Dentists perform oral surgery for a multitude of reasons. Some of these are to reduce pain and swelling and to remove a decayed tooth. In some cases, oral surgery is performed to correct jaw alignment and for the placement of dental implants. Children also receive this kind of surgery when needed.
The surgery has different purposes. For example, a dentist in West Jordan, Utah, can perform a pediatric oral surgery on a child with a jaw joint disorder. Because of this, it’s important to know the basics of taking care of your child’s oral cavity post-surgery. This way, you can reduce the risk of complications that can be dangerous if not treated and controlled early.
Plan a Post-Operative Plan of Care
A post-operative plan of care involves planning transportation going home. Make sure to accompany your child back. You can choose to take a cab or drive your car. If you cannot go with them, ask a family member or relative to do it for you. In some cases, the anesthesia may not wear off immediately, and your child can experience dizziness and numbness.
At home, make sure someone stays with your child at all times if you are unable to. This way, you don’t worry about your child being alone after the surgery. In case a complication arises, you have someone to call you right away.
Eating and Drinking After Surgery
Some oral surgeries require general anesthesia, and some need only local ones. If you opt for general anesthesia for your child, you should take note of the post-operative precautions and rules. Your child can’t eat or drink right after or about a couple of hours after surgery.
Also, drinking hot beverages is prohibited because it can induce bleeding. In some cases, doctors will prescribe antibiotics and pain killers to prevent infection and to reduce the pain and swelling.
Expect your child’s oral cavity, including nearby tissues in the face, to swell for a week or two. Use a cold compress in the first 24 hours and a warm compress in the succeeding hours to reduce swelling and hasten the healing.
Follow-up Checkup
Always go to your child’s follow-up checkup because it’s a vital way to detect signs of infections or bleeding. It’s usually scheduled a week after the operation. The doctor needs to see the operative site if there are too much swelling and infection. If there’s an infection, they might prescribe other antibiotics.
If it’s not treated, an infected surgical site can lead to other complications, which can become severe. A problem can be blood infection, and the bacteria might travel down to the throat and the heart. It’s essential to follow the instruction given by the oral surgeon to ensure fast healing and recovery.
Oral surgery is considered minor, but it’s vital to follow the dentist’s guidelines to prevent complications. Knowing what to do after surgery is crucial so that you won’t experience mishaps and problems with your child.
The faster their wound heals, the better their prognosis is, and the faster they can go back to their regular activities and diet. You can also rest easy when the results of your child’s oral surgery go well.
