What is An Oral Surgeon?

When you have oral health concerns or want to get a routine checkup, you may wonder if you should see a dentist or an oral surgeon. In deciding, it’s important to know just what an oral surgeon is!

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dental specialists recognized by the American Dental Association. They are surgically trained in a hospital-based residency program for a minimum of four years after graduating from dental school. They train alongside medical residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and anesthesiology, and spend time in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, emergency medicine, and other specialty areas.

What Oral Surgeons Do

Oral and facial surgeons have the knowledge and expertise that uniquely qualifies them to diagnose and treat a number of functional and aesthetic conditions of the bone, skin, and muscle of the face, mouth, and jaw. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Dental implant surgery
  • Wisdom teeth extraction
  • Other extractions
  • Endodontic surgery
  • Facial aesthetic surgery
  • Facial trauma
  • Cleft lip/palate
  • TMJ/TMD and facial pain
  • Oral cancer

In addition, oral surgeons are trained in all aspects of anesthesia and sedation methods, including local anesthesia, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. They have received training in airway management, endotracheal intubation, establishing and maintaining intravenous lines, and managing complications and emergencies that may arise during the administration of anesthesia.

Conclusion 

If you have any questions or need to see an oral surgeon, contact Shawn B. Davis at Oral & Facial Surgery Institute, (435) 238-7083 today.

What to Avoid After a Tooth Extraction

Did you recently get your tooth extracted after it was causing you a lot of pain? To make the post-extraction period a little less painful, we have crafted a short guide on what to do. With adequate care, you can minimize the risk of infections, complications, and further pain. Whenever you overlook dental care, it may result in dire consequences such as a dry socket.

There are plenty of things and activities that dentists have their patients avoid. One of the common examples is avoiding carbonated beverages and fast food. 

What you should not do after a Tooth Extraction 

There are some factors that may trigger pain and discomfort after tooth extraction. It is important to avoid these things for a swift recovery. Prescribed care not only speeds up the recovery process but also reduces the risk of developing a dry socket. 

  • Smoking

Smokers have to refrain from smoking for at least a day or two after tooth extraction. This is necessary since the chemicals in tobacco can negatively impact the blood clotting and escalate the chances of developing a dry socket. 

  • Avoid Straws

You should also avoid using straws since they may dislodge your clot. Whenever you suck from a straw, it applies pressure on your mouth, which may lead to bleeding. Therefore, it is important that you avoid them altogether in the first few days of tooth extraction. 

  • Avoid Spitting

It is evident that you may develop more bleeding and saliva in your mouth. This may lead you to spit more than necessary. Similar to using straws, spitting can apply pressure inside your mouth may increase the chances of bleeding. What you can do instead is let the saliva and blood drip out on the sink. 

  • Don’t Probe the Extraction Site from Tongue

After tooth removal, you may feel tempted to feel the site of extraction. But it is integral to keep your tongue away from it since it can dislodge a healing clot. Ultimately, it may lead to a dry socket, which is a super painful experience. 

  • Avoid Hard Foods

It is important for you to avoid eating food that requires plenty of chewing. Chewing may exert plenty of pressure inside, which may lead to bleeding. Foods such as fruits with seeds and or small grains can cause discomfort at the extraction site. Therefore, it is integral for you to stay patient for a few days after the extraction. 

  • Don’t Use a Toothbrush

We are all aware that oral hygiene is necessary. However, it is important that keep your toothbrush away after the tooth extraction since it dislodges the clot and leads to excessive bleeding. Until your extraction site is fully healed, you shouldn’t use a toothbrush. 

Final Thoughts 

Tooth extraction can prove to be a painful process, but for effective extraction of teeth, you should approach the right professional. Before going ahead with the removal, make sure the dentist possesses adequate certification, skills, and experience in tooth removal. 

For best treatment, contact Oral & Facial Surgery Institute (OFSI) today! Call us to book an appointment right now! Phone: (435) 220-2095, Fax: (435) 673-0330