POST-ANESTHESIA CARE FOR ADULTS
Tulsa, OK dentists dedicated to your continued comfort
At Shortline Dental in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we continue to care deeply about your safety and comfort even after your dental procedure is completed. We understand that anesthesia can affect different people differently, including how they recover from it. In fact, for many of our patients, the very first time they receive anesthesia is at our dental practice, and they are unsure of what to expect. To equip all of our patients with the tools they need for a problem-free recovery, our dentists and in-house anesthesiologist have put together a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts, which you should take time to review before your procedure.
Steps to a smooth recovery
When you receive anesthesia, you receive medications that can alter your perception, memory and coordination. Though full recovery is expected within the day of the procedure, you can continue to experience effects of these medications for up to 24 hours. The most important thing that you can do after your procedure is to go home and rest. Recovering from anesthesia is best achieved by giving your body a chance to rest and not planning any activities. If you live alone, it is recommended that you arrange to have someone stay with you for at least 3 hours after you leave our office.
The instructions provided below address specific issues pertaining to your recovery. By following these instructions, it is expected that you will have an uneventful recovery.
What to avoid after anesthesia
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Operating any mechanical or electrical machinery/devices
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Driving for the remainder of the day. Allow at least 12 hours, if not longer, of no driving
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Making any important decisions or signing important documents
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Consuming alcoholic beverages and/or smoking for at least 24 hours
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Doing any unaccompanied activity
Activity after anesthesia
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Take your time when moving, and use someone’s assistance as much as possible.
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As you move from lying to sitting or sitting to standing, move slowly.
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If you experience any dizziness, lie or sit back down and rest.
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When climbing stairs, have someone help you.
Medications after anesthesia
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Resume taking any prescribed medications once you are drinking fluids.
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If you receive prescriptions for the procedure, take those as directed.
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Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Motrin, are very helpful to take for any pain.
Eating and drinking after anesthesia
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Liquids may be consumed as soon as possible. Begin with frequent small quantities of clear fluids, such as water, juice, or soda. Do not drink dairy products at first.
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Progress slowly from liquids to soups to solid foods. Increase your diet as desired, depending on how you feel.
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Take your time increasing your diet to help avoid nausea and possible vomiting.
If you experience any problems or difficulties after your procedure that are not discussed above, please call our office.
Contact us today for better dental health tomorrow
Our dentists and staff at Shortline Dental in Tulsa, OK look forward to serving you and your family. Call one of our three Tulsa offices today to schedule a visit, or make your appointment online. We offer flexible office hours, including some weekend hours, and we even accept walk-ins. Shortline Dental believes that high-quality dental care doesn’t need to come with a high cost, so we also gladly accept Medicaid and SoonerCare.