How to Care for Your Mouth After Oral Surgery

Oral surgery serves a variety of dental benefits, including restoring damaged or missing teeth. To ensure your smile heals properly, it’s important to take extra care following your oral procedure. Use these oral surgery after-care tips to protect your dental health and ensure your smile heals to its fullest potential.

Take Prescribed Medication

To soothe any feelings of discomfort following your oral procedure, it’s essential to take your prescribed medication. If your dentist instructed you to take medication during your oral surgery recovery, he has identified a reason that medical intervention was necessary. Whether you need to protect yourself from infection or reduce painful symptoms, take your oral medication as instructed by your family dentist.

Begin Teeth Cleaning Gradually

Whether you've received dental implants or you had wisdom teeth extracted, your mouth will be sensitive for several days following your dental procedure. It’s important that you continue eating while recovering from your surgery and it’s equally as important that you protect your teeth from bacteria and food particles. Be sure to gently rinse (don’t swallow!) your mouth with warm salt water (a half teaspoon in a glass of water) to dislodge any sugar particles from the surface of your teeth. Continue gently rinsing your mouth out after every meal until your dentist approves your use of a toothbrush. Post extraction it is also very important to discontinue the use of straws until the socket has healed, usually about two weeks.

Adjust Your Diet

To accommodate your sensitive teeth, you’ll need to adjust your diet during the days or even weeks after your oral surgery. Depending on the involvement of your procedure, your dentist may recommend that you abide by a liquid diet for a few days. Keep your body filled with fluids to ensure you receive the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals. Despite your teeth’s sensitivity, it’s important to provide your body with energy to heal properly.

Attend Follow-Up Appointments

The best way to ensure you are healing properly from your oral surgery is to attend your scheduled follow-up appointment. Your dentist will schedule an appointment with you several days after your procedure date to examine your initial healing status. Maintain any other follow-up appointments and ask your dentist about any sensitive areas or strange growths.

Do you have questions about your upcoming oral surgery? Call the expert dentists at Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. at (800 223-0801 for information about oral surgery procedures or general dental care.

Check Out These Expert Oral Care Tips!

If you’ve recently acquired dentures or you have an oral surgery scheduled, read the following resources for expert oral care tips. Call Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. at 800-223-0801 to schedule an appointment with a family dentist in the Cedarhurst/5 Towns area.

·        Explore these denture care tips at DentureLiving.com and learn how to care for your dentures the right way.

·        If you’ve recently schedule a wisdom teeth extraction, plan for your oral surgery after-care with these tips.

·        The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons explain how to adjust your nutrition intake following oral surgery.

·        Maintain the shine and health of your dentures by incorporating these cleaning tips into your dental care routine.

·        This Mayo Clinic article explains what to do before and after your oral surgery procedure.

What to Expect from a Root Canal Procedure

Cavities form when the bacteria in our mouths turn sugars and starches into acids that can wear through tooth enamel. When the decay associated with a cavity extends through the tooth enamel and into the dental pulp, a root canal is generally required to stop the spread of decay and improve comfort. The stages involved in a root canal dental procedure include:

Application of Anesthetic

Because root canal treatment involves the removal of nerves, it can be highly painful without the help of a local anesthetic. Before starting the root canal treatment, your dentist will numb your tooth and the area surrounding it with an anesthetic that you have decided on together.

Access Creation

Next, your dentist will use special tools to open your tooth to make way for the removal of affected tissues and any other necessary procedures.

Removal of Nerves and Blood Vessels

Once access has been created, the dentist will remove nerves and blood vessels that are affected by the decay. This will stop the nerves in the dental pulp from sending pain signals throughout the body and protect blood vessels from contamination.

Fill Tooth

After removing the decay and affected dental matter, your dentist will fill the space that has been created with a combination of materials designed to last long and prevent the tooth from further damage.

Crown Affixation

After a final comfort check, in which the dentist will check your bite, a seal or crown will be affixed to your tooth. Generally, this will be done at a follow-up appointment several weeks after the initial procedure.

Are you a resident of the 5 Towns area who has experienced discomfort in your teeth or gums? Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. has the technology and the expertise necessary to provide you with safe, efficient, and painless root canal treatment. To arrange to have a general, cosmetic, or advanced dentistry procedure performed in our office, call (800) 223-0801 today!

How Your Dental Care Needs Change Through the Aging Process

As you age, it is natural for your health needs to change; this is true for both your overall health and your dental health. When you are a senior, it is important for you to focus on some specific aspects of your oral health. Here is a quick look at how your dental care needs change during the aging process:

Dry Mouth Becomes More Prevalent
Dry mouth, which occurs when there is not a sufficient amount of saliva in your mouth, is a common side effect of the aging process. You may be at a greater risk for gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay if you have chronic dry mouth. If you begin to notice that your mouth is uncomfortably dry, your dentist may be able to recommend treatments and lifestyle changes to alleviate your dry mouth.

Your Risk of Developing Cavities Increases
If you want to avoid tooth decay and painful cavities, continue to brush and floss your teeth properly. Regular visits to your family dentist are also essential for decreasing your risk of developing cavities. Your dentist can identify tooth decay at early and more treatable stages.

Your Teeth Become More Prone to Staining
Teeth become more prone to staining and yellowing with age. To combat this, visit your dentist regularly for routine cleanings and whitening treatments. Be sure to follow a proper dental hygiene routine every day to reduce the staining and maintain a bright smile.

You Become More Susceptible to Gum Disease
While periodontal disease is common among people of all ages, it is a more pressing concern for senior citizens. Your gums may be at greater risk if you have other health conditions, such as diabetes. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss, so it is important to brush and floss thoroughly every day and see your dentist at least twice each year.

Would you like to learn more about taking care of your dental health as you age? If so, visit Dr. Alina Bergan D.D.S. for regular dental checkups. To make an appointment at our Cedarhurst, call us at (800) 223-0801 today!