| How to Be Ready Before Having Oral Surgery |
|
|
Is oral surgery in your future? If so, there are a few things you can do in the meantime to prepare for your recovery. Being prepared beforehand means having the right medications, a location you can rest while sitting up, and having foods that are safe to eat following your procedure.
Getting Ready for Oral Surgery
You will want some over-the-counter medications around the house to help with pain and inflammation. Ideally, you will want ibuprofen so long as that is safe for you to take. You are also probably going to want some ice and heat packs, which can help you control swelling and pain.
You should have an extra pillow or two around so you can sit up more when resting. Lying flat is not good for you right after oral surgery since it can increase pain, bleeding, and swelling. Putting a few extra pillows behind you will help you rest in a comfortable position that is also optimal for healing.
Foods that are soft and nutritious are great to eat when recovering from oral surgery. Options like yogurt, soups, eggs, and oatmeal are great to have on hand. Since they are soft, these foods aren't likely to cause discomfort so long as you eat them at a cool or warm temperature - nothing hot or super cold.
Once you have everything in place for your oral surgery, consider what you will do during your down time. Have some movies, books, or games you can play from a relaxed position to keep your mind busy, and then you won't make the mistake of doing too much during recovery.
If you aren't sure what all to have on hand or have any questions about your post-operation recovery, please contact our office, and we will be able to advise you on what you'll need for a comfortable recovery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Connection Between Diabetes and Gum Disease
|
If you have gum disease and diabetes, you must make sure you carefully manage your diabetes. If your diabetes goes uncontrolled, it means that more of the sugars that bacteria thrive on will end up in your mouth. This can take untreated gum disease and cause it to quickly grow to be out of control.
If you have diabetes but don't have gum disease, it becomes extra important that you control your glucose levels. If your glucose levels regularly rise and fall in extremes, it can create the ideal situation for gum disease to flourish. By taking good care of your overall health, it also helps you keep your oral health in check.
|
|
|
| Signs Your Toothbrush Has Seen Better Days |
Do you know when it is time to replace your toothbrush? They say it is every three months, but that is not always a perfect way of knowing. For the most accurate determination, you need to look at your toothbrush. If you notice that the bristles are splayed out, this is a good sign for replacement. The bristles will also become more translucent in most cases. You want bristles that are straight and soft in order to get the most debris off of your teeth. If this is not what you have, it is time to invest in a new toothbrush or a new head if your toothbrush is powered.
|
|
|
