3 Things to Avoid Before Going for Oral Surgery

People always require oral surgery in Stockton, CA, for many reasons, such as getting dental implants, tooth extraction, etc. Oral surgery near you may seem scary, but it might flow much better than you expected if you properly plan before the procedure.

Proper planning can also enhance your chances of having a quick recovery at home. In most scenarios, oral surgery will be performed as an outpatient procedure at our dental office in Stockton, CA, and will require the use of general or local anesthesia.

Knowing what to do before and after your surgery is a critical thing. That’s why you need to equip yourself with the following information for you to have a complication-free time. So, let’s have a quick review of the three top things that you should avoid before oral surgery:

1. Certain Foods and Drinks

As a general rule of thumb, you might need to avoid eating or drinking anything, even water, for almost eight to 12 hours before your oral surgery. In certain scenarios, you could indulge in a very light meal to receive local anesthesia. But ensure that you brush and floss immediately after the meal to avoid infection.

2. Smoking

Tobacco is never your friend. However, if you have not yet kicked the habit, you may need to smoke at least 12 hours before your oral surgery and no less than 24 hours after the procedure.

3. Certain Drugs

During your initial visit, you will have a chat with our dentist. This chat helps our dentist get critical information about you, your overall health, and taking any medications.

You should disclose the medication you are using, including vitamins, herbal medications, dietary supplements, and prescription and non-prescription drugs. Certain drugs may be beneficial, but they may have certain side effects or interactions with other drugs that may cause certain complications.

For instance, some medication is prescribed to deal with clotting. However, the blood thinners will inhibit the clotting process essential for healing.

What Can I Eat or Drink Before Oral Surgery?

You already know that you need to know what you eat before undergoing oral surgery near you. Nevertheless, what you eat or drink depends entirely on the type of anesthesia you have chosen.

Check out the following:

• Local Anesthesia – If you opt for local anesthesia, you can have a light meal a couple of hours before coming to our dental office in Stockton, CA, for your oral surgery.
• Nitrous Oxide – If you decide that laughing gas is the way you need to go, there will be a special dietary requirement compared to when you go for local anesthesia.
• Intravenous (IV) Anesthesia – With this option, you might not be awake or less aware of your environment. Therefore, anesthesia will be administered on an empty stomach. So, if your appointment is at 2:00 P.M, then you might have some light breakfast at least six hours before the appointment. Don’t add milk or sugar, and don’t eat anything afterward.

Oral Surgery Aftercare

Now that you have made it this far, you will need to care for your mouth to ensure that you recover much faster. Let’s view the tips that can help you ease the pain and avoid infection:

• Take It Easy

Rest is a critical part of recovery. You will need to take at least a day off to deal with the after-effects of the sedatives, which can make you tired even after the procedure. Plus, don’t try doing anything strenuous since these activities might dislodge the blood clot.

• Raise Your Head When Resting

Elevating your head is essential since it reduces the amount of blood flow to the site. This helps reduce bleeding and enhances blood clot formation.

• Use Ice

Ice is your friend, especially when you come out of surgery. It is normal for you to experience some bruising, and your face may even swell at the jaw. Applying ice can reduce the swelling and ease the pain.

• Take Your Medication

The medication is critical for your healing. This will ensure that you don’t get an infection. Plus, our dentist may prescribe pain medication that can help alleviate pain.

• Follow the Instructions

You will receive a set of guidelines from our dentist to help you recover. Ensure that you follow each one without compromise.

In closing, you will still need to visit our dentist from time to time for checkups to ascertain that you are healing properly. Contact us at Quail Lakes Dental Care if you have any questions.