Aftercare Tips for Dental Restorations

Restorative dentistry procedures offer a wide range of solutions for damaged or decayed teeth. However, it is important to follow certain aftercare tips for the results to last long. Different dental restoration treatments may require different aftercare tips.

In this article, we will discuss how you can take care of your oral health after receiving tooth restoration treatments:

Dental Fillings

After having your cavity filled, it is important to avoid eating or drinking too hot or cold foods and beverages, respectively. The extreme temperatures may damage the dental filling material.

Dental Crowns & Bridges

Until all numbness has gone away following the tooth treatment, avoid chewing and eating. Furthermore, avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the temporary crown or bridge has been placed. Brush and floss normally, and if your teeth are sensitive, use desensitizing toothpaste. To relieve discomfort and swelling, rinse your mouth twice a day with a mixture of warm saltwater. Your dentist may also prescribe a mouth rinse to help with any discomfort.

Root Canal Therapy

Wait for the numbness to go away before you start chewing or eating. Take the prescribed pain reliever as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. Your dentist will also prescribe antibiotics. You should brush and floss as usual.

To relieve discomfort and swelling, rinse your mouth three times per day with warm saltwater. For three to five days, try not to overuse your mouth. Avoid eating anything crunchy. To avoid fracturing the tooth, visit your dentist for crown placement within two weeks of the root canal treatment.

Dental Implants

To control bleeding, apply light pressure with gauze pads for the first hour after surgery and avoid overusing your mouth. Eat nothing until the numbness has gone away. Additionally, for the first 24 hours after surgery, apply ice packs for 20 minutes on and off.

To reduce swelling and discomfort even further, rinse with warm saltwater. For the first 24 hours after surgery, eat only soft, nutritious foods, but on the opposite side of your mouth, along with drinking plenty of fluids. You can resume your regular diet after the first 24 hours, but continue to chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Use the prescribed mouth rinse twice a day for a week, and for two weeks, do not floss the teeth adjacent to the dental implant. Furthermore, take any medications prescribed by the dentist even if you do not experience any signs of swelling or infection.

Tooth Extraction

Following some general rules will help the extraction site heal nicely. You can reduce bleeding by keeping your mouth tightly shut and applying pressure to the piece of gauze. For the first 24 hours after surgery, do not smoke, and use a straw for drinking fluids. Apply ice packs periodically to the outer cheeks to reduce swelling, but do not leave them on for over ten minutes at a time.

General Oral Care

If you have recently received a dental restoration treatment, after some immediate aftercare, you should resume the usual oral hygiene and health routine. Brush properly twice a day and floss once a day.