Recovery Tips for a Tooth Extraction

There are a number of reasons that you may find yourself facing a tooth extraction. Perhaps you’re having your wisdom teeth extracted by your Parker CO dentist? Maybe you need a tooth extraction for orthodontic treatment? Is your tooth damaged beyond repair? No matter what the reasons may be the recovery time is typically the same. Dr. Chris Green, a dentist in Parker, CO put together 8 of his favorite recovery tips for a tooth extraction.

1. Plan Well in Advance

During your consultation with the best dentist in Parker, you’ll learn what to expect during the procedure and after the procedure. This can help you to plan for what you’ll need to have on hand at home. It is likely that you will need someone to drive you home after your procedure. So, ask a family member or friend.

It would be a good idea to schedule a day or two off from work after surgery, so that you have ample time to rest and recover.

2. Be Mindful of Your Diet

You may not feel hungry at all after your procedure. But if you do, try to stick to soups and broths for at least a full day after surgery. Definitely avoid spicy foods, crunchy or hard foods. Stay hydrated with plenty of water, but do be sure to avoid using straws.

3. Listen to Your Body and Rest

It’s tempting to return to your normal routine immediately, but it can prove to be better overall for your health to take it slowly. Keep your head elevated by several pillows and relax. Keep out of the gym for at least a full day. Just simply listen to your body and get plenty of good rest.

4. Try Salt Water Rinses

It may not sound appetizing at all, but it’s important to rinse your mouth out with a lukewarm rinse of salt and water. Use it several times a day, particularly after you eat. It will help to reduce a significant amount of the swelling and discomfort you are feeling.

5. Control the Bleeding

Some minor bleeding is expected after a tooth extraction. However, any excessive bleeding should be reported to your dentist right away, particularly if it is accompanied by severe pain. Your dentist will have you bite down on sterile gauze in order to stem the bleeding after the extraction. You can, however, switch to using soaked tea bags once you get home. Tea leaves are well known for helping to reduce discomfort and also encourage clotting.

6. Control the Swelling

Our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, says that swelling is a normal and expected side-effect of having a tooth extracted. Dr. Kacos recommends lots of ice packs, applied to your cheek, for 20-minute intervals, which can help to reduce the swelling and bruising. It can also help with the discomfort that you’re feeling. If your tooth was badly infected, you may find more comfort from warm compresses.

7. Pay Attention to Instructions You Are Given

You will be given detailed instructions before you leave your Parker Co’s dental office. Be sure that you pay attention to each of the instructions so that you can be assured of the best in results while you are healing. Be sure to always reach out to Dr. Chris Green if you have additional questions or concerns.

8. Think Ahead

If you find yourself feeling discouraged about the extractions, consider the way your smile will be transformed once your dental work has been completed. Those who are looking forward to Parker CO dental implants will soon have a brand new winning smile they can be proud of. The minor discomfort and frustration that you feel now will soon be a blip in the rearview mirror.

Are you ready to schedule that extraction with the dental professionals at Green Dental Care? Contact us to make your appointment, and let us restore your smile.

Temporary Crown Falls Out

Your local dentist in Parker, CO, will place a temporary crown over your teeth if you’ve undergone restorative treatment. The temporary crown is designed to protect your tooth after treatment like root canals. Your temporary crown can also preserve aesthetics until you are fitted with your permanent restoration.

Parker CO dentists emphasize that temporary crowns are not as durable as the permanent dental crowns that will replace it. If your temporary crown becomes damaged, cracked, or falls out entirely before your permanent dental crown is placed, you’ll need to fix this problem ASAP. It can be worrisome when this happens, but there’s no need to panic just yet. Keep reading to find out what steps you should take if your temporary crown does happen to fall out.

Understanding the Temporary Crown

The temporary crown is a tooth restoration solution that is custom-made to cover and protect a tooth that has been reshaped for placement of the permanent crown. It helps to protect the vulnerable tooth from damage. It could also protect you from feeling any sensitivity that may otherwise send you cringing when you eat or drink something cold.

The temporary crown can be made from a number of materials, including a type of acrylic-based material that is molded to the shape of your tooth and bite. The interim crown is set in place using a temporary adhesive that’ll make it easy to remove the temporary at your return visit to your dentist in Parker CO. If all goes smoothly, the temporary crown should stay in place until your next visit.

If Your Temporary Crown Falls Out

There is a possibility that your crown can falls out or breaks before your next scheduled appointment. This is often seen with molars and premolars as they incur much more force when you are chewing. Even if you do keep your meals to soft-to-chew food, it’s still possible for the crown to break free.

If you have some time to wait before your next appointment, take these steps to avoid pain and also keep your mouth and teeth safe:

Remove the crown or any broken pieces from your mouth
Rinse out your mouth with warm water so that you can remove any sharp pieces remaining in your mouth
Examine the now-exposed tooth and see if there are any jagged edges that you may inadvertently cut your tongue or inside of your cheek
Call the best dentist in Parker and explain the situation to us in full detail. We may offer some instructions to get you through to the next available appointment.
Return to the office when possible, to have another replacement crown placed, or have the temporary crown bonded back if it is not damaged.

We asked our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, about his suggestions when your temporary crown falls out. Dr. Kacos says, “Be very careful with the new temporary crown until your permanent crown is ready to be placed. Avoid directly chewing on the interim restoration, and do not floss between the crown and your other teeth. This could accidentally tug on the temporary crown and lead to it coming out all over again.”

It’s not a huge deal if the temporary does break loose before your permanent crown is ready. It can just expose you to the potential for some sensitivity and discomfort until the restored tooth has been covered once again. Follow these helpful tips and get in touch with our dental office in Parker, CO. We are here to keep you smiling. Whether you’re looking for dental implants in Parker, CO, or looking for other smile restoration solutions, we have options to help you meet your dental goals.

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