Tips For Healing From Dental Procedures

Are you having a dental procedure done soon? Whether you’re coming in for an extraction, root canal, or another procedure, you’ll want to give yourself some down time, so you can heal properly. Although every procedure is slightly different, there are a few rules of thumb that apply to most of them. A Miami Beach, FL dentist outlines some of them below.

Rest

First and foremost, adjust your schedule so that you can rest and relax for a few days. Load your Netflix queue with some bingeable series, and make sure you’ve got lots of comfy pillows to relax on. Do not run, swim, or go to the gym until you get the all-clear.

Ice

For most procedures, you’ll be instructed to use ice packs for the first few days. This will help with swelling. Apply them for 15 minutes at a time. You may want to get several soft freezer packs, so you can rotate them out.

Food/Beverages

Depending on the procedure, you may be put on a liquid diet for a few days or even longer. Stock up on things like water, protein shakes, smoothies, soups, herbal tea, and milkshakes. Vitamins A and C are very helpful for healing, so you may also want to add vitamins. You will likely also be advised to eat soft foods for a while. Some good options are eggs, applesauce, ice cream, pudding, cottage cheese, pasta, hummus, mashed potatoes, bananas, and baked fish. Try to choose healthy options: you’ll likely do better on juices and smoothies than on soda and ice cream.

Drink Lots Of Fluid

Staying hydrated is very important! You may find that mint-flavored water is very soothing and relaxing on sensitive tissues.

Don’t Smoke

Quitting smoking is always a good idea. However, if you haven’t quit, get some nicotine patches to help you stave off any cravings as you’re healing. The sucking motion and the smoke are both bad!

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking is another thing best put on hold. Not only will it interfere with some medications, it’s also one more thing for your body to contend with while as it’s healing.

Read Instructions

As noted above, every procedure is different. Before your surgery, read through your aftercare instructions carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Are you looking for a brighter smile? Contact us, your local Miami Beach, FL dental clinic, today!