Cosmetic Dental Procedure Recovery and Aftercare

If you are undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure to improve the appearance of your teeth or gums, there are several critical aftercare guidelines you should follow to promote healthy healing.

Whether you are having veneers, implants, or bridges placed, having your teeth professionally whitened, undergoing gum flap surgery, or receiving traditional or clear braces, the most important aspect of your recovery is close follow-up. Because carefully monitoring your recovery can help to detect problems early, it is vital that you keep any scheduled follow-up appointments with your cosmetic dentist or surgeon. You should immediately contact your dental professional if you experience excessive pain, bleeding, fever, or any adverse reaction to prescribed medication following a cosmetic dental procedure.

If your procedure was considered surgical, there are additional aftercare instructions to ensure a successful recovery:

• Keep teeth and treated areas clean using a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, taking care not to disturb the surgical areas.
• Take any prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications recommended on a regular basis to keep significant discomfort from taking hold.
• Maintain a diet of soft foods such as pasta, eggs, or cooked cereals while the surgical area is healing. Stay hydrated with room temperature beverages, and avoid the use of straws, which can cause blood clots in the surgical area to dislodge.
• To treat pain and inflammation, place an ice pack on the affected area in ten-minute intervals.
• Avoid smoking, as it impairs healing.

Consult with your Sarasota cosmetic dentist or surgeon for any additional aftercare and recovery instructions that may be specific to your treatments.