While oral surgery may seem overwhelming, there are plenty of ways to prepare yourself for the procedure ahead of time. Knowing how to prepare for oral surgery can help reduce your anxiety and make you feel more prepared for the process. It’s essential to follow all instructions given by your dentist before and after your surgery. Let’s look at some of the critical things to remember going into oral surgery and common complications worth talking to your dentist about.
Understand Your Procedure
Your dental surgeon is an expert when it comes to their field. That said, you should have a general idea of what to expect when approaching oral surgery. First, always be willing to ask questions leading up to the surgery. Your medical team should be able to answer any questions you may have and give you a good idea of what to expect regarding recovery, care, and caution after your surgery.
Preparing for Oral Surgery
The exact preparation requirements before your procedure depend on the practice and surgery you’re going into. Still, you can do some general things to prepare yourself for surgery better. First, ensure you know what you can and cannot do after surgery. If you need a ride home, make sure you’ve got one planned.
Being under generalized anesthetic makes it unwise or impossible for you to drive yourself home, so ensure you have someone who can bring you to and from your appointment. You’ll also want to check the limitations on you while you’re recovering.
While it’s unlikely you’ll want to run a marathon or lift heavy packages, it’s best to know what you should and shouldn’t do before you undergo surgery and for how long these restrictions apply. You should also check if you need to fast before your surgery and what kind of food restrictions (if any) you should follow while in recovery.
Be sure to dress comfortably, and avoid tight-fitting or complicated clothing. For example, while lace-up boots may seem like a good idea for fashion, they tend to become frustrating after anesthetic.
Healing and Signs of Infection
Finally, and most importantly, permit yourself to rest after your surgery. Even if you feel a thousand times better after your surgery, your body still needs time to recover. Modern surgeries are safe and effective, but your body is still working hard to heal, so give it the time and comfort it needs to heal properly.
Your dental team will review any particular signs of infection or issues with your procedure. However, some generalized symptoms of infection to keep an eye out for, like excessive pain, bleeding, pus or inflammation at the surgery site, or a persistent bad taste or smell in your mouth. Contact your dental team if you have any questions or concerns post-surgery. It’s always a good idea to catch potential complications before they become serious instead of waiting to see if they go away on their own.
If you have any questions about oral surgery or would like to schedule an appointment, call our office at (303) 798-4967. Here at Southbridge Dentistry, we work hard to keep our patients informed through every step of their dental care. So, contact us today if you have concerns about oral surgery or want dental advice.