In addition to festive parties and end-of-year treats, one of the best parts of the holiday season is a break from 9 to 5. It’s a great time to get away from it all – or to get things done you don’t normally have time for, like finally scheduling that oral surgery. If you’re planning on wisdom teeth removal or another procedure this month, find out how you can still enjoy the festive holidays even as you heal.
Stick to Soft Foods
No matter the procedure that you had, your mouth will be healing for the first few days up to a week or two afterward. It will probably be uncomfortable to chew right at first. For this reason, it is often recommended for patients recovering to eat soft, bland foods in the first day or two following the oral surgery. Avoiding acidic or spicy foods is also a good idea – not because they will delay healing, but because they may cause discomfort at the procedure site.
Fortunately for those recovering from oral surgery, the holiday season is traditionally known for a number of delicious soft foods that you can enjoy with abandon, including:
- Stuffing/dressing
- Cream soups
- Rolls and breads
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked yams/sweet potatoes
- Pudding and cake
Plan Travel Accordingly
If you have just had an oral procedure, this year may not be the best for travel. Hopping a plane or getting in the car for a long trip won’t necessarily delay your healing, but you may not be able to get the rest you need to recover quickly from your procedure if you have a big trip planned.
However, there is nothing saying you can’t travel – and if you still plan to go on that voyage, make things easier on yourself by getting as much rest as you can before and after your flight or car trip – and ice the area in the hours following the procedure to reduce swelling as well.
Stick to the Sidelines
Does your family or friend group look forward to playing a rousing football or basketball game around the holidays? If so, this should be your year to volunteer to keep score or cheer from the sidelines. You will want to avoid any contact sport for at least a week or two following most oral procedures, especially something like wisdom teeth removal that may have you taking pain medication or with stitches.
You can still get your friendly dose of competition in with your favorite board or card game. So don’t forget to have those on hand!
In short, the holidays can be a great time to finally get that oral surgery done – and there’s no reason you have to sacrifice your usual fun as you heal from the procedure.
Meet the Practice
The Cambria Smiles team is made up of three excellent dentists and a team of hygienists, assistants, and other professionals working to ensure that their patients enjoy excellent experiences and healthy, beautiful smiles. They can provide a host of oral surgery procedures along with professional post-operative advice to help you heal comfortably. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Cambria Smiles directly at (805) 927-4811.