You've scheduled an oral surgery to resolve a painful problem - That's great! Now what?
The days following oral surgery can be a blur, but like any other type of surgery, proper post-operative care is important to a speedy recovery. Luckily, we wrote these tips just for you about all the things you can do to set yourself up for success! Here are our best tips on what to do for a comfortable recovery:
Before the Surgery
This might sound like a no-brainer, but it's important to plan for a lot of downtime post-oral surgery. Before you leave for your appointment, set up a bedside/couch-side "station" that has all your necessities within arm's reach, including extra pillows and blankets, books, tablets, phones, chargers, remotes, snacks, water, and so on.
Make sure to clear cords, furniture, and other objects from walkways and stairways to make your return home easier (and less dangerous!).
Be sure to have any food you want or need easily accessible, which means it is either ready to eat or very convenient to prepare or heat up.
Post-Op: 4 Steps to Recovery
1. Write it Down
Keeping a diary of your recovery is imperative for effective communication with your dentist. Consider using a journal to track how you're feeling, rating pain on a scale from 1-10.
2. Track Your Medications
Even more importantly, remember to track the details for all the medications you are taking post-op. Consider tracking the following:
- Names of medications
- Dates and times
This is important: Write down the dates and times that you take any pain medications to ensure proper use and to avoid taking too much. - Side effects
Write down any side effects or symptoms you may be experiencing. If you believe you are experiencing a side effect, or if your condition worsens, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away. Tell them if you have done anything in attempt to treat the side effect. If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
3. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you have any questions regarding your medications, tests, treatments, and/or diagnosis, contact your dental office.
4. Make Follow-Up Appointments
If your dentist said that you need additional tests, call the dentist office to make the necessary appointments. If your dentist recommended seeing a specialist post-op, make an appointment with the specialist as soon as possible.
Have a question? We’ve done the research and are here to help! To chat with one of our team members, you can call us at (888) 890-1944 or e-mail us at info@directbenefits.com.
Of note: The information provided here is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. These tips are from doctors, nurses and people who have shared their real-life advice; always check with a doctor or other appropriate medical professional you trust before making any healthcare changes. Again, speak to your doctor before using any form of medication - prescription or nonprescription drugs.