Anxious About Your Upcoming Oral Surgery? These Tips Can Help

Oral surgery is an experience that many people find stressful. If you have an upcoming oral surgery and you’re worried about the procedure, you’re not alone! There are many things that you can do to make the experience a little easier. Here’s what we recommend.

Use Relaxation Techniques

Use relaxation techniques to assuage your fears. Some effective techniques include:

  • Breathe deeply. Practice deep breathing in the days leading up to the surgery. Practicing this deep breathing before you go in to have the surgery will this habit second nature when the anxiety starts to increase in the hours before the surgery occurs.
  • Visualization. Visualize yourself in a relaxing setting, like the beach or a forest. When you’re visualizing yourself in this setting, think about the sights, smells, sounds, and feelings you would feel if you were actually in this place. Feel the muscles in your body relax as this happens.
  • Self-massage. Massage parts of your body that are tense, or just massage parts of your body that are easy to reach. Even just massaging your arms, legs, shoulders, and hands can put your body at ease.

Get the Story Straight with the Surgeon

Sometimes people fear oral surgery because they’ve heard stories from people who have exaggerated their experiences with oral surgery. This does you no good, especially because your experience with the oral surgeon is unlikely to be like the experiences of someone else. To find out what you can expect your experience to be like, talk to your oral surgeon.

Your oral surgeon can help you understand what preparations you need to make for your recovery, what you can expect to happen during the surgery, and how long the recovery will take. With all this knowledge, you’ll be ready!

Find an Oral Surgeon Who Gets It

It’s important to work with an oral surgeon who understands patient fears and who knows how to create a comforting and comfortable environment for procedures to take place. To get started with your upcoming oral surgery, talk to a professional from Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers.

Call today to make an appointment and learn how we can make your oral surgery a successful and low-stress experience.

 

What to Expect With Oral Surgery

If you are going to be having oral surgery soon, there are some things that you’ll need to know. Oral surgery is like other surgeries, in that it should be taken very seriously. And, just like many other kinds of surgeries, it will be done by a specialist. In most cases, you’ll be consulting with your oral surgeon directly in the days leading up to your surgery. You’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have, but in the meantime, here is some information to get you started.

Preparing For Oral Surgery

Whether or not your oral surgery is performed as an in-patient or out-patient, you’ll want to have someone accompany you. This person will be there to support you, help navigate the process, and be there after the surgery. In the days leading up to surgery, avoid drinking, smoking, or eating in excess. Your surgeon may even ask you to fast for 12-24 hours before surgery. Include plenty of water in your day to avoid dehydration.

During Oral Surgery

If you are to be under general anesthesia, all you have to do is lie down and trust your doctors. You won’t feel anything until after you wake up. If you are to have local anesthesia, you’ll be given a sedative as well as numbing agents. You may be vaguely aware of what’s happening, but you won’t be fully alert.

Post Oral Surgery

When you first wake up, you’ll be very groggy and you may feel very heavy. You won’t feel any pain. However, as time goes on, you will start to feel pain, at which point you need to tell a nurse so you can get medication. After you’re stable enough to go home, you’ll be released to continue to recover at home. You’ll definitely need someone to drive you home afterward because the medication will make you groggy and unable to drive. You should also expect to have someone stay with you for two or three days at home to prepare meals and care for you.

Your oral surgery team will give you detailed after-care instructions so you know just what to do and what not to do. In time, you’ll fully recover and be glad to have received the oral surgery treatment that you needed.

 

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

The loss of a permanent tooth can be upsetting in numerous ways. Initially, the individual usually has concerns related to the impact the lost tooth will have on his or her smile. While the cosmetic aspect of tooth loss is important, a lost tooth can lead to the onset of a variety of other issues and health concerns.

Reasons for Missing Permanent Teeth

While implementing a daily oral health routine can go a long way in preventing cavities and the onset of gum disease resulting in tooth loss, there are times when the loss of a tooth cannot be prevented. For example, a permanent tooth may be missing because it never developed (i.e., hypodontia) or the individual may have experienced some type of mouth trauma that led to the loss of a tooth. Despite the cause, replacing the missing tooth is not an option, but a necessity.

Replacing Missing Teeth is Vital to an Individual’s Overall Health

From shifting teeth to jawbone deterioration, there are numerous reasons that missing teeth need to be replaced.

The importance of replacing missing teeth:

To keep the teeth in alignment Even if only one tooth is missing, over time the teeth begin to move. This movement can make it possible for oral bacteria to attack the roots of the teeth, resulting in the onset of a painful infection that has the capability of damaging the remaining teeth.

To avoid the need for lifestyle modifications Modifying the types of foods eaten or how an individual eats certain food may be necessary following tooth loss. For example, if a front tooth has been lost, just biting into an apple can be a challenge. In addition, the rest of the digestive system counts on the ability of the teeth to chew food effectively, therefore, the absence of a tooth or several teeth can hinder the rest of the digestive process.

To prevent jawbone deterioration The jawbone relies on the roots of the teeth to remain healthy. The pressure placed on the bone stimulates it to produce new cells. After a tooth is lost, pressure is no longer placed on that section of jawbone which means it is not being stimulated. This loss of stimulation leads to deterioration. It is this deterioration process that causes facial characteristics like sunken-in cheeks, which tend to make an individual appear older than he or she actually is.

Other issues linked to missing teeth include:

  • Speech issues.
  • Depression or anxiety.
  • Problems with self-esteem.
  • Temporomandibular jaw syndrome (TMJ).
  • Chronic headaches.
  • Poor nutrition.

If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, we can help. With dental implants, people who have lost teeth can regain the freedom they once had to eat what they want, speak well and eliminate concerns related to the shifting of a removable dental prosthesis.

