What Patients Can Expect Immediately After Oral Surgery

/in /by

No one actively looks forward to having oral surgery in Fort Lauderdale, FL, except as part of a longer goal of pain relief from TMJ, better appearance or as part of future orthodontic treatment. Surgery of any kind is something that must be prepared for, and oral surgery is no exception. At Florida Smiles Dental, we’re especially sensitive to the human aspects of the treatments we provide—in particular oral surgery. In light of that, we want our patients to know what to expect immediately afterward.

Need For a Ride Home

Be prepared to have someone else drive you home after oral surgery. You might have medications in you that could slightly impair your ability to drive, and it’s much better to be overly cautious than to take unnecessary risks. Your person doesn’t necessarily have to hold your hand during surgery, but they should be there with keys in hand when you’re ready to head home.

Need For TLC

You’ll want to have someone to help care for you at home, too, after oral surgery. Not that you can’t care for yourself—but having a loved one to treat you tenderly will just make things easier. It’s best for you to be able to lie in bed at home and be able to have things brought to you, rather than have to get up yourself to get things. A little TLC will actually make your recovery faster, since your body will be able to focus all its energy on making you better.

Need For Supplies

Before you have the oral surgery, gather supplies you’ll need. These include:

  • soft foods (mashed potatoes, soup, ice cream, etc.)
  • OTC pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprophen, etc.)
  • heating pad/cooling gel packs

Your dentist can give you a full list of items you may need to support your recovery.

You’ll be in good hands with your Fort Lauderdale, FL dentist at Florida Smiles Dental. Contact us today to learn more about what to expect with your oral surgery treatment.

Avoid These 4 Things Before Oral Surgery

/0 Comments/in , /by

Your oral surgery services in Lighthouse Point, FL should be taken just as seriously as you would major surgery in a hospital. Although the procedure may be less complex, there are still commonalities between the preparation steps that a patient should take for a big hospital operation and an oral surgery procedure. You’ll be fully briefed by Florida Smiles Dental ahead of time, but here’s what to expect as far as what to avoid before undergoing oral surgery of any kind.

1. Avoid Taking Aspirin

If your dental problems have to do with any kind of pain, you may be reaching for something from the medicine cabinet. But steer away from aspirin. Aspirin thins the blood, and is very effective. But it also makes patients undergoing surgery to bleed more than they might otherwise.

2. Eating and Drinking 24 Hours Prior

If your procedure involves sedation or general anesthesia, you’ll likely be instructed not to eat or drink anything beforehand. This is crucial for your safety and to avoid complications during anesthesia.

3. Wearing Contact Lenses

If you’re undergoing sedation, wear glasses instead of contacts. Your eyes may be closed for an extended time, and lenses can dry out or cause irritation, making them challenging to remove.

4. Arriving Without a Plan for Transportation

Both sedation and anesthesia can make you too groggy to drive yourself home safely. Make arrangements ahead of time for a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you during initial recovery. You’ll need some extra TLC for the first few days of recovery!

With offices in two locations, your dentist at Florida Smiles Dental has a convenient location for you. Consult your Fort Lauderdale orLighthouse Point, FL dentistto learn more about what to expect on the scheduled day of your oral surgery procedure.