Post-Surgical Dental Care in Pasadena
Follow simple aftercare steps to support healing, reduce discomfort, and protect your smile after your dental procedure.
Post-Treatment Care and Recovery
How often you need to visit our dental practice depends on how well you take care of your oral health. Our goal is to catch any oral health issues early, to ensure that we can find a solution sooner rather than later. However, for those patients who have experienced a root canal, surgical extraction, or have recently had a filling, implant, crown, or bridge placed, there are recommendations you should follow.
Following proper aftercare instructions plays an important role in your recovery and overall results. Taking a few extra precautions in the days after your procedure can help reduce discomfort, support healing, and protect your dental work. By being mindful of your diet, oral hygiene, and daily habits, you can ensure a smoother recovery and maintain long-term oral health.
Post-Treatment Diet Guidelines
If you are enjoying a sugary or starchy snack during the day, it is more than likely that your teeth and gums are being exposed to decay-causing elements. If you do consume these things, we recommend brushing and flossing your teeth after they are consumed or try and stay away from them altogether. In most cases, a soft diet is recommended for the first 48-hours after your procedure and to chew on the other side of your mouth and avoid hard and sticky foods. Also avoid foods that break into small pieces when you chew them, such as raw vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and popcorn.
It is important to note that there may be sensitivity to hot and/or cold, pressure, and swelling after a dental procedure. In most cases, any discomfort will subside dramatically within the first 24-48-hours.
Managing Pain and Discomfort
After a major procedure, most discomfort can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever. Pain medications work best when taken before the pain reaches its worst. Pain medications should be taken on a schedule and never more than the recommended dose. An acute or persistent toothache is common with most orthodontic treatment, however, another cause of toothache is decay. Decay is a bacterial infection that can spread through many parts of the tooth, and even into the gum tissue. Sometimes, a toothache indicates that you may need root canal treatment — a procedure that not only relieves the discomfort but can also keep your tooth from needing to be extracted. Other times, the discomfort may be caused by a loose filling or by a crack. The only way to know for sure what is causing your toothache is to make an appointment with us.
Avoid using straws, spitting, vigorous swishing of fluids, and smoking, as all these activities can interfere with the healing process.
Oral Care During Recovery
When brushing, we recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush as it is gentler on your teeth and gums. As for toothpaste, this depends on your oral health as there are different toothpaste recommendations depending on your individual needs. If you are curious about which toothbrush or toothpaste is best for you, please call our practice to setup an appointment.
Your gums may be tender around the tooth that has been worked on. Keeping your gums clean with gentle flossing, brushing, and rinsing with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp of regular table salt in 8oz of warm water) will help your gums recover more quickly.
