During a dental treatment, your teeth are usually pretty comfy. Modern anesthetics and sedation options like laughing gas are definitely effective at numbing uncomfortable sensations. It’s once the in-office pain relief starts to wear off that your mouth starts to ache! Knowing this, you might be wondering how you can preemptively save yourself some trouble after your dental crown treatment.
You’re already thinking like a pro patient! Here’s what you should do to promote a smooth recovery.
Managing Dental Discomfort
When you get home from your temporary crown placement, you’ll likely just want to sprawl on the couch and take a nap. The only thing that might stop you is some soreness. To address this, the usual remedies are suitable: over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medication from your dentist, and a good ‘ol cold compress.
Chewing Your Food
You may or may not live to eat, but you have to eat to live! At some point, you’ll have to face post-treatment tooth sensitivity and restore your energy with some sustenance. Chew slowly and carefully, avoiding your restoration area – especially if you have a temporary crown in place. They’re more fragile than your permanent crown will be and could become damaged or dislodged, so save your favorite sticky, hard snacks for later.
Preserving Your Crown Against Decay
What you should always be keeping up with is your oral hygiene. Even permanent dental crowns are susceptible to decay, and bacteria buildup from poor brushing habits can lead to gum disease and cavities. You can be gentler around your tender restoration, but otherwise, follow these best practices:
- Brush twice a day, for two minutes each session. Don’t forget your tongue!
- Floss once a day. Either traditional thread or a water flosser will do. Just take extra care if you’re squirting water jets towards your restoration area.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for extra-strength bacteria-busting care.
All things considered, protecting your teeth from decay and disease is rather simple. However, if something doesn’t look quite right, or you notice an abnormality within your dental line up, contact your dentist right away.
That goes for your new crown, too. Some discomfort is normal, but persistent pain and continual swelling aren’t. Your dentist will be able to determine whether you have a problem on your hands. While you’re recovering like a pro, they’ll ensure your oral health is in tip-top shape like a pro!
About the Practice
At North Garland Family Dental, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive list of dental services for patients of all ages. Drs. Yaritza Vazquez and Scott Peterson are known for their excellent chairside care, and will place a quality dental crown that you’ll be able to count on. They’ll also make sure you’re well-informed, so that you won’t have to guess what you should do during and after your recovery. If you have questions about your crown or other concerns, contact their office at 972-530-7979.
