Depending on how well you take care of your oral health; depends on how often you need to visit our hygiene clinic. 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, bridge, or crown placed, there are recommendations you should follow. Did you know that your mouth tells a story. Here is what to expect from your dental hygienist

Diet

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 foods that can damage your teeth 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 also 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.

Pain Relief

After a major procedure, most pain can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliver. If more pain control is necessary, please contact the dental clinic who performed the procedure. 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. Acute or persistent tooth pain always signals a need for an urgent dental visit. The most common cause of tooth pain is decay. Decay is a bacterial infection that can spread through many parts of the tooth, and even into the gum tissue. Sometimes, tooth pain indicates that you may need root canal treatment — a procedure that not only relieves the pain but can also keep the tooth from needing to be extracted. Other times, pain may be caused by a loose filling  or a by a crack in a tooth. The only way to know for sure what is causing your tooth pain is to make an appointment at our clinic.

Avoid using straws, spitting, vigorous swishing of fluids, and smoking as all these activities can interfere with the healing process.

Proper Care

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 clinic to set up an appointment.

Your gums may be tender around the tooth that has been worked on. Keeping your gums clean with gentle brushing, flossing, and rinsing with warm saltwater (1/2 tsp of regular table salt in 8oz of warm water) will help your gums recover more quickly.