Health Column by Director Kim Yu-na Published in the Korea Economic Culture Research Institute (KECI) - How Do You Do Self-Care After Dental Treatment?

Column/Opinion

[Director Kim Yu-na’s Health Column] How can you make self-care after dental treatment more effective?

Korea Economic Culture Research Institute ・ 10 hours ago

1. Basic Principles of Recovery

• Follow your dentist’s instructions

• Because the detailed guidelines differ depending on the procedure, it is important to 반드시 follow the prescribed medication and any follow-up visit plan.

• Get enough rest

• Especially on the first day after tooth extraction or implant surgery, avoid strenuous activity and lying down with your head slightly elevated can help reduce swelling.

• Use cold compresses

• For the first 24–48 hours, applying a cold compress with an ice pack at 15–20 minute intervals is effective for relieving swelling. Using cold compresses after 48 hours may actually interfere with recovery,

2. Managing Bleeding and Clots

• Apply pressure with gauze

• Immediately after the procedure, fold the gauze well, bite down on it, and apply pressure to control bleeding.

• Do not spit, use straws, or create suction

• Using a straw, spitting forcefully, or suctioning creates negative pressure in the mouth and interferes with the natural stopping of bleeding.

• No smoking or alcohol

• In particular, not smoking for the first few days is very important. Smoking impairs blood supply and increases the risk of infection.

3. Diet & Nutrition

• Eat soft foods

• For the first few days, soft and non-irritating foods such as soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies are good.

• Avoid hot or spicy foods

• Before/after anesthesia wears off, hot foods may cause burns and irritation.

• Stay hydrated

• Adequate fluid intake is important to prevent dehydration. However, avoid using straws.

• Consider vitamin supplements

• Vitamins A and C help tissue regeneration. Some dental clinics also recommend vitamin C supplements during recovery.

4. Oral Hygiene Care

• Use a soft toothbrush

• Carefully brush around the surgical area with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

• Be careful with sensitive areas

• For the first few days, avoid excessive brushing or using cleansing products on the surgical site, and for oral care, a gentle, non-irritating product without alcohol is preferable.

• Observation and care

• After a tooth extraction, it is also a good idea to gently clean food debris left in the socket using a syringe.

[Advice from Director Kim Yu-na on warning signs of complications and when to contact the dentist]

During recovery, if you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your dentist immediately:

• When bleeding continues or seems excessive

• When severe pain is not controlled

• When swelling does not improve over time or becomes worse

• When signs suggesting infection appear, such as high fever, pus, bad odor, or swelling

• When the stitches come loose or the wound does not seem to be healing normally

Reporter Bae So-yoon, Cultural Journal 21

© Cultural Journal 21. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited.