3 Tips to Help You Navigate the Oral Surgery Recovery Period During the Holidays

Many people these days choose to schedule oral surgery during breaks from school or work – meaning the holiday season is often a perfect time to do so! And with this time of year just around the corner, you might be gearing up for tooth extraction, dental implant placement, or some other type of surgical procedure. However, you might be a little concerned about how this is going to impact your holiday plans – rest assured, you can still enjoy many of your festivities while recuperating from oral surgery! Here are a few useful tips to keep in mind.

#1. Get Plenty of Rest

One of the most important things you should be doing following your procedure is rest – your body needs to allocate strength toward healing! It’s normal to feel “foggy” for up to 24 hours after a procedure that was performed under IV sedation. It’s normally recommended that you reduce physical activity for the first couple of days, as exercise and strenuous activity can cause increased blood flow leading to more discomfort and swelling. Use this opportunity to kick back, relax, and catch up on sleep – or some of your favorite television shows!

#2. Eat Soft Foods

During the healing phase, it may not be very easy to chew food, and you might have specific instructions concerning your diet that revolve around sticking to soft and liquid foods. You’re going to want to stick with soft, bland foods that are easy to digest, and avoid anything particularly spicy or acidic. Luckily, there are quite a lot of holiday foods served this time of year that fit this category: stuffing, mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables, and other similar items shouldn’t impact your healing very much if at all. It’s also recommended that you drink plenty of fluids to remain hydrated; just don’t use a straw since the suction can disrupt the blood clots that form over the surgical site(s).

#3. Consider Limiting Your Traveling

It’s true that for most procedures, flying doesn’t present a significant hazard after the first few days – and you’ll technically be able to ride (not drive) in a car as soon as your procedure ends. That said, it’s often best to at least give yourself a couple of days to rest and recover before taking any extended car trips or hopping on an airplane. If you must travel, be sure that you’re packing all of the accommodations you’ll need, like your prescribed medications, cold compresses, and suitable foods and beverages. When you’re at your destination, ensure that you resume taking it easy and focusing on recovering!

About the Practice

The team at EPO Dental Specialists has served the needs of patients in Richardson and the surrounding DFW metroplex for several years, offering a wide variety of services including dental implants, bone grafting, periodontal therapy, and beyond. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment or request additional information, please visit online or reach out by phone today for assistance. Telephone: (972) 479-1200.