OST Blog

Sometimes people feel a tiny bit nervous when they sit in the dental chair. And sometimes it’s more than a tiny bit. If your anxiety over oral surgery is leading you to postpone necessary wisdom tooth extraction, if worrying about an apicoectomy outweighs saving an infected tooth, if dreading an implant procedure means you would rather live with tooth loss than give us a call—give us a call! Sedation dentistry might be just the procedure you need to make dental anxiety a thing of the past.

Depending on your preferences, there are several levels of sedation Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter can provide to make your visit more comfortable.

• Minimal Sedation—this type of sedation leaves you calm and conscious, and you respond normally to verbal directions.
• Moderate Sedation—sometimes called “conscious sedation,” this option will leave you awake, relaxed and able to follow directions, but you will probably have little memory of the procedure afterward.
• Deep Sedation—a deeper level of sedation where you cannot be roused easily or respond to instructions. It is unlikely you will remember much or any of the dental treatment.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have four to six years of advanced education in hospital-based surgical residency programs following dental school. As part of their surgical studies, they train to administer and monitor all forms of anesthesia. Because anesthesia in all its varieties is a regular part of our practice, we have the medical knowledge and skill to provide you with a safe and comfortable sedation experience.

And we will prepare you with all the information you need to decide on any dental treatment, including sedation. We will describe the procedure in detail, and discuss any possible risks. If you have any health conditions or take any medications that might interfere with sedation, we can discuss your options with you and your doctor to make sure you are a good candidate. We will explain any preparations you should take, and let you know if there is a window of recovery time needed in our office while the sedation wears off.

Don’t let yourself suffer dental pain or discomfort because you suffer from dental anxiety! Please call our Virginia Beach, VA office to discuss your sedation options. Whatever you choose oral, inhaled, or IV sedation, we are trained to administer your treatment gently and safely. Above all, we want to help you keep your smile the heathiest it can be, and that only happens with proper dental care. Let us work with you to make that care as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Oral surgery, also known as maxillofacial surgery, addresses issues in the head, neck, jaw, face, and oral tissues. You may be referred to Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter if it’s the best course of treatment for your problem. As oral surgeons, we are specialized in anesthesia and pain control, which makes us your go-to for this type of care.

There are a few common signs to watch for because they might require oral surgery. Pain in the back of your jaw may be a signal of a wisdom tooth that needs to be removed. If you ignore the pain for an extended period of time and the impacted wisdom tooth begins to rot, that’s when surgery becomes necessary.

If you’ve been experiencing recurring pain in a single problem tooth, it could also be a sign that you’ll need to have oral surgery at some point; otherwise, there’s a potential for tooth loss. Jaw-joint issues that affect your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may cause pain and stiffness in your jaw or recurring headaches.

Oral surgery treatments include removal of teeth or abnormal mouth tissues, implant or appliance installment, care for infected gums, cleft lip/palate repair, or treatment of sleeping and jaw disorders. We may take a biopsy of your gum tissues if there’s a possibility that cysts or tumors are forming in your mouth. We’re even able to treat life-threatening facial infections and help manage sleep apnea.

Instead of waiting for symptoms to get worse, please contact our Virginia Beach, VA office if you’re experiencing any oral health issues that could lead to oral surgery.

By now, everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. But the truth is its broad-reaching health effects are not all known by everyone. This is especially true of oral health. Smoking can have serious repercussions in this regard. To give you a better idea of how smoking can affect your oral health, Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter and our team have listed some issues that can arise.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can have steep ramifications for anyone that gets it. Surgery can be required to eliminate the cancer before it spreads to more vital parts of your body. Any type of cancer is about the worst health effect you can get, and this especially holds true to the affects that smoking has on your mouth. The type of mouth surgery required with oral cancer can leave your face deconstructed in certain areas, and it is all due to smoking or use of other tobacco products.

Tooth Discoloration and Bad Breath

At the very least, it is fair to say that as a smoker you will often have bad breath, and while you may try to cover it up with gum or mints, tooth discoloration is a whole other story. The chemicals and substances in cigarettes stick to your teeth staining them brown and yellow colors that are increasingly difficult to disguise.

