November 2019

How to Enjoy the Holidays After Oral Surgery

Venture Creative on November 29, 2019

For anyone that is planning on having surgery before the holidays, some of the most wonderful food is soft enough to still eat. So, if you thought you would be missing out on food, think again. Here are a few of the best things to eat during the holidays after oral surgery.

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are probably one of the first foods you thought about when it comes to a big holiday dinner. Good thing that these wonderful mountains of mouthwatering potatoes are on the safe list to eat this holiday season.

Aside from being soft enough, potatoes are also rich in calories and nutrients which is essential for proper healing.

Green Beans

Not only are green beans a nice low-calorie side, they are soft enough to eat!

Tender green beans are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, Vitamin K, and folate. They are a great post-surgery food AND they are good for you too!

Yams

Yams are yet another delicious dish that makes for a great post oral surgery eat! Yams alone have a lot of nutrients and antioxidants that help fight inflammation. They have many benefits and are quite healthy, if you avoid eating them with marshmallows that is.

Pie

Alright, we have saved the best for last. PIE! As long as there are no nuts or seeds in it, pie is a good soft food to consume post-surgery. Pie is typically soft enough and uses little to no chewing. Soft and sweet, let your recent surgery be the excuse for eating too much pie.

Avoid

There are unfortunately foods that will need to be avoided or eaten with caution. You will want to be cautious with meat as it tends to be too tough to chew. With stuffing, some are made with hard bits and chunks which can get stuck into sites and cause irritation. Take caution with rolls. They may be soft, but they can get trapped in open wounds. Avoid things like pecan pie, or at least remove the pecans before eating. Avoiding nuts and seeds are key to healing.

To set up a consultation, please call our office at (435) 238-7083.

What Happens If I Don’t Replace Missing Teeth?

Venture Creative on November 15, 2019

When you lose a tooth, replacement options can be very time consuming and expensive. Healing time and financial concerns are both valid things to worry about. Let us inform you on why replacing your missing teeth is a good investment cosmetically and health-wise.

Bone Loss

When you remove a tooth and don’t replace it, it can actually cause bone loss. This happens when there is no root or replacement for bone to form around, so over time it disappears. This is why patients who receive dentures have a “sunken” look to their face because their actual bone is deteriorating.

Teeth Shifting

It may sound weird, but your mouth doesn’t like empty spaces! For example, if a lower tooth is missing, the two teeth to the side and above that empty space will try to close the gap.

Wear & Tear

Missing a tooth can cause wear and tear on other surrounding teeth. If a tooth is gone the other teeth have to make up for that one from a chewing standpoint, sometimes causing uneven wear of the teeth.

Cosmetic

If you have a missing tooth in the front of your smile, it’s not always inviting or aesthetically pleasing. Living with missing teeth can cause the patient to be embarrassed or have low self-esteem. If you have to live without a tooth, know there are replacement options to help you feel like yourself again and get you back to that confident state.

Implants

Replacing a tooth with an implant can sometimes be a financial concern, they aren’t the cheapest option on the market. That is because implants are the alternative that is closest to a natural tooth. Studies have shown they are the strongest option and longest-lasting, therefore providing you with the best bang for your buck.

Let the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute help you out! Whether you just lost a tooth, or if you have been missing a tooth for a long time, we will be there from start to finish to help you get your smile back! Contact our office for a consultation today!

Foods You Can Eat After Wisdom Teeth Surgery

Venture Creative on November 8, 2019

Getting your wisdom teeth removed is a fairly easy surgery with just a few days of rest. Since your wisdom teeth are at the very back of your mouth it easy for them to become crowded and impacted. When this happens you’ll need to get them removed.

Once the surgery is completed, soft foods are recommended after surgery for the next three to four days. Even though there is a diet restriction, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of your favorite foods. Here are just a few ideas of what you can still enjoy!

BREAKFAST:

Smoothies- Smoothies are great breakfast option that allows you to get in some fruits and vegetables into your diet. They are a quick and easy to make and can be changed up to give yourself some options.
Oatmeal- Oatmeal is soft enough so you do not need to chew much to eat it. It is a great source of fiber that aids in digestion. It also can be prepared savory or sweet, depending on your mood.
Yogurt- Yogurt is another great protein packed breakfast food. It is also full of good bacteria that helps in keeping your digestion regular, especially when you are taking pain medication.
Banana- Bananas are a good source of potassium that aids in the healing process. They are also a good treat for when you are craving something sweet!

LUNCH/DINNER

Soup- Soups can be blended and heated as a good hearty meal that is filling and still flavorful.
Protein Shakes- Protein shakes are a quick and easy way to get some protein in your stomach.
Eggs- Eggs are a great source of protein that allow your body to heal after surgery. Eggs are the perfect savory food that requires minimal chewing and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

With these delicious options, you won’t be missing out. If it is time for your wisdom teeth to be removed, call our office today for a consultation (435) 220-2324.

5 Ways Dental Implants Can Change Your Life

Venture Creative on November 1, 2019

It can be pretty upsetting when you lose a tooth, even more so if you spend thousands of dollars on replacing the tooth only to have the replacement break or fail. Dental implants are the best option if you want something that is going to last a lifetime if properly taken care of. Here are five ways that dental implants can change your life.

Natural

Dental implants look, and believe it or not, feel like a natural tooth. It can be very discouraging and embarrassing when you are missing teeth. Having dental implants can help bring back your confidence and leave you with a beautiful, complete smile.

Eating

If you have any teeth that are loose or missing it can make eating very difficult and painful. Dental implants actually help improve the quality of chewing – enhancing eating capability just like a natural tooth would.

Long-Lasting

Some replacement options such as bridges and partials don’t last very long until they break and you find yourself replacing the replacement.

Implants are integrated into the jaw bone and are made to last a lifetime if properly taken care of. They are known to be strong and durable and have a very high success rate.

Easy to Clean

Dental implants stand solo and do not affect the surrounding teeth. That means you can still floss on both sides of the implant and you can brush your teeth like you normally would, therefore being able to maintain the best oral hygiene possible.

Convenience

With a traditional denture, you have to remove them every night, and put them back in every morning. With dental implants, they become a part of you and most people claim to forget what tooth is actually the “fake” one.

Come visit Dr. Shawn Davis at the Oral and Facial Surgery Institute to find out if dental implants are right for you!