Dr. Thomas J. Dietrich, DDS, MD

About 90% of people need to get their wisdom teeth removed. If you are a part of that 90%, you might be wondering what the steps are post-surgery. Taking it easy and getting a lot of rest is a key step to a quick recovery. Another big step is knowing what you can and can’t eat. Here is a list of foods you can indulge in post-surgery.

1. Ice Cream: After having a minor surgery, it’s okay to treat yourself with a little sweet. The coolness will not only feel good, but it will also help sooth inflamed tissue. Try to avoid eating cones and flavors of ice cream with large chunks in them like chocolate chips and nuts.
2. Soup: Soup is a great food to have on hand after your surgery. It provides protein and the broth is easy to eat. If you choose this brothy goodness, make sure you aren’t eating large pieces of vegetables and the temperature of the soup isn’t too hot.
3. Mashed potatoes: Not only are mashed potatoes delicious, but they are easy to make and they really are the perfect post-surgery food. You can smother them with gravy, butter or sour cream. Top the meal with whatever sounds good to you, but make sure there aren’t large potato chunks you’ll have to chew. Another route you could take is mashed sweet potato. Top it with butter and cinnamon to take this savory treat to sweet!
4. Smoothies (NO STRAWS): Smoothies are a great source to get all the nutrients your body will need. You can make different flavors with fruits and vegetables. Prepack your smoothie packs before you have your surgery so all you have to do is blend and enjoy. You could also add in different protein powders or vitamins to help your body. If you choose to make a smoothie, DO NOT USE A STRAW. Sucking on a straw could disrupt your healing process and create dry sockets.

These are just a few ideas of what you can eat post-surgery. There are a ton of other options. Get creative and indulge in the snacks you wouldn’t normally eat for your main course. If you have any hesitations or questions on what you can’t and can eat, call our office. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Canton Office Phone Number 330-494-6653

Orthognathic surgery, also known as “jaw surgery“, is used to correctly align an improper bite or jaw position. If you are thinking of undergoing jaw surgery, here are a few tips to help you with your recovery.

1. Get Plenty of Rest
   A key to helping your body recover is to rest as much as you can. Find things to keep you entertained as you take it easy such as coloring, reading, or a new TV show. Keeping yourself entertained will help the time to pass faster.
2. Stay on a Regular Schedule
   While resting is important, staying on a regular schedule will help you feel productive while you recover. As you begin to feel mobile, take short walks outside.
3. Apply Heat and Ice
   Applying heat and ice regularly will help to combat facial swelling and reduce your discomfort. You will be the most swollen during your first week of recovery. Keep an extra ice pack in the freezer so you always have one ready to go.
4. Meal Prepping
   Meal prepping before your procedure will help you in the long run. During recovery, you may not feel like cooking. Having pre-planned meals will let you easily prepare nutritious meals with minimal effort. Some great meal ideas to prepare ahead of time are smoothies, soups and homemade juices.
5. Stay Hydrated
   Drinking enough water is important for allowing your body to heal and for avoiding dehydration. You might have to remind yourself to drink water so keep a water bottle handy and sip throughout the day.

Corrective jaw surgery recovery can seem like a long process, but once your jaw has healed, you will have a more healthy, attractive and functional jaw. If you believe that you would be a good candidate for jaw surgery, contact our office for a consultation at Canton Office Phone Number 330-494-6653.

We all know that for most people, wisdom teeth need to be removed in order to prevent serious dental problems! But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a wisdom tooth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that typically grow in during a person’s late teens/early twenties.

Why are they called “wisdom” teeth?

Formally known as “third molars”, wisdom teeth developed their name due to the late nature of their arrival, at an age where people are “wiser” than when their other teeth grow in (during childhood).

What is their purpose?

Today, wisdom teeth are no longer needed in order for us to process food. Back in the day, however, when the human diet consisted of tough meats and fibrous vegetables, an extra molar was needed to break down food. Scientists have not discovered a common day use for wisdom teeth, as they are not needed for chewing modern food.

Why do wisdom teeth need to be removed?

Over the years, human jaws have become much smaller, making the space too crowded for wisdom teeth. Therefore, when wisdom teeth start growing in, they push on the teeth that have already established themselves. Once they start pushing on other teeth, the alignment of a person’s mouth is affected. Wisdom teeth can easily become “impacted”. This means that they are trapped underneath a person’s gums and are unable to fully erupt, which can be painful. Since wisdom teeth aren’t needed and can affect your smile and health negatively, we recommend that most people have them removed. For the few pepole that don’t get their wisdom teeth removed, serious dental health problems can occur down the road.

If you’re curious about the status of your wisdom teeth – contact us today at 330-494-6653 and we will go over your options with you!

Our staff spotlight this month is Trisha! She is our check-in receptionist and is always greeting patients with a smile. She’s been with us 5 ½ years and is a great member of our team!

