Aftercare Is Just As Important As Treatment
Are you scheduled to receive dental treatment in our office in the near future? We see a number of patients in the office daily for various treatments that are used to improve the function and appearance of their teeth and smile. Following the completion of treatment, we review with every patient any instructions and restrictions necessary in the coming days. We want to stress the importance of following our directions, no matter how your mouth and gums may be feeling. Read on to learn about the serious danger you can cause to your oral health when care instructions are not properly followed.
Importance of Following Instructions
Each treatment we provide in our office comes with a specific set of instructions for afterwards. It can be something as simple as not eating or drinking for a time after you leave our office. Ignoring care instructions can lead to damage, discomfort, and the need to redo the procedure, plus additional costs. We want to share two important care tips that are common after many procedures:
Numbing Care
Many preventative dentistry treatments use a numbing agent. Following treatment, it is very important not to eat or drink until you regain all feeling in your mouth. Eating while numb can cause damage to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. You may bite an area of your mouth and not realize that you have broken through the skin.
Chew on the Opposite Side
When dental work is completed one one side of the mouth we always recommend chewing on the opposite side for at least 24 hours. This gives the treatment site time to heal and any fillings or cement used time to set properly. Premature chewing can cause damage to the materials used. More involved treatments may require additional healing time.
If you have an upcoming treatment or you just completed a treatment and have any questions related to care, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office located in Fort Lee, NJ. Our team is here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. If you experience a dental emergency following treatment, be sure to call our office as soon as possible.
