Planning for oral surgery is something that most people will do at least once in their lives.
Losing a tooth because of an accident, having wisdom teeth removed, or dealing with jaw-related problems that require surgery, are just a few of the reasons to visit an oral surgeon, and is something that can happen to anyone at any age.
So if you are planning a visit to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, whether on your own or because of your dentist's referral, knowing the facts about the process and procedures will help you deal with what might be a stressful time in your life.
We hope that we can help you with this experience by giving you some tips and tricks. With that, here are seven tips to help you cope with the surgical process.
- Recovering from oral surgery is similar to any type of surgical recovery, if not less troublesome. For the most part, as long as you follow your surgeon's post-care instructions, your recovery will go by quickly and smoothly. If the surgeon provides you with literature on how to handle the surgical wounds for after you get home, expedite the healing by following it closely.
- The night before your surgery should be about any steps that you need to finalize. Arrange transportation with family, consult any documents that you were given by your surgeon, and follow all pre-care instructions about eating and drinking. In most instances, never eat or drink for at least 12 hours prior to surgery. Remember, your safety is priority number one.
- Prepare your pantry for post-surgical meals. You will not be able to eat the things that you usually eat after oral surgery, so make sure that you are well-stocked on soft yet satisfying foods. Try to avoid crunchy foods or any type of food that could irritate your stitches. It is also advised that you avoid drinking out of a straw for at least 24 hours so that you do not cause dry socket.
- For 48-72 hours after the surgery, you will have swelling around the surgical area, which will carry over to other parts of your jaw and neck. To hasten recovery times, relax as much as you can and avoid overexertion. Rest for a minimum of three days after the surgery to keep your blood pressure low and avoid bleeding. After the initial surgery phase, look forward to around a month of recovery time for most effects to wear off.
- Continue to open your mouth even after surgery. While opening your mouth might be painful at first, it's important to work out the stiffness in your muscles and jaw so permanent damage doesn't set in. Just remain gentle and careful when doing so the first few times.
- Bleeding will happen after oral surgery, no matter the type of procedure you have done. Control bleeding by biting down on gauze or another sterile wrapping. If you can stand the flavor, many people agree that biting down on a teabag reduces pain, promotes clotting, and provides much-needed pain relief.
- Oral surgery is never as bad as people say that it is. Each person responds differently to things like anesthesia and recovery time, so your experience might be completely different from someone who had the same procedure. What's most important is that you take care of yourself after the procedure, and always listen to the instructions of your surgeon. If you feel that something isn't right with your mouth, a call to the oral surgeon's office will right the wrong.
For more information on how we can help you, please contact us today!