Where are you from?

Canton, Ohio

Likes and interests (how many kids, hobbies, etc):

I enjoy reading and playing with my puppy Remington.

How long you have worked for the practice?

5½ years

Why you like working for Dr. Dietrich:

He is very intelligent, hardworking and caring toward his staff and patients.

What you love about northeast Ohio:

Summer, sunshine

Fav sports teams:

Cleveland Cavs, Cleveland Browns

Favorite TV Shows, movies:

Anything on HGTV, Grey’s Anatomy, Fifty First Dates

Favorite books:

Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Twilight

Our next staff spotlight is Stephanie! Stephanie is one of our Surgical Assistants.

Where are you from?

Canton, Ohio

Likes and interests (how many kids, hobbies, etc):

2 boys, 8 and 10. My hobbies consist of watching my kids play sports and reading.

How long you have worked for the practice?

5 years in May

Why you like working for Dr. Dietrich:

Dr. Dietrich is wonderful to work for. He treats his staff great and is always understanding.

What you love about northeast Ohio:

Weather!!

Fav sports teams:

Indians

Favorite TV Shows, movies:

Grey’s Anatomy, Reality TV

Favorite books:

Too many to name

Oral cancer is a cancer that develops within the mouth or oral cavity. But it doesn’t just affect the mouth, it can involve the lips, tongue, throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx and sinuses. There are many factors that can cause oral cancer, but smoking is one of the biggest lifestyle choices that can increase the risk of disease. The Mouth Cancer Foundation found that 90% of those with oral cancer consumed tobacco. When you combine heavy use of alcohol and tobacco, the risk is even greater.

Oral Cancer Statistics

9,750 people die from oral cancer each year in the U.S, and oral cancer represents about 4% of all cancers and 2.2% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. After reading those stats, you might be wondering how you can avoid being a part of these grim numbers.

Preventing Oral Cancer

The first step is to choose a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to eat a balanced diet, exercise, avoid alcohol (or drink in moderation) and avoid tobacco usage altogether. But it’s also important to recognize all the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so that it can be caught early on.

Here are a few oral pathology signs to watch out for:

• Feeling of a lump or object in your throat
• Numbness, pain or tenderness in your mouth and tongue
• Troubling moving your jaw or tongue with chewing, swallowing or speaking
• Loose teeth with no apparent dental cause
• Lingering sore throat

If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, contact our office today. In addition to that, we urge you to have regular oral cancer screenings in our office. We offer oral cancer examinations to all our patients. The earlier the cancer it detected, the quicker we can help you. Call our office today at 330-494-6653 to schedule your screening appointment.

Our first staff spotlight is Kathy! Kathy is our Insurance and Hospital Surgery Coordinator.

Where are you from?

Navarre

Likes and interests (how many kids, hobbies, etc.):

4 children, 6 grandkids. All boys!

How long have you worked with the practice?

7 years

Why you like working for Dr. Dietrich:

He has a great sense of humor. He is an excellent surgeon and genuinely cares about his employees.

What you love about northeast Ohio:

Changing seasons – there is always something to admire.

Pets:

Dog – Ranger. He is a 2-year-old Doberman and he likes to go camping with us!

Favorite TV shows, movies:

The Good Doctor and NCIS Series Wonder Woman.

Favorite books:

The Outlander Series

Orthognathic surgery, otherwise known as jaw surgery is performed by Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons to correct an array of jaw-related problems that affect everyday life. Surgery is an option when problems with the teeth and bite alignment cannot be corrected with traditional orthodontic treatments.

1. Pain Relief: One reason that many people decide to have jaw surgery is to relieve jaw pain. Often with misaligned jaws, one experiences strain on the muscles that surround the jaw area. This discomfort can often be decreased with surgery.
2. Chewing: Jaw surgery realigns the jaw, allowing for the teeth to have optimal bite function. This makes chewing easier and may allow you to enjoy foods that you were not able to eat previously. An improvement in chewing function will also show a noticeable improvement in digestion.
3. Tooth Wear: Once the jaw is correctly aligned, the teeth themselves will also benefit. Teeth that are correctly aligned will have overall better wear and tear because the pressure of the bite will be spread evenly around the jaw.
4. Speech: The correction of jaw alignment can have a positive effect on speech. The alignment of the jaw doesn’t only affect eating; it can also affect our speech. Correcting the jawline has been shown to improve speech capabilities.
5. Appearance: The correction of the jaw often will result in an improved facial appearance allowing many to find newfound confidence after their jaw surgery.

Corrective jaw surgery will position your jaws and teeth into a more functional and healthy bite. The overall improvement to your jaw will allow for an increased enjoyment in life.

If you are wondering if jaw surgery would be beneficial to you, give our office a call at 330-494-6653 to schedule a consultation.

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