Are you undergoing oral surgery soon? Chances are you may be feeling a bit stressed, and a little planning can make the experience easier.

At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we give you pre-operative instructions in advance. And we do whatever we can to calm your nerves and ensure you have a positive experience. To that end, we’ve put together a list of steps you can take to prepare for your oral surgery procedure.

Go Grocery Shopping

After undergoing oral surgery, you’ll likely be on a liquid and soft-food diet for at least a few days. You won’t feel like stopping by the grocery store on the way home, so stock up on healthy food and drink options ahead of time.

Set Up a Recovery Spot

When you get back home, you’ll want to relax in a cozy spot. Pile extra pillows on the bed or couch before you leave for the oral surgeon’s office, and make sure the TV remote, a book, magazines or whatever entertainment you like is in easy reach.

Arrange for a Ride Home

If your oral surgery procedure involves any type of anesthesia, you’ll need a family member or friend to provide you with a ride home. Due to the potential for lingering drowsiness, driving isn’t safe when you have anesthesia in your system.

Keep Your Stomach Empty

Your oral surgeon will tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight or for at least the eight hours prior to your procedure. This is to prevent anesthesia complications. If you consume anything during that time, even coffee, you may have to reschedule your oral surgery.

Choose a Comfortable Outfit

The day of your procedure, dress for comfort. Choose loose-fitting, casual clothes, like sweatpants and a T-shirt, and bring a sweater or jacket just in case the oral surgeon’s office is a bit chilly. Leave the accessories at home, as you may need to remove them anyway.

Clean Your Mouth Carefully

Before you leave the house, give your mouth a thorough cleaning. Brush for a couple of extra minutes, then use dental floss or a water pick and rinse with mouthwash. By paying careful attention to your oral hygiene the morning of your procedure, you’ll reduce your risk of infection.

At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, serving the greater east central Indiana area for more than a decade, patient safety and comfort are our primary concerns. Our professional team provides expert care with kindness and compassion, and we perform a full range of oral surgery procedures.

For more information on our board-certified oral surgeons, or to schedule a professional oral surgery consultation, contact Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today.

When you schedule wisdom teeth removal, make sure you set aside enough time for recovery. You’ll need to restrict your activities to ensure proper healing, so you won’t be able to return to work right away.

Fortunately, recovering from wisdom tooth extraction doesn’t typically take long. Follow your oral surgeon’s aftercare instructions, and you should be able to resume your normal work routine pretty quickly.

Many Patients Return to Work in a Couple of Days

Every patient is unique, but most are able to get back on the job within two or three days of the wisdom teeth removal procedure.

That said, the nature of your work makes a difference. If your job involves strenuous activity, your oral surgeon may recommend that you take more time off. Performing a highly physical job too soon after wisdom tooth extraction can lead to painful complications.

Additional Recovery Time May Be Necessary

Simple wisdom teeth removal procedures typically come with a faster recovery. With complex extractions, on the other hand, healing can take longer.

If your wisdom teeth are impacted (stuck in the gums), your oral surgeon will need to modify the surrounding tissues and bones. Because of this, the extraction sites may take more time to heal.

Also, keep in mind that even if your wisdom tooth extraction procedure is a simple one, infection is always a possibility. If that happens, additional time away from work may be necessary to resolve the problem and fully recover.

Tips for Getting Back to Work Quickly

You probably don’t want to use up all your sick days and vacation time recovering from wisdom teeth removal. To reduce your risk of complications, your oral surgeon will likely recommend that you:

• Rest with your head elevated during the days after the wisdom teeth extraction procedure.
• Take your pain medication exactly as directed, without skipping or postponing any doses.
• Use ice packs, and after 48 hours, warm packs, to help alleviate pain and swelling.
• 24 hours after your extraction, begin rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution a few times a day.
• Avoid brushing near the tooth extraction sites and skip flossing in that area of the mouth.
• Stick to liquids and soft foods for a few days — nothing crunchy, chewy or sticky until after you’re fully healed.
• Drink all your beverages directly from a cup, not through a straw, and don’t gulp, swish or spit.
• Don’t use any form of tobacco or drink any alcohol, as both are known to hinder the healing process.

At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we have extensive experience in simple and complex wisdom tooth extractions. You’ll be in good hands with our oral surgeons, and we’ll do our best to help ensure you can return to work as soon as possible after your procedure.

For expert care in the greater east central Indiana area, schedule your wisdom teeth removal at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Contact our office for a consultation today.