To learn more, contact your closest Heritage Oral Surgery and Implant Center to make an appointment with an experienced dental implant specialist. To request an appointment using our online form, please click here.

Office Phone Numbers:

Valencia

661-253-3500

27450 Tourney Road, Suite 160, Valencia, California

West Valley

818-703-8200

22142 Sherman Way, Ste 201, Canoga Park, California

Palmdale

661-538-1400

843 Auto Center Drive, Ste B, Palmdale, California

 

How Long Is Recovery From Oral Surgery?

If your dentist or oral surgeon has recommended oral surgery, you’ll want to know how long the recovery time is. Bear in mind that oral surgery is can be major surgery. This is true if you are going under general anesthesia, such as the case of having all four wisdom teeth removed. You may also be having oral surgery for things like gum adjustments, gum grafts, dental implants and more. Make sure you understand how long recovery from oral surgery takes so that you can plan accordingly.

Prepare Your Body Ahead of Time

As soon as you learn that you’ll need oral surgery, you can actually start minimizing your recovery period by preparing your body. This means that when you undergo oral surgery you should make sure you’re as healthy as possible going in. Some things you can do include:

  • Stop drinking alcohol
  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid junk foods
  • Avoid sugary treats
  • Fill up on vegetables
  • Reduce caffeine intake
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Enjoy moderate exercise if able

If you are a person with addictive habits, you know that it can take a long time to form new habits like exercising, not smoking, etc. Just remind yourself that preparing for oral surgery is temporary. You can tackle the bigger problem of kicking addictions later on. This temporary break from bad habits is just to get your body in a healthier state prior to surgery. Doing so will greatly reduce your recovery time.

After Effects of Oral Surgery

The after-effects of oral surgery are what lead to your needed recovery period. In the 24 hours following oral surgery, you may experience nausea and/or vomiting. This is a side effect from the anesthesia, and it will work its way out of your system quickly. You’ll also be very groggy and weak coming out of surgery. Have a family member or friend with you who can drive you home and care for you at home.

Discomfort and Light Bleeding

You’ll have discomfort from the stitches and may have light bleeding. You’ll also have swelling, which will subside. All this will take about 10 days to fully subside.

You won’t be able to return to work for at least 10 days following oral surgery, so plan to take off two weeks to be sure you have enough time to recuperate.

 

A Look at Four Different Types of Oral Surgery

Oral surgery is a highly specialized area of the dental field and services are provided by a professional with a more in-depth understanding of the human mouth and procedures done to rectify specific oral health issues. Here is a look at some of the different types of oral surgery.

Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive surgery is typically done after you have been involved in a traumatic event. For example, if you have been involved in a car accident and your jaw was broken or something about your bite was changed, reconstructive surgery may be done to help you recover.

Jaw Alignment Surgery

Jaw alignment surgery usually involves surgically altering the shape of the jaw. Some people are actually born with jaws that do not line up properly; this can be a hereditary problem or it can come from some kind of trauma during childhood while the jaws were still growing. Misaligned jaws can generate a lot of problems when you speak, chew, and open your mouth.

Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

Wisdom teeth removal surgery is probably the most common type of oral surgery. During this procedure, patients are given general anesthesia so the surgeon can remove impacted wisdom teeth from the jawline. These teeth can create a lot of problems when they do not grow properly, such as pain and damage to the rest of the teeth.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Sleep apnea affects how you breathe when you sleep, and it can put you at risk of further health concerns. Oral surgery to help with sleep apnea is performed in a few different ways. However, it can involve removing some tissue from the soft palate and back of the throat to open up the airway a bit more.

Let’s Talk About Oral Surgery in Palmdale, CA

Oral surgery always sounds like it is a bit intimidating, regardless of the reason behind it. However, when you know you are working with a skilled dentist, you can rest assured that you will get the utmost attention to proper care and making you comfortable. If you believe you may need oral surgery, reach out to us at the Heritage Oral Surgery & Implant Centers in Palmdale, CA for an appointment.

 

What is the Recovery Period Like After Oral Surgery?

Dental implants and other dental procedures that require oral surgery require some recovery time. Oral surgery is like any other type of surgery. For example, you will probably be given some form of anesthesia. There are many other conditions that exist or can develop after oral surgery, which will affect your recovery period.

Nausea

You may experience nausea or vomiting during the recovery period. This is often a side effect of the anesthesia. Your doctor can recommend some anti-nausea remedies to alleviate these feelings.

Trouble Eating and Drinking

Your mouth, teeth and/or gums will be sensitive following oral surgery. It’s helpful to stock up on some recommended food and drink items so they’re ready when you come home after oral surgery. Ask your doctor for a list of items that will be suitable depending on your procedure. In addition, certain foods and drinks will be prohibited immediately following your oral surgery, so be sure to stay away from those particular items.

Bleeding

If you’ve had certain procedures, such as a wisdom tooth extraction, you may experience some residual bleeding from the site. Typically, applying pressure with sterile gauze for a period of time will stem the bleeding. Try not to swallow any of the blood, since that can exacerbate stomach upset. Excess bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t respond to pressure and gauze should be reported to your doctor.

Swelling

Oral surgery is traumatic to the tissues in and around your mouth. As such, you may experience swelling in the area. Swelling is caused when white blood cells race to the “scene” to initiate healing. In fact, a little swelling is a sign that your body is reacting normally. Swelling may look and feel uncomfortable, but it will typically go down on its own within about 24 hours after oral surgery.

Plan on resting at home after oral surgery. You won’t feel like going back to work for two or three days at least. Follow your doctor’s instructions and let their office know if you’re experiencing anything that feels unusual or worrying. After you’ve recovered from oral surgery, you can look forward to improved oral health for many years to come!