After any surgery that is done on the teeth, there are some precautions that have to be taken in order to make sure that the affected area heals without any complications. There is no doubt that teeth extraction, root canal or any other dental procedure may leave you with a lot of discomfort, but the good news is that if you follow the appropriate postoperative care, you will be just fine.
In this article, you will find out the guidelines that will assist you in the healing process with minimal discomfort.
1. Follow Your Dentist’s Instructions
Your dentist will give you particular guidelines depending on the type of treatment that was done to you. These guidelines are important and should be followed to the letter so as to avoid some of the subsequent problems. If there is anything that you are not sure of or if you have any other concerns, do not hesitate to contact your Best Dentist in Lahore.
2. Manage Pain and Discomfort
Pain after the surgery is something that is expected to happen to most people. In order to control pain adequately, take any pain-relief medicine your dentist has recommended and do not use other medications without his or her permission. Thus, you can apply an ice pack to the facial area near the surgery and it will help to decrease the swelling and even anesthetize the area. It is advised that one should not use ice on the skin for more than 15-20 minutes in order to avoid any harm to the skin.
3. Control Swelling
Inflammation is a typical side effect of the procedure that is performed on the teeth. In order to reduce the chances of swelling, apply ice packs on the area within the first 24-48 hours after the procedure. Also, avoid sleeping on your side, as this can also minimize swellings, and it is also advisable to keep the head raised while in bed. The following measures will help the body to heal its natural capacity and restore your comfort.
4. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
This is because oral hygiene should be well taken to avoid infections. Go on brushing your teeth but do it very lightly on the area that was operated on. That is why it is recommended to refrain from direct application of the brush to the sore area for the first few days. You should also use an antimicrobial mouthwash which your dentist has prescribed in order to keep the area as clean as possible to minimize the risk of getting an infection.
5. Eat and Drink Wisely
It would be of great importance to observe the kind of food you take as you recover. Choose to consume semifluid foods that can be taken without much chewing and swallowing, including yogurt, applesauce and mashed potatoes. Do not take any hard, crunchy, sticky or any kind of food that may cause discomfort at the area where surgery was done. Drinking fluids helps the body to recover but do not use a straw as it can dislodge the clots and prevent healing.
6. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Alcohol and smoking have been found to slow down the healing process; thus, they are unfavorable to the wound healing process. Factors such as smoking can cause delay in the healing process, make the wound prone to infections and may even result in complications like dry socket. If you are a smoker, then it is advised that you should either quit smoking or at least cut down on the number of cigars that you smoke in a day, especially during the period of your recovery. Likewise, alcohol should not be taken when on medication as it affects the body and slows down the rate of recovery, so it is advised to take only soft drinks.
7. Rest and Recover
Appropriate sleep is very vital in order to foster a proper healing process. Make sure that you have enough sleep and do not engage in any form of physical activities or even exercises for the next few days after the surgery. As recommended by your dentist, avoiding certain activities will ensure that you do not develop complications and promote proper healing.
8. Watch for Complications
Therefore, one should be keen to observe for signs of the possible complications. Some level of discomfort is normal but if the pain becomes severe or worsens, then it is advised to consult the dentist. If the bleeding is still continuing, or there is an increase in swelling, fever or if there is discharge with a bad smell, then it may be an infection or there may be some other problems that need attention.
9. Schedule Follow-Up Appointments
Your dentist may need to see you for a follow up appointment to ensure that you heal properly. It is important to come for all your follow up appointments so that the wound can be checked on and any issues that you may be having can be explained. Such visits are meant to address any concerns that you may have and get directions on how to proceed with the further treatment.
Conclusion
This is because there are certain things that one has to do in order to ensure that he or she heals well after getting dental surgery done. In order to promote the healing of the sockets, one should adhere to the dentist’s advice on taking care of the area, control pain and swelling, maintain oral hygiene and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. If you have any other issues or problems, which are not typical for the procedure, contact your dentist in rawalpindi.
