Many people opt to have oral dental surgery, like having their wisdom teeth removed or getting dental implants, during the holidays. While it can be wise to take advantage of the time off work so you can get plenty of rest without any stressors or obligations, you may be wondering how this will affect your festivities while you recover. The good news is that you can enjoy this special time of the year and properly heal! Here are four tips on how to make it possible.
1. Make Rest Your Top Priority for the First Few Days
The first couple of days after oral surgery are when you should spend the most time resting. Overly strenuous activity or movements that increase blood flow could lead to additional discomfort. Also, if your surgery required heavier sedation, it could take up to 24 hours for the effects to wear off. Spending the first few days resting is critical for ensuring that you can celebrate the special holiday season with your friends and family.
2. Plan Travel Around Your Recovery Time
The holidays are often the time for the most traveling during the year. If you will be going out of town to visit loved ones, you should plan your departure date based on your recovery timeline. More than likely, it should only take a couple of days of rest after the surgery for you to feel well enough to travel by car. As far as traveling by plane, you may need to wait a while after surgery before it’s considered safe. Your dentist will let you know what’s best concerning all your travel considerations while recuperating from your oral surgery; be sure to ask beforehand so you can plan accordingly.
3. Plan Activities That You Can Participate in While Healing
You’ll have to watch from the sidelines if your friends and family are playing any physically active games during the early stages of your recovery. Fortunately, you can still join in the fun by bringing board games and card games that everyone can join in.
4. Choose Holiday-Appropriate Soft Foods
While having to stick to a soft-food diet during holiday meals is not ideal, there are plenty of seasonal foods that you can still enjoy! From mashed potatoes to stuffing to cranberry sauce, there are a range of nutritious yet tasty foods that can be eaten while your mouth is still healing. After several days of recovery, you should be able to eat most foods again (including holiday turkey!), but you should still avoid bones and anything else that is extremely hard.
With a little thoughtful consideration and care, you can easily heal from your oral surgery and enjoy your holidays with your loved ones!
About the Practice
Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery serves families through three locations and an exceptional team of oral surgeons. With decades of experience combined and a focus on exceptional care, our board-certified surgeons can help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile of your dreams! Using state-of-the-art technology and personalized plans, they will successfully guide you through every part of your oral surgery. To schedule a consultation, contact them through their website or call (703) 425-5010.