If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that everyone feels anxious when undergoing oral surgery. From fears about outright pain to general discomfort, it’s understandable why you feel apprehensive at best and terrified at worst when you see an oral surgeon.
The good news? Living in the 21st century, oral surgery has drastically improved, even within the last few decades. Pain management (hello, anesthesia): check! Highly sterile conditions (all tools sterilized before and after use): check. Surgical methods and results that actually improve your quality of life (think dental implants): check. If you need to have a tooth pulled, consider oral surgery Grand Junction for your dental needs.
As many myths still cloud people’s perceptions of oral surgery, it’s time to bust some myths!
Myth #1: All oral surgeries are super painful
The biggest myth out there is that most folks assume all oral surgeries must be extremely painful. But you can thank anesthesia for taking care of the pain when you’re undergoing oral surgery. For example, when getting their wisdom teeth removed, most folks don’t even remember anything about the actual procedure. How nice is that? At most, you may feel some poking and prodding in your gums during teeth extraction, but no actual pain.
Myth #2: Oral surgery is for adults only
Kids can experience trauma to the teeth and mouth from an accident, meaning they require oral surgery. Children with cleft palate (an opening at the roof of the mouth) require oral surgery to safely close the gap.
Some folks also assume elderly folks can’t receive oral surgery. False! Many seniors require dental implants for missing teeth or surgery to address decaying gums and rotted teeth.
Myth #3: Oral surgery is only for the most complicated, “toothy” crisis
Yes, it’s true that oral surgery can and does address severe dental injuries and decay. However, oral surgery often involves common procedures, such as wisdom tooth extraction.
Myth #4: All oral surgeries are basically teeth removal
Not all oral surgeries involve tooth extraction. In fact, oral surgeries can address jaw injuries or painful bites. Oral surgeries can also check for cancer and replace bone in the jaw (bone grafts).
Myth #5: Dental implants are strictly for cosmetic purposes
There’s no doubt that dental implants can restore confidence in your smile and overall confidence. However, dental implants are more than just for looks. Dental implants restore functionality, as they act and feel like real teeth. Plus, dental implants help prevent bone resorption, or when your jaw begins to deteriorate in the spot where you’re missing a tooth. The dental implant’s “root” (a screw) stimulates the jawbone and surrounding tissue, keeping the area healthy.
Myth #6: Dental implants commonly fail
Actually, dental implants have a success rate of 90%-95%. Failure typically occurs when patients do not follow aftercare instructions. For example, some patients believe they don’t need to floss as much, if at all, since they now have a dental implant. False! Take care of your dental implants just as you would with real teeth: daily brushing and flossing.
Myth #7: I won’t be able to function at all after oral surgery
While it’s true that the recovery process can vary per person, many folks can resume everyday activities shortly after surgery. Be sure to follow your oral surgeon’s post-care instructions and ask any questions.
Myth #8: After oral surgery, I can light up
After undergoing oral surgery, you may be tempted to smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco to ease your pain and anxiety. However, tobacco products can significantly impact your recovery while also putting you at risk of infection. As nicotine decreases blood flow, surgical sites receive less oxygen, slowing down the healing process. This is especially true for bone grafts and dental implants. Want to avoid gum issues and dental implant failure? Then avoid tobacco use for the best post-surgical outcomes.
Oral Surgery: A Reason To Be Glad You Live in the 21st Century
In the first world, gone are the days of pulling teeth with unsterilized tools, and without the benefit of anesthesia. The combination of cutting-edge technology (such as lasers) and truly effective pain management options make oral surgery an effective solution to painful, missing, misaligned, and/ or decaying teeth. So, you can take a deep breath knowing that oral surgery is here to improve your quality of life.
This article was written by Leah Campbell for Third Loft Marketing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or oral surgeon for advice regarding their specific oral health needs and conditions.
