How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Oral Surgery Appointment

By Your Health Magazine

Oral surgery seems like it is one of the most difficult things to go through, but a little preparation and the right mindset will make your recovery far less difficult than you may think. Whether it is due to wisdom teeth or the need for dental implants, understanding what will happen during oral surgery can help reduce a lot of your fear.

Oral surgery is intimidating. It doesn’t matter what kind of procedure you need; the anticipation of surgery is often worse than the recovery. Preparation for oral surgery is just as important as the procedure itself. If you don’t plan before oral surgery, it can increase your recovery time. If you take the time to adequately prepare yourself, you are likely to recover quicker than you would expect.

Preparation is the key

While oral surgery may be a challenge for many, Oral Surgery Services have advanced significantly over the years. Surgical methods are less invasive and recovery time is shortened for faster patient outcomes. Even with all of the improvements made to Oral Surgery Services, one thing has remained constant.

The Oral Surgery preparation is in the hands of the patient.

Prior to any oral surgery procedures, the Oral Surgeon will give you instructions to prepare you for surgery. Fasting may be required before certain procedures, and other procedures may require medication to be stopped or started within days of surgery. Following the doctor’s instructions will give your body the best opportunity to heal quickly and avoid potential risks.

Studies have found that 58.7% of people have cited oral surgery to be the most anxiety-inducing of dental procedures. Getting prepared and planning for oral surgery is vital to reducing those fears by asking the right questions and knowing what to expect.

Preparing your body

The preparation for oral surgery begins seven days before the procedure. Nutrition is one of the first things that can be improved. Your body needs nutrients to heal after surgery, so eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein, vitamins and minerals is an excellent start. Eating plenty of vegetables, protein, and fruit will help boost your immune system.

It is also important to get plenty of water before the appointment. Hydration is vital to all functions of the body, from circulation to mending of tissues. Drinking plenty of water in the week leading up to Oral Surgery Services will help prepare the body.

It is a good idea to take inventory of any medications. Blood thinners, supplements, or over-the-counter medications need to be discussed with the Oral Surgeon. Taking anything that could interfere with blood clotting or that may interact with the anesthesia needs to be planned out.

The night before and day of

The night before the oral surgery should not be used as a celebration. Most Oral Surgery procedures will require general anesthesia and therefore require that no food or drink after midnight. It is a standard safety procedure.

Sleep is also essential. The body needs to be well-rested to function at its best. Preparing the environment for a good night’s sleep will make a difference. Removing potential distractions and turning off screens is an excellent way to ensure the patient can sleep.

On the day of, make sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing. Remove all jewelry or other items that may have to be removed for oral surgery. Arrange for transportation to and from oral surgery, as patients are not allowed to drive after procedures.

Setting up your recovery area

Nothing is more frustrating than getting home after oral surgery and realizing that the recovery area is not ready. Setting up a recovery area will help eliminate any problems.

Some of the essentials for a recovery area should include:

Extra pillows for elevating the head while sleeping
Ice packs and soft towels
Soft food options such as yogurt, soups, and mashed potatoes
Medications within reach
Gauze pads
Water bottle with a straw

Head elevation while sleeping is one of the best ways to reduce swelling in the days after surgery. It is not very comfortable, but it makes a significant difference in swelling.

Soft foods will be a staple for a few days after oral surgery. Preparing some easy soft food options is a good way to eliminate the stress of trying to figure out what the patient can eat when the mouth hurts.

Questions to ask

Before going into oral surgery, there will be a meeting with the surgeon and surgical team. It is better not to leave the office without a full understanding of the following:

Questions to ask:

What type of anesthesia will be used?
What is the length of the procedure?
What are the specific post-operative instructions?
When can the patient return to their normal activities?
What are the warning signs that something might be wrong?

Studies have shown that 37% of people fear general anesthesia for oral surgery. Having the right answers and knowledge can help reduce some of that anxiety and gain the confidence needed for the surgery appointment.

The surgical team will cover the options for pain management, recovery times, and restriction on activities. If the patient does not understand something, they should not hesitate to ask questions.

Planning for after oral surgery

After oral surgery is where the real work begins for the patient. Taking a few days off work is recommended for most patients. The body needs rest after Oral Surgery Services.

For more complex surgeries, it would be in the patient’s best interest to have someone with them for the first 24 to 48 hours. Help with some tasks and extra observation will go a long way for patients.

Immediately after oral surgery, the doctor will provide medication for pain management. It is best to take medication on time and not wait for the pain to be unbearable. Setting phone alarms for medication times will help prevent missing a dose.

Saltwater rinses can be started the day after oral surgery. It is essential not to irritate the surgical site. There should be no spitting or aggressive rinsing/swishing of the mouth.

Avoid common mistakes

Smoking will hinder the body’s ability to heal after oral surgery. Smoking prevents the body from circulating blood properly and will slow the healing process and increase the risk of complications. If the patient needs to smoke, the best time to quit or take a break is now.

Another mistake is using a straw for drinking. Drinking through straws can dislodge the blood clot at the surgical site. The blood clot is necessary to protect the area while it heals, so straws should be avoided for at least one week.

There is also no reason to ignore symptoms that seem to be off. Some discomfort is to be expected; however, there are instances where the patient should contact the surgeon. Some of these symptoms include excessive bleeding, severe pain that worsens, fever, or any swelling that does not seem normal. If the patient is ever unsure, it is better to call the Oral Surgeon office.

Success

Success in Oral Surgery Services recovery means following all post-operative instructions and attending follow-up appointments while maintaining good oral hygiene as the patient heals. Swelling is the worst about 48 to 72 hours after the oral surgery and then should subside each day. Discomfort will continue to subside over the first week of recovery. If symptoms do not seem to be improving or are getting worse, contact the Oral Surgeon.

Most patients will find that their oral surgery and recovery are much easier than they expect with proper preparation. Recovery time will be much faster if patients are proactive with their care. Oral surgery is never fun, but that does not mean it is the end of the world. With the proper preparation and mindset, oral surgery and recovery should be manageable and perhaps easier than expected. The mouth is remarkably good at healing when provided the best opportunity.