Dos and Don’ts Before and After Oral Surgery

People always need oral maxillofacial surgery for several reasons, such as injuries that affect the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face. You might also need oral surgery if you need to get an extraction or a tooth implant.

Oral surgery usually seems scary, but you might be surprised that the procedure might flow much better than you expected, especially if you properly plan. Proper planning will improve your chances of recovery at home.

Mostly, the surgeries will be outpatient procedures and require anesthesia. So, knowing what to do before and after the surgery is critical in your recovery. Therefore, you will need some tips to have a complication-free time. So, let’s check out what you can and cannot do before and after oral surgery.

Dos and Don’ts Before Surgery

Let’s begin by checking out the Dos before oral surgery.

• Carefully Go Through Your Pre-Op Instructions

When you visit us, our dentist in Clearwater will provide you with instructions prior to your surgery; ensure that you read them. You will get the necessary information about the anesthesia being used and how you can prepare for it.

• Get Your Medication Beforehand

Once you’ve undergone oral surgery, you just want to head home and rest. So, there’s a high chance that you might not leave the house to go to the pharmacy. So, get your prescription medication a day or two before surgery.

• Get Someone to Drive You

Ask a family member or friend to give you a ride from the office. You will need someone to drive you home because anesthesia might take almost a day or two to leave your system completely.

• Sleep Well

Rest well before your procedure to reduce the physical and emotional stress that comes with fatigue.

Don’ts

• Avoid Smoking

You shouldn’t smoke for at least 12 hours prior to your oral surgery. The chemicals found in tobacco products make it difficult for your body to heal and might hinder clotting, which is the first stage of healing.

• Avoid Eating

When you are about to undergo oral surgery, avoid eating for no less than 12 hours. You can drink water almost six hours before the surgery. You can indulge in a very light meal six hours before surgery if you receive local anesthesia. But clean your teeth after the meal to avoid post-operation infection.

• Avoid Certain Medication

During your consultation with our oral surgeon near you, you will give a list of medications (prescription and non-prescription). You can also disclose whether you are taking supplements, herbal medication, etc. If there is anything that might cause complications during the oral surgery, our dentist will alert you, and you might have to stop using the medication for a few days or hours.cl

Dos and Don’ts After Surgery

Dos

• Eat Soft Foods

After the bleeding has stopped, you can begin indulging in soft foods. Ensure you only consume liquids or soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, soups, etc., the first two days after your surgery.

• Clean Your Mouth

Your mouth needs to be clean to reduce the chances of infection. You will also have to use a mouth rinse for two days. You can also use warm, salty water for the first two days to remove the debris from your mouth, especially after eating.

• Apply Ice

One of the best pain remedies after oral surgery is ice. You can use a cold compress to reduce the swelling, which usually occurs after oral surgery. You can place it on your face for 15 minutes and then take it off for another 15 minutes. Repeat this activity for about two hours.

• Rest

Healing takes place much faster when you rest well. So, reduce your physical activity and then rest as much as possible. Always keep your head propped when you are lying down.

• Take Your Medication and Supplements

You will receive prescription medication that you will have to take as instructed to ensure that you are comfortable and the risk of infection is minimal. You can also use supplements to promote healing.

Don’ts

• Avoid Hot Foods and Drinks

Hot foods and drinks are not good for your mouth, especially after oral surgery, since they can cause more pain, increase inflammation, and even burn your mouth.

• Avoid Crunchy Foods

Crunchy foods and hard stuff can increase pain since they need more force to chew them. So, you can avoid these foods for about three weeks.

• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol

As mentioned before, tobacco products have chemicals that are detrimental to our health. These chemicals also hinder healing; therefore, healing might take longer, and complications might arise. Alcohol also hinders healing, plus drinking alcohol when taking antibiotics or pain medication can cause the drugs not to work.

We Are Here For You

If you need help, have questions, or need dental services, contact our dentist in Clearwater at Sunset Point Dental to book an appointment.