Now that the holiday season is in full swing, you’re probably gearing up for all sorts of festivities and fun plans. But if you’ve recently undergone oral surgery in Rio Rancho, you might be worried that your holiday schedule is in jeopardy due to your recovery. Fortunately, this isn’t the case at all. Here are some tips from your dentist to help you enjoy your holidays while you’re healing up from oral surgery.
Watch What You Eat
If you’ve undergone oral surgery and received something like dental implants, then you need to be extra careful about what you eat during the holidays so that you’re setting your implants up for success. During this crucial healing phase, you should stick with soft, bland foods that are easy to digest, and also avoid anything spicy or acidic—though these items won’t truly impact your healing, they will still cause additional discomfort.
It’s pretty important to maintain good nutrition for proper healing, so drinking plenty of fluids and eating small meals frequently can be useful. Some examples of good holiday foods to enjoy include:
- Soups and broths
- Mashed potatoes and stuffing
- Baked yams
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Apple sauce and other mashed fruits
- Smoothies and milkshakes
Sideline Yourself from Physical Activities
One of the best things you can do to ensure an optimal recovery is take it easy! Oral surgery is still surgery, and your body will need time to recuperate afterwards. If you’re receiving dental implants, osseointegration (the fusion between implant and jawbone) requires some time–and you certainly don’t want to risk disrupting this process!
If your family traditions involve tossing the football or going for a jog after dinner, you might want to sideline yourself this year; physical exercise or activity can increase your blood flow and potentially cause disruption to the healing sites inside your mouth.
Plan Accordingly
If you’re preparing to travel during the holidays, you likely won’t need to put things on hold. If you’re planning to travel by car or train, just give yourself a couple of days of rest prior and you should be fine. And for most procedures, traveling by air doesn’t present a significant hazard after the first few days. There are certain cases, however, 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, icing the area right after the procedure is key. You can make a cold compress out of an ice pack, a plastic bag filled with ice, or even a frozen bag of vegetables.
Knowing how to properly handle your recovery from oral surgery will ensure that no matter what you’ve got going on during the holidays, your smile is capable of healing up and you’re still able to have a nice time!
About the Author
Dr. Hamid Ranjbaran has proudly served patients and families in the Rio Rancho area for several years. Dr. R received his dental degree from the Baylor College of Dentistry and is a proud member of many different professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the notable Academy of General Dentistry. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact Dr. R through his practice’s website or over the phone for assistance: (505) 896-9399.