Dental Surgery And Anesthesia: 4 Ways To Regain Energy And Clear Your Brain Fog
If you're scheduled for surgery at your local dental clinic, chances are you've thought about your post-operative recovery. Although most people accept that convalescence is a time of nauseating lows and what feels like a head swirling with flurry, recuperating from a dental procedure and anesthetic needn't be a forecast for turbulence.
In addition to your surgeon's recommendations, keep these tips on your radar and you'll feel calm and haze-free. You'll be back to eating peanut brittle in no time.
Start With A Sunny Outlook
Combat the perennial pressure of surgery by preparing your body to cope with its after-effects. These supplements bolster your body's natural defences and actively promote mouth tissue repair.
Vitamin C
500-1000mg taken 2 weeks before your treatment will lessen the chance of your body going into surgical shock. Vitamin C also helps to sandbag the flood of free radicals produced in your body during surgery. Free radicals are molecules that oxidise and damage otherwise healthy cells. After wisdom tooth removal or extractions, vitamin C speeds up the healing of incision sites.
Beta Carotene
Your mouth will reap the healing benefits of 25000 IU (international units) of beta carotene when taken for up to a month before your procedure and 2 weeks post operatively. This organic compound will strengthen your mouth's mucous membranes, guarding against cheek or tongue ulcers that can form due to surgical stress or lowered immunity. Beta carotene also has energy and strength giving properties. This is helpful after deep dental surgery such as periodontal or root planing.
Filter Pollutants
Your liver will love you! Despite the fact the largest gland in your body excels at reducing circulating toxins, anesthetic increases the demand on your liver significantly. Milk thistle is a powerful herb that bolsters your liver's detoxifying ability to eradicate anesthetic's notorious cloud-headed feeling.
See your local pharmacy 1 month before your procedure to start on a once a day 35g capsule or tablet formulation. Continuing this supplement for up to 1 month after root canal procedures, implants or orthodontic work (e.g. braces) will help to conquer the nausea related to pain-relieving medications or anesthesia.
Bacterial Disturbance With A Chance Of Fungus
Dental work often necessitates a course of antibiotics to hinder the chance of infection or treat bacterial growth and inflammation at incision sites, such as thrush. Thrush is a whirlwind you can do without! The condition lowers your appetite and opportunity for energy-extending nutrition, delaying your recovery (and peanut brittle eating) time.
Lessen the chance of contracting oral thrush (characterised by a white/yellowish coating on your tongue or patches on inner cheeks) by optimising your immune system with a 25 billion strength pro-biotic. Building your body's reserve of health-giving flora 1 month before your appointment will energise your entire system to prevent a pesky yeast overgrowth.
Don't Evaporate – Rehydrate!
Increasing your fluid intake—particularly water—will further assist the elimination of anesthetic, medication residue and micro-particles absorbed during your dental procedure.
Oral dryness, headaches, dizziness and post-operative malaise improve with a minimum of 2-3 litres of water per day. Water's rejuvenating effects aren't limited to purifying—it also remedies dental issues like:
- Acid build up (due to prescription medication or eating) by restabilising the protective alkaline nature of your mouth
- Brittle teeth (as fluoride in drinking water strengthens tooth enamel)
- Sticky, cavity producing bacteria (by rinsing it away)
- Trauma induced swelling (water keeps your lymphatic system and kidneys recirculating and eliminating excess fluid)
Drink water through a straw if you have limited movement or jaw pain after your dental surgery.
Don't freeze with fear about your impending dental surgery. Remember that a slow recovery is optional! Tell your dentist and surgeon about any supplements taken and weathering the storm of your dental procedure will truly be a breeze!