A survey of 2,000 people found that 61% of people wish they could change something about their teeth. Many people feel insecure about their smiles, whether this is due to crookedness, gaps in their teeth, lack of whiteness, or any other issue. One option that you may want to consider to improve your smile is full mouth reconstruction. This combines cosmetic dentistry with restorative dentistry to improve both the aesthetics and function of the mouth. Do you want to learn more about full mouth reconstruction recovery and what you can expect after your procedure?
Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about options for reconstructions and how you can improve the recovery process.
Common Full Mouth Reconstruction Services
The recovery process for full mouth reconstruction will differ depending on the dental restorative treatments that you receive. There are many different types of full mouth reconstruction.
For example, you may need to receive dental implants. Dental implants are metal posts that stand in place for the root of a missing tooth. They offer support for things like crowns, bridges, and even dentures.
Another common reconstructive service is tooth extraction. If your teeth are severely decayed or worn out, they may need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant.
Other services include dental fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals, and more. You can talk with your dentist about your unique situation to decide which of these services you would need to undergo for your full mouth reconstruction.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
How long does it take to recover from full mouth reconstruction? This process will vary from patient to patient, depending on the complexity of their reconstruction and the services that they needed.
When you visit your dentist for a consultation for your full mouth reconstruction, they can help you map out a plan for all the treatments you need. This way, they can give you a better idea of how long it will take for you to recover.
Tips to Speed Up Recovery
After your full mouth reconstruction procedure, your dentist will provide you with instructions to follow for your recovery. This will help you heal faster and avoid painful symptoms after your procedures.
However, there are things that you can do on your own to ensure that you recover properly and speed up your recovery. Here are the top tips you should follow to improve your reconstruction recovery.
Rest
Resting is one of the most important things you can do when you are recovering from full mouth reconstruction. These types of reconstruction procedures are major treatments and your body needs time to heal.
You must avoid any strenuous activities for several days after your procedures.
Use Ice
Next, you should use ice packs or a cold compress on your cheeks as you recover from your reconstructions.
Ice will help you avoid soreness and swelling after your reconstruction procedure and can also help you with pain reduction.
Make sure you only apply the ice in 10-minute increments. This will help you avoid too much exposure that can lead to ice burn.
Take Pain Medication
There are many different types of pain medication that you can take to help with your full mouth reconstruction recovery.
Your dentist may have prescribed you pain medication for more serious treatments, like a root canal or a tooth extraction. Make sure you only take these types of medication as directed to get the best results and to avoid any complications.
You can also take over-the-counter medication to help with pain, swelling, and inflammation. These include medications like iBuprofen or other anti-inflammatories.
Rinse Your Mouth
Rinsing your mouth is another way that you can speed up your healing after oral surgery. This will allow you to keep the site clean as your mouth heals and can help you avoid infection.
You can simply rinse your mouth with warm salt water three times a day. This will also help you reduce your swelling and pain after your reconstruction.
Eat the Right Foods
Eating the right foods is a necessary part of your recovery after a full mouth reconstruction. Because your mouth has gone through so many procedures, it will be difficult for you to eat foods as you normally do.
This is because your mouth will be sensitive and it will be more difficult to chew up your food. Because of this, you should avoid any foods that require chewing for several days after your procedure.
You should also avoid sharp food that could damage your healing tissues, like chips.
Instead, you should only eat soft foods that are packed with nutrients. These include foods like smoothies, soups, yogurt, and even mashed potatoes. Eating the right foods will ensure that you do not damage any of the reconstructions that were done to your mouth and will enable your mouth to heal as quickly as possible.
Protect Your Healing Tissues
After any major dental procedure, you also need to protect your healing tissues. Tissues, like your gums, will start forming blood clots to aid in the healing.
Because of this, you must avoid using a straw when you drink. This is because straws require a lot of suction to move liquid up and down the straw and into your mouth.
This pressure can rupture your blood clot and can delay your healing process. Similarly, you need to avoid smoking cigarettes and even sucking on hard candies for several days after your procedure. This will allow your blood clot to fully heal and will help you prevent getting a dry socket.
Lastly, you need to avoid touching any areas in your mouth that have undergone reconstruction. If you poke or prod at these areas, it will make it more difficult for them to heal and can even lead to infections.
Learn More About Full Mouth Reconstruction Recovery Today
When you are getting reconstruction for teeth, learning more about the recovery process can help you speed up your healing and improve your results. Following these tips and talking to your dentist will ensure that you recover properly after your full mouth reconstruction procedure.
If you need help with full mouth reconstruction recovery, Brentwood Dental Spa can help! We provide full mouth reconstruction to help you restore your mouth’s function and aesthetics.
Contact us today to learn more about the recovery process for full mouth reconstruction or to schedule an appointment.