It would be great if we could wish our problems away. Unfortunately, we can’t. We have to take some sort of action to solve them. Now, on occasion, there are some issues that just seem to sort themselves out. But this isn’t always the case.
Sometimes we’re able to face a problem and realize after we’ve dealt with it that it wasn’t as bad as we thought. This is pretty common among patients who need to have oral surgery. Let’s face it, even for a routine checkup, going to the dentist isn’t everyone’s favorite thing to do. But if you have a team as caring and as skilled as ours at Restorative & Implant Dentistry, your treatment can be a much more positive experience.
Since dental problems aren’t the type to work themselves out on their own, oral surgery is sometimes necessary to preserve your oral health. Our team of specialists will take care of you during your procedure, but there are certainly things you can do beforehand to make your surgery go more smoothly.
Why Is Oral Surgery Needed?
Oftentimes, our restorative dentistry options are enough to correct any dental problems you face. Sometimes, however, oral surgery is the only option to ensure your best oral health. Here are just a few examples:
-You need to have wisdom teeth extracted.
-You need to stimulate new bone growth.
-You need to add healthy gum tissue.
-You have an overcrowded smile.
-You have a baby tooth that didn’t fall out properly.
-You have a toothache/oral infection.
-You need to have your sinuses lifted to make room for dental implants.
When you call Restorative & Implant Dentistry and schedule an appointment with us,  we can determine if oral surgery is the solution to any of your dental problems. Our office has been serving the Pompano Beach, FL community for 35 years, and we are just the team you can trust to make your oral surgery a successful, positive experience.  
Making Sure Your Oral Surgery Goes Smoothly
Today, we’re sharing some ideas for making your oral surgery go a little easier, both before and after your procedure.
Familiarize yourself with the dentist’s instructions ahead of time.
Most likely, you will receive some kind of pre and post-op list of instructions the dentist wants you follow to ensure successful treatment and healing. It’s really a good idea to read these carefully well enough ahead of time just in case you have any questions, need clarification, or don’t understand something on the list. Putting this off or avoiding it altogether can have you running into problems the day of your appointment.
Don’t eat or drink anything approximately eight hours before your scheduled surgery.
Oral surgery is still a surgery, so as such, you should avoid eating or drinking anything several hours before just to give your body the best chance for handling any of the anesthetics, sedation, or pain relieving medications you will be receiving during the procedure.
Stock up on soft foods.
Any oral surgery is going to require you to give your mouth some time to heal before you resume your normal eating habits. It’s best to have some soft foods on hand that won’t put you at risk of damaging the treated area by biting or chewing.
Make sure you have plenty of books, movies, and magazines to keep you entertained during recovery.
Your recovery will likely only last a couple of days in most cases, but still, that can seem like an eternity when all you’re supposed to do is rest and take it easy. You definitely want to plan ahead for entertainment, and keep it those items (books, magazines, movies, game controls, etc.) near you so you don’t have to keep getting up unnecessarily.
Don’t wear jewelry, perfume, or makeup the day of your surgery.
Jewelry can easily get snagged on clothing, especially on those who are administering your procedure, so it’s best to just keep it at home. Makeup can rub off on clothes, too, and it can also run. You might also want to avoid perfume, as the smell may have a nauseating effect on you, even if it’s something you wear all the time. The medications prescribed to you may make you a little more sensitive to smells than you normally otherwise are.
Have some ice packs on the ready in your freezer.
Sometimes, a procedure will result in minor swelling, but cold packs can help keep the pain and swelling under control post-op. Be sure to put them in the freezer a day or two before your scheduled surgery. They’ll be perfect in time to give you the relief you need to reduce pain and swelling. You can also rely on OTC pain relievers or stronger pain meds prescribed by your dentist.
Thanks to these tips and the experience of our skilled dental team, your oral surgery experience can be smooth and effective. You’ll be recovered and back to oral health in no time!
Give us a call today at 954-590-0538 or fill out our online form to request an appointment. At Restorative & Implant Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you find answers.