If your teen is scheduled for dental surgery, it's best to prepare in advance. This is especially important if the surgery involves wisdom teeth removal. This type of surgery can be lengthy. It can also take extra time to recover. If your teen doesn't know what to expect, they may not be able to recover as well as they should. Here are some tips you can use to help your teen recover from dental surgery.
Prepare for Pain
If your teen needs dental surgery, prepare for the pain. Your teen may experience significant pain during the first few days of recovery. They may still feel the effects of the anesthesia for several hours after the surgery. But once that wears off, you'll need to provide them with pain relief. If the dentist plans on providing a prescription for pain medication, ask for that in advance. That way, you can have the prescription on hand as soon as you get home with your teen.
Go Over the Post-Op Orders
If your teen has dental surgery scheduled, go over the post-op orders. After the surgery, your dentist will give you a list of instructions that your teen will need to follow. Before you leave the office, go over the instructions with the dentist. If you're not sure about any of the instructions, ask for clarification. The dentist may talk to your teen about the instructions. But you want to make sure you go over them as well. This is especially important if your teen receives anesthesia. Your teen may not remember what they discuss if they're still groggy.
Make Sure They Rest
If your teen is going to have dental surgery, make sure they get plenty of rest. They may feel the need to sleep the first day after surgery. But after that, they may want to get up and resume their normal routine. If they try to do too much too soon, they could delay their recovery. Make sure they don't have problems during their recovery. Put them on bed rest for at least the first couple of days following surgery. Make sure they have things to keep them occupied while they're confined to their bed.
Watch for Signs of infection
If your teen will be having dental surgery, know the signs of infection. You'll need to keep a close eye on the surgical site while it heals. Some of the signs you'll need to watch for include the following:
- Throbbing jaw pain
- Fever
- Facial swelling
If your teen experiences any of those symptoms, contact their dentist right away. They may have a post-operative infection.
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