Even if you take good care of your teeth, sometimes a surgical procedure is necessary. After getting a root canal, tooth extraction, or dental implant, you need to take special care, so the healing process is as smooth as possible. Here are post-op care tips for oral surgeries:
Root Canals
If the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed, a root canal is usually the best course of action. Draining the infection and cleaning the canal allows us to save the tooth. After the procedure, the tooth will probably feel sensitive for the next few days. To treat your discomfort, a painkiller like Advil, Motrin, or Aleve is fine. If the pain is severe, please give us a call.
It’s best to reduce the amount of chewing on the affected tooth/teeth area until it’s been completely repaired. A diet of soft foods like yogurt, eggs, and mashed potatoes is recommended. You should also drink lots of cold liquids and avoid hot liquids for the first 24 hours.
Tooth Extractions
There are a few scenarios when tooth extractions are necessary, such as severe decay and impacted teeth. Once the teeth have been extracted, you can expect a healing period of 7-10 days. The exact length of time depends on how many teeth you had removed and how involved the surgery was.
Your post-op diet should consist of soft, easy-to-eat foods and cold liquids. Avoid straws, since the sucking action can lead to dry socket. Very hot liquids like soup and coffee should also not be consumed for at least 24 hours following your surgery. After the procedure, we at Choice Austin Dental will give you detailed aftercare instructions, so be sure to read them carefully.
Dental Implants
The first part of getting dental implants involves a surgery where we put posts into your jawbone. Depending on your needs, this surgery can include bone grafting, which requires a longer recovery time. In general, the healing process can be as short as 2 weeks or as long as 6 months. You might feel minor discomfort, swelling, and bruising for a few days, but a painkiller like Ibuprofen and an ice pack should be enough. If you experience real pain, that means something is wrong, so please get in touch with us.
Following surgery, drink only cold liquids and don’t eat anything until the numbing has worn off. Once the anesthetic is out of your system, you should maintain a soft-foods diet until the area feels less sensitive. Be sure to keep up with a thorough oral hygiene routine, so the area where your implants are stays clean.
Oral Surgery with Choice Austin Dental
Whether you’re getting a root canal, tooth extraction, or dental implant, you’ll always receive detailed post-op care instructions here at Choice Austin Dental. Our team understands that oral surgery can be frightening, so we make sure you are as comfortable and well-informed as possible!
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