Gum Disease and Loss of Bone

Another effect of smoking is the increased risk of gum disease. Your gums may start to recede, which can eventually lead to the loss of teeth. Smoking can also increase bone loss and density in your jaw which is vital to the health of your mouth. Gum disease and bone loss are two signs that smoking is definitely bad for your mouth.

When it comes to the health of your mouth, the question is not whether smoking affects your health, it's how does it affect your health and to what degree. If for no other reason than because smoking involves your mouth as its entry point, it is safe to say that it can have long-lasting and detrimental consequences on your oral health.

To learn more about smoking and your oral health, contact our Virginia Beach, VA office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter.

You’ve chosen Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter for your extraction because oral surgeons are experts in this surgical procedure. When an extraction is necessary, whether because of impaction, injury, or infection, for orthodontic purposes, or for any other reason, we have the skill and experience to ensure that patients have the best possible surgical outcome.

And you want the best possible outcome for your recovery as well. What are some basic steps you can follow at home to speed the healing process? Here are the ABC’s of aftercare to help make your post-extraction recovery a speedy and healthy one.

• Antibiotics

Antibiotics aren’t generally necessary after oral surgery, but, if they are prescribed to prevent infection, be sure to take them as directed. Always finish the entire prescription to ensure that the antibiotics work properly. And, if you have any allergies to medications, always tell us in advance.

• Brush carefully

Don’t brush or floss in the area of your surgical site until you get our approval. You don’t want to damage delicate tissue or sutures. Be sure to brush and floss the rest of your teeth normally, because you want your mouth its cleanest while you heal, but no swishing or spitting! After the extraction, a clot will form to protect the socket, and you’ll need to be careful to avoid dislodging it. Otherwise, a painful condition called “dry socket” can result.

• Clean the extraction site as directed

The directions we will give you for cleaning the extraction site will depend on your specific surgery, but gentle rinsing is usually the recommended way to keep the area clean after oral surgery.

After 24-48 hours, depending on our instructions, you might be asked to use a salt water solution or a prescription rinse to gently cleanse the extraction area. Just remember, the “no forceful swishing or spitting” rule still applies! Rinse after eating and snacking to keep the extraction area clean and free from food particles. A good general rule is to avoid over-the-counter mouthwash for now, because the alcohol it contains can be irritating.

Even with careful attention, sometimes the wound site can become infected. If you notice any signs of infection, including severe pain, redness, prolonged swelling, pus or other discharge around the extraction, or fever or chills, call our Virginia Beach, VA office immediately. Other symptoms such as nausea, heart pain, or shortness of breath should also be reported at once.

• Diet

Eating a nutritious diet after oral surgery can help speed wound healing. Foods rich in proteins, vitamins A and C, and Zinc have been found to assist healing, while alcohol and smoking have the opposite effect.

And while you’re eating for health, eat for comfort, too. The traditional diet choices after an extraction are still the best. Soft, creamy foods such as yogurt, applesauce, pudding, or soft-serve ice cream are gentle on your healing tissue. Drink plenty of fluids in the days after surgery, including clear broth and non-acidic and non-carbonated beverages.

Temporarily eliminate foods from your diet that are grainy, seedy, or crunchy to keep particles out of the extraction site. Avoid sticky and chewy foods, which can dislodge the clot. And while you’re at it, take acidic and spicy foods off the menu—they can irritate sensitive tissue.

Be sure that you protect the clot that protects your socket. Foods that are too hot can interfere with clot formation over the wound, and any use of a straw or other suction can dislodge the clot completely. Use a spoon for your milkshake, and, of course, don’t smoke.

• Every patient is different!

While all of the above suggestions are good generally guidelines, we will have information that has been specifically tailored to your needs. Which leads us to the most important recommendation of all . . .

• Follow our aftercare instructions

You will receive detailed instructions after surgery. Following this advice to the letter is the very best way to make sure your mouth is its cleanest and healthiest.

Taking care of yourself after an extraction isn’t quite as easy as ABC (DEF), but with guidance from Dr. Ford and Dr. Guter, careful attention to the extraction site, and patience as you allow the healing process to take place, you have all the basics you need for a healthy recovery.