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Are you experiencing chronic facial pain? Or perhaps you have impacted wisdom teeth? Whichever the case, your dentist will likely recommend that you undergo oral surgery.
Oral surgery refers to any surgical procedure done in or around the jaw and mouth. This is performed by a dental specialist or oral surgeon trained to do different orofacial cavity surgeries.
Several conditions require oral surgery in Fort Lauderdale. There are also a couple of procedures available for each situation, such as:
- Dental implants
- Gum graft
- Root canal
- Wisdom teeth extraction
- Jaw tumor or cyst treatment
Regardless of the cause or the treatment you need to undergo, the fact remains that you must be ready for the procedure. Here are six things you need to do to prepare for oral surgery:
1. Talk to your surgeon
Many people clam up during their meeting with an oral surgeon as the doctor explains what the procedure entails. From the rundown about the anesthesia, to the operation and recovery time, they listen quietly and avoid asking questions.
But whether you think it’s silly or feel uncomfortable about certain things, you mustn’t just keep your mouth shut about things that could be bothering you.
Make sure that nothing is left unspoken, especially if it has something to do with a health condition or a different medical procedure that you haven’t discussed yet. You must also let your surgeon know about any medication you are currently taking, be it prescribed or otherwise.
Remember that the more the oral surgeon knows, the better you can avoid drug interactions and other complications during the procedure.
While you’re at it, verify whether your insurance can cover the procedure or not to avoid an unpleasant surprise with a rejected insurance claim. The dental office should be able to help you with this.
2. Read the pre-operation instructions
People often neglect reading the instructions or manual on different things, and pre-operation instructions don’t seem to be an exception. Still, you should remember those instructions because they were given to you to be read and understood.
You see, these instructions contain helpful information about the planned anesthesia for the surgery. It also lets you know how you can prepare for the surgery, including any special instructions pertaining to the specific procedure you’re about to undergo.
3. Arrange for your post-operation transportation and care
After talking to your oral surgeon and reading pre-op instructions, the next things you should prepare for are your post-operation transportation and care.
Oral surgery patients usually get sedated for the procedure. If this is the case for you, you’ll need someone to drive you home because anesthesia can impair your senses and judgment.
If possible, ask someone you know – a friend or a family member – to drive you home. If no one can do it for you, arrange for a cab to bring you home.
If both these options are not available, ask the clinic or dental facility if you can stay there until it’s okay for you to drive.
If you live alone and are undergoing a complicated procedure, find someone you trust to stay with you overnight or check on you periodically. This also applies if you have children, so you won’t have to worry about the little ones and focus on your recovery.
4. Plan for your pre- and post-surgery diet
You may also need to plan your grocery shopping well after speaking to your surgeon and reading the pre-operation instructions. There are certain rules about eating and drinking that you must follow before and after your surgery.
Before the surgery
For surgeries that require intravenous (IV) medications or a general anesthetic, you’ll need to avoid eating or drinking anything – including water – between eight to 12 hours prior to the operation.
If you’re receiving a local anesthetic, you may have a light meal one to two hours before the procedure. Just don’t forget to clean your teeth thoroughly before the procedure begins.
After the surgery
Once the procedure is done, you will be required to follow a strict diet, so be sure to plan your groceries ahead. Pick healthy foods that could help with your quick recovery. Stick with those that need little to no chewing.
Depending on the procedure you underwent, dentists recommend healthy beverages like milk, tea, and water. During the first few days after the surgery, you’ll only be able to eat soft foods. It is also for the best to avoid spicy and acidic foods, as well as beverages that require the use of a straw.
5. Pick up your medication ahead
After surgery, you’ll likely need to be on full recovery mode, which means you cannot leave the house to pick up any medications you would need. If you have no one to assist you, you’ll have to get them before the procedure to ensure that you’ll have everything you need afterward.
6. Dress for the occasion
The rule of thumb is to wear comfortable clothing for an oral surgery. However, you must avoid those with long sleeves as they might hinder access to your arms for an IV and monitoring of your vital signs. Remember to wear something that you won’t mind getting ruined in case stains get into your clothing.
It would also be best to ditch your jewelry as you would likely be asked to remove them before certain procedures anyway. Also, avoid wearing contact lenses as you might need to close your eyes for an extended period during the surgery, especially if you’re undergoing general anesthesia.
For the sake of comfort and convenience for both you and the people performing the oral surgery, do not wear any makeup (but bring along a lip balm in case your lips get chapped post-surgery), and perfumes, colognes, or body sprays. It is also better to tie your hair back, especially if it is quite long.
A Final Word: Don’t Hesitate to Ask
Unlike teeth cleaning in Fort Lauderdale, you’ll need to prepare several things before undergoing oral surgery. If you have questions right before the procedure begins, it’s always best to ask them at that very moment. This will also ensure that you’re mentally prepared for the procedure you will undergo.
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