February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
Ways of Reducing Swelling After a Dental Procedure
There are quite a few dental procedures that require your mouth to be numbed, and leaves you with a bit of swelling after the procedure is over. If you just had one, or are scheduled to come in and see us for one in the near future, then you want to make sure you are taking care of your mouth following the procedure. Taking a few extra steps can make a big difference on how much your mouth swells, and how long your mouth stays sore.
Reducing Swelling Following Any Procedure
The first thing you want to do is to make sure that you are taking any and all medications that your Cooper Family dentist gave you or instructed you to take. This will help keep the pain down and that alone can decrease the severity of any swelling. Next, you want to make sure that you are using ice on your cheek or jaw surrounding the area that the procedure took place. You should have ice on it for about 15 minutes, then off of the area for about the same amount of time. Keep doing this for a few hours following the procedure.
You should also make sure that any time you lay down for the first 12-24 hours, you rest or sleep on an incline. This helps to reduce the blood rushing to the procedure spot, and keeps the swelling to a minimum. If you had an extraction, such as your wisdom teeth being pulled, then you should rinse with a warm salt water solution. You want the water warmer than room temperature, but by no means should it be hot. Plus, you want about one-half teaspoon of salt mixed into about 6-8 ounces of water. Rinse your mouth with this every few hours for the first 2-3 days to help the healing in your mouth, keep the swelling down, and keep the wound free from excess bacteria.
If you are having any trouble following a dental procedure we did, by all means, give us a call. We are always here to help or answer any questions that you may have. At Cooper Family Dentistry, we will always go out of our way to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible, both during and after any dental procedure you need done. Call on us for help, any time, day or night.
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.