Teeth Surgery and How To Prepare For It: Do’s and Don’t

Dental surgery is a surgical procedure performed on your teeth, jaw, gum, or other oral structures; this includes extraction, implants, jaw surgeries, and gum graft.

 Oral surgeries are performed for various reasons like a badly broken tooth, gum disease, extensive tooth decay, missing tooth, oral cancer, impacted tooth, bone loss in your jaw, benign oral pathology, etc.

 Types of Dental (Oral) Surgery

There are several types of oral surgery procedures performed each year. Some of the most common include tooth extraction, dental bone grafts, dental implants, periodontal surgery, corrective jaw surgery, sleep apnea surgery, and cleft lip and palate repair.

1. Dental Implant

A dental implant is the most dependable and long-lasting teeth replacement alternative. These tiny threaded posts, which are composed of medical-grade titanium or zirconia, are inserted into your jaw to replace missing dental roots. Dental crowns, bridges, or dentures can repair the implants once they have healed.

2. Tooth Extraction

This is the most common type of dental surgery. An extraction may be recommended if you have severe tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis), wisdom tooth complications, dental trauma, etc.

Most dentists prefer to save natural teeth when possible, but extractions are sometimes necessary to maintain your overall dental health. Many dentists also recommend wisdom teeth extraction as a preventative strategy to lower your risk of cavities, bone loss, and other issues.

 3. Periodontal Surgery

This surgery is done when you have moderate or severe periodontitis. Incisions are made along your gum line, and the tissue is temporarily pushed back away from your teeth during this treatment. Your surgeon will flush out the plaque and bacteria that have gathered behind your gums while he cleans your dental roots. Finally, the gum tissue is sutured back into place.

4. Cleft Lips and Palate Repair

Some babies are born with both cleft lips conditions. When the facial structures in the uterus (womb) do not fully develop, cleft lip and palate develop. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons commonly perform cleft lip and palate repair to restore normal eating function and help a child develop good speech patterns later in life.

5. Sleep apnea surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the tissue in the back of your throat falls back and blocks your airway during sleep. Conservative approaches, such as oral appliance therapy or a CPAP machine, can effectively treat OSA. However, in severe cases, a surgical procedure may be required.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE A SURGERY IS PRESCRIBED?

Your dentist will have performed an extensive and comprehensive evaluation to check your gum, teeth, jaw joints, and surroundings structure. They will also run a dental X-ray and scan to get a clearer view of your teeth, roots, jawbone, nerves, and other critical oral landmarks, therefore, using this information to personalize a treatment plan for you.

DOS AND DONTS OF TEETH SURGERY

If you’re wondering how to handle healing after oral surgery, be assured that oral surgeons give exact directions for a smooth and speedy recovery. You must follow these instructions, which include the following tips;

DOS

1. Use the medication prescribed by your dentist immediately after your teeth surgery.

2. Rest for at least 24 hours after your surgery; After all, your body requires rest! Keep your head supported with pillows if you want to lie down to ensure adequate blood flow to your brain and reduce oedema in your mouth and face. Additionally, propping your head will help you avoid severe bleeding after oral surgery.

3. Use a gauze pad to stop any form of bleeding post-operation.

4. Use a pillow to prop up your head.

5. It would help if you gently rinse your mouth with warm, salted water the day after teeth surgery while being careful not to spit out the water forcefully.

6. Reduce swelling by applying ice packs to your face for 15 minutes. Most teeth surgeons recommend placing ice on for 15mins and 15 mins off.

7. Eat soft food; only eat liquid or soft foods after surgery, such as yoghurt, milkshakes, smoothies, soup, Pap, Custard, kunu, etc.

8. If you still feel numb six hours later or experience excessive bleeding, call your affordable dental care clinic to see if there may be a problem.

DON’TS

1. Do not exercise for at least 12-24 hours after teeth surgery. Don’t push yourself to the point of exhaustion. Going to the gym or running is not a good idea right now. Rest and heal for the first few days after your oral surgery, and avoid heavy lifting or intense exercise.

2. For the first several days after surgery, don’t scrub the surgical site; gently wipe it clean with soft gauze; avoid brushing and flossing in the surgical area until your doctor clears you. And when you do resume brushing and flossing, make sure to do so with extra, gentle care.

3. Avoid hot foods or drinks; avoid accidentally burning your mouth; avoid eating or drinking anything hot until you are no longer numb. You don’t have to add to your discomfort by having a burnt tongue or roof of the mouth when healing from oral surgery.

4. Don’t eat hard or crunchy food; for the first 6 to 8 weeks after your oral surgery, avoid eating hard, crunchy foods like popcorn and carrots in the area where your operation was performed.

5. Don’t generally smoke for at least a few days after oral surgery; smoking should be avoided for as long as possible, if not the entire day following your oral surgery. Alternatively, to boost your health, quit smoking altogether. If you need assistance quitting smoking, speak with your oral surgeon.

6. Avoid alcohol for At least 24 hours post-operation; Alcohol should be avoided for the first 24 hours following your oral surgery because it can slow down the healing process. Also, avoid drinking alcohol if you’re in pain or antibiotic medications that could be affected by it.

7. Any post-operative pain or worry should not be overlooked. Any difficulties you have following oral surgery should be reported to your oral surgeon so that you can heal appropriately.

8. Please do not touch the surgical site; it may be itchy, but I refrained from touching it.

Any post-operative discomfort or anxiety should not be ignored. Any problems you experience after oral surgery should be addressed to your oral surgeon so that you can heal properly.

You should be aware of any risks or consequences of oral surgery, just as you should be informed of any risks or complications involved with any procedure. These may include the following:

1. Numbness

2. Dry socket: a condition that can occur following extractions when the blood clotting process is disturbed.

3. Infection

4. Sinus problem

5. Tooth root fragments

Following your post-operative instructions and taking all medications as indicated can reduce your chance of these issues. Contact a doctor for further information if you have any adverse effects.