Whether an emergency or planned, nobody should miss out on holiday fun due to oral surgery. If you have a procedure scheduled or find yourself undergoing one unexpectedly, you may be wondering how you can still enjoy all those special events and festive foods while recovering. But don’t despair! It is possible to still have a good time and a variety of tempting treats following oral surgery. Here are some tips to help make the magic happen!
Rest Up
While it can be difficult to relax and let other people handle the holiday details, it is important that you rest as much as possible following oral surgery. Let someone else do the cooking and gift wrapping while you lie down and watch Rudolph. Your healing is more important than hanging lights or addressing cards.
Travel
If you’ll be hitting the road for your celebration, be sure to wait a few days after your procedure to travel. If you have recently had an extraction, you should wait at least 48 hours to fly, but ideally at least a week. For other modes of transportation, you can go a bit sooner but be sure to follow your aftercare instructions even if you’re away from home.
Diet
Following any type of oral surgery, it is recommended that you eat a soft diet, at least for the first three days, depending on the procedure. Holiday foods that fit the bill include:
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing (with no dried fruit or nuts)
- Baked yams
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Applesauce
You can also drink smoothies, protein shakes, ice cream, eggnog, and after a few days you can even try warm cider or hot chocolate if you are cleared for hot beverages.
Activities
While you may want to hit the slopes, lace up some skates, or hop on your sled, it’s best to temporarily stop strenuous activities following oral surgery. Take the role of the family photographer this year or stay inside with a good book and have some guilt-free quiet time while everyone else heads outdoors. After all, it’s cold out there!
Remember, it’s normal to want to participate in all the fun of the holiday season, but healing from your oral surgery should be your priority this year. Don’t put any undue stress on yourself by taking on too many activities and events and be sure to watch your diet so you don’t injure your mouth or delay your recovery.
About Our Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, we know that family is everything. That’s why we treat all of our patients like they’re one of us. We also understand that spending time with your own family is the best part of the holiday season, which is why we want to make it easier for you by providing high quality oral surgery solutions that will help you feel your best so you can focus on your loved ones and not dental pain.
For any questions or concerns about your recovery, or to schedule an appointment with us, please call us today at 571-777-6501, or visit our website.