Preparing for Oral Surgery

Any kind of surgery is serious and should not be taken lightly. This includes oral surgery. Because of this, it’s important to plan and prepare properly to avoid any potential complications that may accompany your oral surgery. No matter where you receive oral surgery, you’ll be provided with instructions for pre-and-post-surgical care for your specific procedure, but there are a few things to do to prepare for any type of oral surgery.

Preparing for Oral Surgery

Below are a few things to do before undergoing oral surgery:

• Find a ride – After undergoing any type of anesthesia, you’ll need someone to take you home. Make plans to have a responsible friend or family member take you to and from your oral surgery appointment.
• Follow pre-op instructions – Depending on the procedure, you may need to fast from food or water for a certain amount of time before the surgery. Different procedures will require different instructions, so pay attention to instructions provided by your dentist.
• Prepare post-op meals – You will need to stick to soft foods or a liquid diet for the first few days after surgery. It’s a good idea to go to the store to purchase post-op meals and ingredients or prepare smoothies or other soft meals ahead of time.
• Pick up pain medication – Once your procedure is over, you’ll likely just want to go home and rest, not spend time in line at the pharmacy. If possible, ask your dentist if you can pick up any necessary pain medication before your procedure instead of after.
• Know the signs of infection – Lastly, it’s vital that you’re aware of the signs of infection and you know when to seek medical attention. These signs can include redness, swelling, pain that gets worse instead of better, or a fever.

If you have concerns about your procedure or how to properly prepare for it, please contact your dentist or oral surgeon. It’s important that you are comfortable with your procedure and what to expect from it.

To make an appointment with Dr. Garlock here at Garlock Orthodontics, please contact our Aurora, Colorado orthodontic office today. Before receiving braces, you may first need to undergo oral surgery. If you any concerns about this possibility, please don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Garlock.