Most people agree that flawless smiles are more desirable, but if you’ve suffered severe tooth loss or have serious dental decay, you might worry whether there’s anything that can be done to improve the appearance and function of your grin.
Thankfully, many dentists can provide full mouth reconstruction to address your concerns, but you must care for yourself properly afterward to avoid complications, like infection, that can contribute to additional decay or disease. Continue reading to learn about 3 helpful tips to recover effectively and successfully after your treatment(s)!
Tip #1: Keep Your Mouth Clean
Whether you’ve had a dental crown placed over a damaged tooth to protect it or had the gaps in your grin closed with implants, it’s important to clean your mouth consistently to avoid potential problems. For instance, if bacteria in your mouth penetrate the surgical site after having teeth replaced, they can trigger an infection, such as peri-implantitis, that causes your restoration to fail.
Your dentist will provide specific post-operative instructions for you to follow after your appointment, intended to help prevent such concerns. For instance, they might recommend rinsing with water for the first 24 hours after a major procedure, and waiting for your connective tissues to mend before resuming your usual twice-daily dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing.
Tip #2: Adjust Your Diet as Needed
Depending on your dental condition and the different treatments you underwent, there might also be dietary restrictions to follow, at least until your mouth has healed sufficiently. For example, patients are often directed to stick to softer, blander foods, such as yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or blended smoothies, after oral surgery to allow their connective tissues time to recover before eating hotter, harder, crunchier, or spicier meals.
Some patients also undergo services that require long-term changes to their daily dietary decisions. For instance, avoiding alcoholic beverages that can erode dental cement and steering clear of sticky, crunchy snacks that can damage or dislodge a restoration can help preserve a recently placed dental crown.
Tip #3: Address Discomfort
You’ll be numbed during your procedures to help you feel calm and comfortable while your dentist works, meaning you likely won’t have to worry about potential discomfort until after the medications wear off. Then, it’s considered normal to feel somewhat sore or swollen after more complex or surgical oral procedures.
Fortunately, associated aches and inflammation can often be reduced with at-home remedies, such as applying a cold compress to the tender side of your face for 15 minutes for a temporary, numbing reprieve. It’s also often safe to take the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to ease your discomfort.
If you have additional questions about recovering from your full mouth reconstruction, your dentist can provide more detailed information based on your unique circumstances!
About the Practice
At Warwick Dentistry, patients benefit from a dedicated husband-and-wife dental duo passionate about helping them build happy, healthy smiles. Drs. Joyce and John Warwick share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including full mouth reconstruction, conveniently under one roof. Their caring approach is combined with state-of-the-art equipment to deliver beautiful, accurate outcomes meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (412) 391-1130.