Preparing for any type of surgery requires a great deal of following directions and can lead to no small level of uncertainty and nerves. Oral surgery is no exception to this rule. Oral surgery often comes with decreased risks in comparison to other major forms of invasive surgical procedures. However, it is by no means a small deal. Depending on the reason for surgery, you may find yourself facing several weeks of recovery. This could often include making changes to your dietary habits as your mouth, teeth, and gums heal from your procedure.
Preparing for oral surgery by following your oral surgeon’s instructions carefully is important. It is the best way to ensure you are able to have the safest procedure possible. Rest assured, following instructions will help you get on the road to a swift recovery.
10 Oral Surgery Prepping Tips
- Pay close attention to the pre-operation instructions your oral surgeon’s office provides you. Your dentist may provide you with a short list of basic instructions. These can include details like what type of foods are okay to eat leading up to surgery, and whether any medication use should be stopped prior to the procedure. Read this entire list very carefully so you don’t miss anything important.
- Don’t wait until after your operation to pick up your medications from the pharmacy. Make sure your dentist office has the correct pharmacy information in their system and pick them up ahead of time. You will not want to have to wait for your medications to be ready at the pharmacy.
- Make sure to arrange transportation to and from the surgical procedure center. Ask your dentist ahead of time how long the procedure should last. Make sure to note also, how long before you will be permitted to go home. Have a family member or close friend either at the surgical center the entire time, or arrive there with plenty of time to drive you home. You will not be permitted to drive after having the anesthesia.
- Talk to your doctor ahead of time about the types of foods you’ll be permitted to eat following your surgical procedure. Make sure you make a trip to the grocery store. Try to do a bit of meal prep before your procedure so that you don’t have to struggle with pain and hunger as you recover.
- Make sure to follow your dentist’s guidelines regarding fasting prior to your procedure. Any procedure that requires anesthesia will require fasting, and this will often include abstaining from water.
- Pay attention to what you are bringing to the surgical center to wear home. You won’t want to wear any clothing that is too tight or uncomfortable. Sometimes swelling will develop following the use of anesthesia—even in areas not related to the procedure. Following any surgical procedure, you want to make sure you are putting comfort and safety first.
- If you typically use tobacco products, it is important to stop smoking for at least 24 hours prior to your surgical procedure. You also need to plan on not smoking for at least 24 hours after.
- It is always recommended that you arrive early to any scheduled physician’s appointment, but it is especially important with any form of surgical procedure. At a minimum, you should arrive at the center 20 minutes early.
- The night before your procedure, make sure you are getting as much quality sleep as possible. Rest is important to recovery and you don’t want to be playing catch-up afterwards.
- Don’t wait until after your procedure to ask your doctor questions—regardless of how important or trivial you think they may be. Contact your dental office with any questions that come to mind in the days leading up to your oral surgery.
Get Advice From An Expert
For more information about the best ways to prepare for your upcoming oral surgical procedure, the best thing to do is contact your surgeon. Our experts at Sunrise Facial and Oral Surgery are always available to help answer any uncertainties as you prepare for your upcoming dental services. Contact us with any questions or concerns.
