Preparing for oral surgery requires you to know the details of your dental procedure, follow given instructions, make the appropriate arrangements, and find ways to handle your anxiety beforehand. By going through these steps, you’ll ensure that your dental treatment is a success without unexpected pain or complications.
The National Library of Medicine says that around 25% of the world’s population deals with dental fear in one way or another. When you follow our guidelines listed below, you can feel reassured that you’ve done everything possible to make your surgery a breeze for both you and your dentist.
Understand the Procedure Details
There is often a lot of fear in the unknown. Hearing the words “oral surgery” without more information can conjure up stress and anxiety since it feels like such a big idea.
One key pre-surgery preparation you can do to help alleviate these unknown fears is to ask questions:
- What is the step-by-step process of the procedure?
- Will the procedure need only numbing, or will you need sedation?
- How long will the procedure take?
- What kind of pain and swelling is common for this kind of procedure?
- Which symptoms do you need to look out for that will need emergency care?
Having these answers can do a lot to put fears and anxiety at ease. You’ll know what to expect throughout the entire process, so there won’t be any surprises. You may still feel some fear, but with these answers to help you, finding calm can be much easier.
Share Your Medical History
To make certain you receive the best care, you need to tell your dentist your medical history. Even small incidents can be relevant.
Trying to hide something from your dentist could put you and your dental care in danger.
When in doubt, make sure to ask your dentist what kind of information they need to make an informed decision about your treatment. They’ll be happy to work with you to cover all the medical bases.
Follow Pre-Surgery Instructions
Depending on the type of surgery, your dentist might send instructions you need to follow before the procedure. This is most often for when a treatment requires sedation, as you shouldn’t eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand.
However, each dental procedure is unique. If your dentist gives you guidelines to follow, you must try to follow them to the best of your abilities.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification, but make sure to do so well in advance.
Arrange Transportation
Another thing to consider is transportation to and from the dentist’s office. Sedation in particular will require you to have someone’s help getting home. Many wisdom teeth removal patients, for example, will need hours of rest before sedation effects wear off.
If you’re unable to find appropriate transportation, ask your dentist if they offer any kind of services to help with this issue. Your safety is paramount to all doctors, so it’s possible that they can give other options in this situation.
Prepare Your Home
When you come home from your procedure, you need everything to be ready for you to rest and relax without interruption. You should be able to sink into your bed or couch without any impediments as soon as you get home.
This is why preparing your home beforehand is such a gift to your future self. Some recovery area preparations to consider could include:
- Easy access to ice packs
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Plenty of gauze nearby
- Pain medications
- A variety of soft foods, like yogurt, soup, applesauce, or eggs
- Understanding from family that you need rest during this time
- Complete cleaning or childcare tasks that will bother you during your resting time
Try to think ahead and get everything prepared so you can simply rest for as long as possible.
Talk to Your Support System
A support system is invaluable when it comes to recovering from any kind of surgery. Inform your friends and family about the procedure and don’t be afraid to share your fears or ask for help.
Having this kind of support can make the entire experience easier and safer. For instance, a friend hosting a slumber party at their house for your kids can be just what you need to recover faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Go to Sleep for Oral Surgery?
This all depends on the complexity of the treatment. For many procedures, such as adjusting jaw alignment, sedation is necessary. Simple extractions and dental implants most often only need localized numbing.
If you’re worried about being put under for your dental procedure, make sure to talk to your dentist beforehand. They can help alleviate those worries or offer other options.
What Not to Do After Oral Surgery?
During oral surgery recovery, it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions carefully. General things to avoid include:
- The use of straws
- Vigorous rinsing
- Spitting
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Hot foods and drinks
- Crunchy foods
How Many Days of Rest After Oral Surgery?
You should dedicate and prepare your schedule to accommodate at least 2 days of full rest, but a few extra days are always helpful. Taking time off work or school is vital to ensuring you can rest and follow after-surgery protocols. Make sure to take it easy even after those first few days are over.
It takes a little over a week before you can expect to be back to your full level of activity.
Finding Stress-Free Oral Surgery in Sonoma County
Needing oral surgery can be frightening at first, but when you know you’re in good hands, it’s easier to set that stress aside and get the treatment you need. Choose a dental team that you can trust so every interaction is comfortable.
Under the leadership of Dr. Anderson, our team at Matthew Anderson DMD MSD is here to help elevate your dental care experience. We offer top-of-the-line treatments in the Sonoma County area, which can include oral surgery. We’ll work with you to ensure any dental anxiety is approached with compassion and insight.
If you’re ready to improve the health and look of your smile, we’re ready to help. Contact us today to learn how to get started!