Re: upper lower jaw surgery

[Guest guest]

Get an inexpensive tape recorder or digital one, if you can manage

it, and record some stories, songs, even messages for her, now,

while it's easier for you to do...

Well, if you're wired shut, you won't be brushing anything much but

the outside of your teeth. The docs seem to kind of ease up at this

point, and say, " Do the best you can. "

Do invest in a baby toothbrush, because it will fit more easily. (or

maybe even some of those sponge-on-a-stick things, which are less

likely to disrupt the stitches, I'd think.) Do a lot of gentle

swishing with non-alcohol rinses (Biotene is one of the best) and

you can use it in a Waterpik, when your surgeon approves. WHEN YOUR

SURGEON APPROVES the waterpik -- that's important!!

Do be careful about being close to your child, physically. Some

children want to reach and grab, or bump your mouth. Generally, I

think, that does no damage. But you'll be more comfy if it doesn't

happen...

If it reassures you at all, my surgeon's partner, who assisted at

the surgery, told me on my first post-op appointment: " The only way

you're likely to hurt yourself is if you fall, and you are not going

to fall. If you think you are going to fall, just sit down. "

Actually, I have found that advice easier to repeat than to put into

practice, as I have some disorders of balance and am given to

tumbles. But it's a good thing to keep in mind, I believe.

Your mouth will get sort of gunky if you have a splint. Do watch out

for thrush, or candidiasis, or yeast infection, which just feels

nasty, burning, sometimes itchy. Smells, I'm told, of rising bread.

Also looks white, but how can you tell that, if you can't see your

tongue?

Probably you will have none of these troubles. But if you suspect

any, call your doc for reassurance and help..

And you may find that you and your little one have a special

language all your own...

C.

>

> I am having upper lower jaw surgery in 2 days. I am a teacher and

am

> expected to return to work at most in two weeks. I'm nervous

because

> I have a one year old and she can be rambunctios and what if i

can't

> talk to her, and how am I going to brush my teeth when I'm wired

shut

> for 5 weeks?I guess I still have a lot of questions

> jane papillion