I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
Whether you're having dental implants inserted, your wisdom teeth removed, or a badly decayed tooth pulled, recovering from dental surgery takes some time and patience. Eating in the days following surgery will be difficult, and you'll likely be prescribed pain medications that keep you comfortable, yet inhibit your ability to drive or work. Recovery is unlikely to be enjoyable, but by following these preparation tips, you can ensure that it's at least bearable.
Stock your refrigerator with soft and liquid foods prior to your surgical date.
For the first day or two after surgery, you probably won't want to chew on anything. Sipping on smoothies and eating plenty of applesauce and yogurt will provide your body with nourishment without putting strain on your jaw or irritating your surgical wounds. After several days, you'll be ready to move on to soft foods, such as soft-cooked pasta, rice, oatmeal and soups. Go shopping in advance of your surgical appointment, and stock your fridge and cupboards with these and other soft, easy-to-chew foods. This way, you won't find yourself stranded at home, unable to drive, with only pretzels and apples to eat.
Make sure a friend or family member is "on call" to help you if needed.
Unless you have a very complex surgical procedure, you should be able to recover without much help from a caregiver. However, it's important to make sure someone is available, just in case you need someone to pick up a last-minute prescription or run to the store for another gallon of ice cream. Let your family members know you are having surgery, and make a list of those who are not overly busy in the days after your surgery. Ask if it's okay to call them if you're in a pickle, and then don't be afraid to call if you do need something. It's far better to inconvenience a friend than it is to cause an accident by driving under the influence of opiate pain killers.
Take off enough time from work.
Many patients are overly confident about their abilities to resume normal activities following dental surgery. Pushing yourself too much too soon, however, can slow the healing process. Plus, you probably won't be able to do your best work when you're subsisting on applesauce and yogurt. Ask your dentist how long he or she recommends staying home from work, and then schedule your procedure when you're able to take off the recommended amount of recovery time.
Set up a comfortable relaxation station before you leave for your surgical appointment.
You're not going to feel like doing much when you get home from your surgery. Going upstairs to grab a pillow and blanket may not sound taxing now, but it will be hard when your jaw is pounding and you're feeling woozy from anesthesia. Make recovery easier on yourself by setting up a relaxation station before you leave for surgery. Include pillows, blankets, your favorite movies, and perhaps even a pre-filled glass of water so you don't have to get up for a few hours once you've settled in.
Fill your medicine cabinet with the essentials.
Prevent last-minute trips to the store by making sure you have the following items on hand:
Recovering from a simple dental procedure such as a tooth extraction may take only a few days, while recovering from mode involved procedures, such as having dental implants inserted, may take several weeks. Take the time to prepare before the procedure, so you can focus on healing and staying comfortable during recovery.
Share30 December 2014
