Root canal treatment is an example of a significant dental procedure and yet it has a very high success rate. Depending on the procedure it can be as high as 90 percent. Although a skilled local dentist is a major factor, what you do after the procedure also makes a difference.
It’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts after you have a dental procedure. This will help you maximize the benefit and minimize the possibility of having to repeat the work later. In this article, you’ll read about some basic aftercare everyone should apply following a dental procedure.
Dental Don’ts
After your dental procedure, it is likely you will still have the effects of the anesthetic. That is good in some ways as it will continue to help alleviate any pain. It is bad in other ways as you are vulnerable to hurting yourself.
So make sure you don’t eat or drink anything hot as you may burn yourself. Try to avoid spicy food or anything that could irritate your mouth. If you’ve undergone a tooth whitening procedure, you’re wise to avoid any dark or staining foods for a few days.
Think about avoiding tough or chewy food. The last thing you want is to damage a new filling. It won’t surprise you that you should avoid alcohol but it may surprise you it’s good to avoid exercise.
You may not feel up to exercise but anything like running or any type of exercise that may cause you to strain could also be painful. Take the time to rest instead.
Dental Do’s
The first thing is to listen to your dentist and take their advice. If they prescribe painkillers or other medication such as antibiotics, make sure you are diligent in taking them. Given all of the don’ts above, you should be well prepared for the period after your dental procedure.
So make sure you have plenty of the right kinds of food and drink in the house. Plan to eat softer foods or even soups instead of your normal diet. It would be very good if you prepared some meals in advance so that you can still get what you need but without the risk of damaging your teeth.
When it comes to cleaning your teeth be more aware than normal. Try to do so very gently and not with your normal enthusiasm. Brushing your teeth harshly could damage the dental work.
Spot Complications
Be aware that the swelling in your mouth and gums should decrease gradually over the following few days. If the swelling is not going down, or it is getting worse then don’t ignore it. This could mean you have an infection, in which case you need to go back to your dentist as quickly as possible.
Face Dental Procedures With Confidence
In this article, you’ve read about essential aftercare when you’ve had a dental procedure. It’s scary to think how you could undermine your dental treatment by unwittingly doing some of the don’ts mentioned in this guide. Of course, there are many things you can do too that will help.
One of those is to be well prepared and reading this article will have definitely helped you to do that. You can read other great articles with tips and tricks for life on our site.
The hallam dentist is a health care professional who specializes in dental care, often to recommend teeth cleaning, tooth extraction, or the fitting of dentures.
