The American Public Health Association estimates that 10 million wisdom teeth are extracted from five million people in the U.S. each year. Whether you’re undergoing a wisdom tooth removal or any other type of oral surgery, proper preparation is of the utmost importance. Here are just a few tips to help you prepare for oral surgery.
Get All Questions Answered
First and foremost, it’s helpful to have a good understanding of the purpose of the procedure and what it entails. This includes the type of anesthesia you’ll receive since most oral surgeries require some level of sedation. If your oral surgeon tells you that you’ll need to have somebody come with you to drive you home after the procedure, take their advice. If you have any preexisting or current health issues, always reveal them to your doctor. Most importantly, make sure to ask your oral surgeon every question you have about the procedure. Being well informed and knowing what to expect from the experience can help address any worries.
Avoid Food/Water
In most cases, your dentist will instruct you not to eat or drink between 8 and 12 hours prior to oral surgery. Smoking is discouraged at least 12 hours before and 24 hours after the procedure. Understanding and following these instructions is critical and will help prevent problematic and painful “dry sockets.”
Relax
Finally, it’s important to make sure you feel relaxed before the procedure. Wearing comfortable clothes, listening to a relaxing song, or reading a few pages of a book are great ideas. Pre-op instructions provided by your doctor may include relaxation suggestions for the day of your appointment. Feel free to call your oral surgeon’s office for suggestions!
Invest in your overall health by prioritizing your dental care – make an appointment with Waco Surgical Arts today.
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