How to Prepare Your Home BEFORE Oral Surgery

#oral surgery prep #oral surgery recovery

Dec 18 • 2 minute read

How to Prepare Your Home BEFORE Oral Surgery

While you may not feel lucky when you hear you need oral surgery, there are benefits to being able to schedule your procedure. Primarily, you’re able to prepare for your recovery, and, as with most things in life, preparation is key for a successful recovery.

We know that dental surgery isn’t fun but making a few adjustments beforehand can mean the difference between resting comfortably and the alternative. Implement the tips below and you’ll be on your way to a successful recovery:

Stock your pantry. Though eating may be the last thing on your mind as you head into surgery, your post-operative diet plays an important role in recovery. Restrictions can vary depending on the procedure, but typically softer foods are desirable for the first couple of days only. Make sure that you intake proper nutrition to promote healing. Protein shakes and fish are particularly helpful as a softer source of protein in the first couple of days. Initially, it is a good idea to avoid spicy or acidic foods such as tomato-based sauces and orange juice, which can cause burning or pain if ingested too soon after oral surgery. To further help your body in the healing process, be sure to stay hydrated but do not use a straw (for the first few days at least) as the sucking motion can cause bleeding by dislodging blood clots.
Get ready for a little R&R (rest and recovery, or Recumbency and Relaxation, or Rating your surgeon with 5 stars and Reposting how awesome your oral surgeon is). Make the most of this mandatory downtime by planning ahead. Cue up movies or TV shows you’ve been meaning to binge, grab some good books, and get ready for a few days of sedentary entertainment – doctors’ orders! (this is also an excuse to get out of doing dishes, laundry, etc) To help minimize swelling it’s important to keep your head elevated, so keep pillows and blankets within arm’s reach of your couch, recliner, or bed. Preparing your rest and recovery area before surgery will help you avoid last-minute scrambling, making for an easy transition to home.
Line up caregivers. In addition to transportation to and from surgery, you will also need to delegate care for those who rely on you. Sometimes patients downplay the effects of oral surgery, but your body will require rest so it’s best to arrange for a friend or family member to manage child and/ or elder care and walk Rover.
Stay ahead of pain and infection. The amount of pain after oral surgery varies depending on the extent of the procedure. Rest assured that our dental team will prescribe any necessary medication to prevent infection and/or manage pain. Upon initial consultation as well as postoperatively at discharge you will receive an explanation of the detailed postoperative care instructions. To ensure a smooth recovery, it’s essential that you follow these instructions and return for your post-op appointment. If you experience any recovery related problems or have questions don’t hesitate to contact our office. We are always available if you have an emergency or any concerns.

We pride ourselves on delivering the best patient experience possible. From your first call and consultation with our periodontists through the entire treatment process, our team is dedicated to providing quality patient care. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.

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