25 May

Preparing for Oral Surgery

Knowing how to prepare for your upcoming oral surgery and what to expect before and afterwards can help calm some of your fears. The experienced staff at Lifetime Family Dental are here to answer all of your questions and support you in any way we can. When preparing for your oral surgery appointment, we recommend that you follow these five steps.

How to Prepare for Oral Surgery

1: Discuss the Surgery with Your Dentist Beforehand

Anxiety is a perfectly normal response when you learn that you need oral surgery. However, don’t let your nerves keep you from asking questions. During the consultation about your oral surgery, ask whatever questions come to mind, no matter how silly. 

Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist:

• To explain details about the surgery
• How long the surgery and recovery will take
• If there is any type of risk
• What type of anesthesia the surgery requires, and if there are alternatives
• If your insurance will cover the surgery

When discussing your surgery, it’s also important to disclose any health conditions you have and all medications that you take, even if they aren’t prescription. Doing so will reduce the risk of complications and negative drug interactions.

2: Dress Comfortably

There is no need to dress to impress for an oral surgery. Many oral surgeries take a long time to perform, so dress comfortably. Loose fitting clothing is best and, if you are going to have an IV drip during your surgery, you will need to wear short sleeves. 

What not to wear when preparing for oral surgery:

• Contact lenses
• Makeup
• Jewelry
• Cologne, perfume, or other strong scents

3: Arrange Transportation

When preparing for oral surgery, always plan to have someone else drive you home after the procedure. General anesthesia takes a long time to wear off, and lighter forms of anesthesia can still leave you incapable of driving after your surgery. Above all, you will likely be exhausted. 

If you plan to use a rideshare service, do not order the ride until you are told it is safe for you to leave. If you live alone, it may also be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to stay overnight with you after a major surgery. 

4: Plan Your Diet

Make sure to stock up on soft foods and plenty of liquids before your oral surgery. Stick to healthy foods and drink plenty of water for a speedier recovery. If your surgery requires general anesthesia, you can not eat or drink anything—including water—for at least 8 hours before arriving for surgery.

5: Follow Your Post-Operative Instructions

Depending on the type of oral surgery you need, there will be different steps and precautions for recovery. Make sure to read all the instructions you receive carefully before your appointment, and ask any questions that come up while reading. Keep the instructions readily available after your surgery for reference.

Oral Surgery in Gilbert, AZ

If your dentist has recommended oral surgery, it’s important to have the work done as soon as possible. Preparing for oral surgery can be scary, but it will be worth it. When you leave a problem in your mouth untreated, it can lead to worse complications and dental emergencies. We provide urgent and full-service dental care at Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert. Call 480-500-9454 to schedule an appointment.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/25/2021). Photo by Caroline LM on Unsplash