The holiday season is a time for celebration, spreading joy, and spending quality moments with loved family and friends. However, if you have recently undergone oral surgery, you’ll be presented with a unique set of challenges this year when it comes to fully enjoying yourself. That said, don’t despair—with a little careful consideration and planning, you can still make the most of this special season without jeopardizing your recovery! Here are a few tips from your oral surgeon that are certain to help.
Tip #1. Carefully Consider Your Holiday Diet
During the healing phase, it’ll likely be difficult to eat and chew normally—and you’ll also probably be given a specific list of dietary guidelines to facilitate proper healing inside the mouth. It’s crucial that you stick to these guidelines carefully, no matter what holiday dishes might be tempting you. Soft, bland foods that are easy to chew and swallow are ideal, and you should avoid anything spicy or acidic. Some holiday foods that remain good options include:
- Soups and broths
- Mashed potatoes and stuffing
- Baked yams and sweet potatoes
- Yogurt, Jell-O, and pudding
- Apple sauce and other mashed fruits
- Smoothies and milkshakes
It also never hurts to inform your family and friends about your dietary restrictions; this can help them to better accommodate your treatment plan, and they’re certain to be understanding!
Tip #2. Sideline Yourself from Sports & Exercise
While the holidays can be lively, especially if you have family in town who enjoy a game of pick-up football after dinner, it’s important to rest and focus on your healing after you undergo oral surgery. Exercise and strenuous physical activity can cause increased blood flow, which might cause more discomfort and further swelling. Additionally, if you’re not eating or drinking much following surgery, physical activity might lead to feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.
Tip #3. Plan Your Travels Accordingly
If you’re traveling during the holidays, you likely won’t need to put things on hold, but for car travel, you should give yourself a couple of days of rest beforehand. For most procedures, traveling by air doesn’t present a significant hazard after the first few days, though there are cases where it might be recommended to wait a while before traveling. Swelling and bruising are common after oral surgery but shouldn’t be increased by travel after the first few days. To reduce swelling and discomfort, you should utilize cold compresses/ice packs.
You should also stick to your oral hygiene routine even during the hustle and bustle of the holidays—don’t let up, no matter how busy things get, as this is especially important as you’re recovering from oral surgery!
About the Practice
The team at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Alexandria, Reston, and Burke for several years, offering a wide range of oral surgery services for patients from all walks of life. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, you can contact them online to receive assistance. Alexandria Office Telephone: (571) 777-6501.