An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is a cliche you hear a LOT. That’s because it’s true! At Greg D. Bobier, DMD we want to make sure every aspect of your procedure goes well, including your recovery. Planning ahead helps avoid problems after oral surgery and ensures you are as comfortable as possible. Check out our five tips to prepare for dental surgery.

 

If you have any questions or need to schedule an oral surgery procedure, call us today at 248-625-4492.

 

Follow Our Pre-Surgery Directions

 

We will advise you on when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. If you are going to receive IV sedation, you will need to skip eating and drinking anything for 8-12 hours prior to your procedure. The rules will vary somewhat if only local anesthesia or a lighter form of sedation is used. However, we typically use IV sedation to ensure your maximum comfort during treatment.

 

You also shouldn’t smoke, vape, or use chewing tobacco for at least 12 hours prior to dental surgery. You must avoid these habits for even longer after your procedure, at least 24 hours. If that will be a problem for you, you may want to look into getting a nicotine patch.

 

Wear Comfy Clothing to Prepare for Dental Surgery

 

An important part of preparation is dressing comfortably. We recommend loose-fitting clothing. If you’ll receive IV sedation, wear clothes with short sleeves. In addition:

 

• Skip jewelry and don’t use lipstick or lipgloss. (You may want to bring along a lip balm though, as your lips will feel dry after surgery.)
• If your hair is long or especially thick, tying it back is helpful.
• Wear glasses instead of contact lenses.

 

Arrange for a Ride Home & Any Needed Care

 

No matter which kind of anesthesia is used for your procedure, we suggest getting a ride home. You will feel less steady driving even if you receive only local anesthesia. If you don’t have a friend or family member to drive you, it will be easier and more comfortable to use Uber or a taxi instead of public transportation.

 

If you live alone, you may want to ask a loved one to check in on you a few times during the first 24 hours – or at least call or text to see how you’re doing. If you have children at home, enlist someone to help with their care.

 

Stock Up on the Right Foods

 

To prepare for dental surgery, make meals ahead, if possible. This will give you one less thing to worry about during recovery. At the very least, stock up on easy-to-eat foods beforehand. If you have had teeth extracted, you will want your menu to include only soft, bland foods for the first day or two. Spicy or acidic foods can irritate your mouth. Keep the temperature cool or lukewarm at first; no overly hot foods or liquids.

 

Nutritious no-cook or quick-cook foods work great! Some good choices include:

 

• Oatmeal
• Broth and soup
• Smoothies and shakes
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt

 

If you get smoothies and shakes, skip the straw and only use a spoon. Sucking substances through a straw can dislodge blood clots, which can result in a painful condition called dry socket.

 

Cancel Your Procedure If Necessary

 

No one likes to postpone a procedure that’s already been scheduled. But if you are sneezing or have a runny nose, you may want to consider it. The best thing to do is to call our office staff to make them aware of the issue; they can advise you.

 

If you have more serious symptoms – fever, sore throat, or body aches – you should definitely wait until you’re feeling better to have your dental surgery.

 

If you suffer from allergies, go ahead and take an oral antihistamine and be sure to let Dr. Bobier know.

 

We’ll tell you what you need to know to prepare for dental surgery – and to recover from it too. At Greg D. Bobier, DMD, we support through every step of the process! Call us today at 248-625-4492 to schedule your appointment.