Congratulations on your upcoming cosmetic dentistry treatment! You’re on the road toward obtaining the smile of your dreams. Before your appointment, however, it’s important to make any necessary arrangements that will allow you to get home safely and recover quickly and completely, without complications.
If your cosmetic dentistry procedure requires sedation of any kind other than laughing gas, you may not drive yourself home after your appointment. Sedation dentistry, even that which is administered by an IV, is conscious, but it leaves the patient feeling dreamy and sometimes woozy or dizzy, and although you may walk and talk and respond to instructions, you are not alert enough to drive. Driving after sedation dentistry can lead to a terrible accident in which you or someone else may be hurt. Avoid this serious issue by arranging a ride home with a trusted family member, friend or coworker.
It’s important to wear comfortable clothing to your appointment, especially if you’re going to go right home to rest. Teeth whitening or dental veneers are simple cosmetic procedures that require little, if any dental sedation; however, dental implants, crowns and bridges or gum treatments will require sedation and therefore calls for rest at home afterward. Wearing soft clothing can allow you to slip right into bed or to recline comfortably on the sofa to begin your recovery.
Many procedures will leave you with a need to consume soft foods and tepid liquids. Have plenty of yogurt, applesauce or soft cheeses on hand. Milkshakes can be an excellent source of calories and energy following cosmetic dentistry.
Be sure to have plenty of anti-inflammatory pain medication on hand, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. This can ease common post-procedure discomfort.
Ask the dentist for more tips on how to prepare for your particular treatment. Just a little work ahead of time can make your recovery so much more comfortable.
