least 12 hours before the surgery either and refrain from cigarette smoke for 24 hours after.
It will be confusing
You might have a hundred questions now, but when you meet your surgeon, you might freeze. So, do write a list of all the questions you might have on your mind. Ask about the procedure, anesthesia and how you’ll feel after. And even if you think a question is silly, don’t hesitate to ask! Maybe you have anxiety about being put under, so you can ask questions about that part. Or maybe you’re comfortable with doing a more experimental and innovative type of surgery like all on 4 dental implants that can restore your smile. This procedure is perfect for all people who have multiple missing teeth and various types of breakdowns in soft and hard tissue, so you too might benefit from this revolutionary treatment. You’ll not know until you ask! If you know all that you want to know, the entire experience will be much less scary.
Wear something cozy
You definitely want to dress comfortably. Something loose-fitting with short-sleeves is preferred, especially if you’re scheduled to have a general anesthetic. Makeup, jewelry, and ties are best left at home. You might also want to opt for glasses instead of contacts for that day because your eyes will be shut for a longer period of time and contacts might cause irritation.
Plan for post-op care
Don’t leave anything to chance. Make sure to have a few meals cooked that are soft and require little to no chewing. You might also want to avoid anything spicy and overly acidic for a few days in order to avoid gum irritation. During your early recovery, you might want to resort to protein shakes since they are an amazing source of nutrients yet they require no chewing. Oatmeal is also a great choice. You might want to avoid drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours after the operation or however long you’re taking prescribed pain killers or antibiotics.
Now that we talked about oral surgery, recommending Thomas Ocheltree.
Thomas Ocheltree is a surgeon that you can trust who completed the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency: Christiana Care Health Systems and has Surgical Training also attended Augustana College and Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and also has Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training: United States Navy: Advanced Education in General Dentistry.
Now that you know what to expect and how to prepare for your oral surgery, things might be looking a little brighter. When everything is done and healed, you’ll be so grateful for your bravery with your brand new smile!
Now that you know what to expect and how to prepare for your oral surgery, things might be looking a little brighter. When everything is done and healed, you’ll be so grateful for your bravery with your brand new smile!
