How to Handle Pain After Tooth Extraction in Elderly Patients
Oral health can be one of the major issues the aging population faces as they get older and wellness generally declines. The combination of other health issues, weakened strength, and more regular medication use can cause a lot of problems.
This is why many elderly patients have to have tooth extractions and other dental procedures. These can help them in the long run but cause extra pain immediately following the appointment.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce pain after tooth extraction to help them feel more comfortable and at ease. Our guide can help you come up with the best treatment plan going forward!
Keep Up on Cleanings
Many tooth problems are caused by poor oral hygiene and simply improving the daily cleanings can resolve any issues. This is true after tooth extraction as well.
Making sure the area and surrounding teeth are thoroughly cleaned twice a day can ensure no bacteria grows and eliminates the danger of infection. It’s important to be detailed in your cleanings but to be gentle as well. There’s no need to further inflame the area and cause more dental pain!
Specific Diet Changes
For elderly dental care, it’s important to follow the dentist’s recommendations exactly. This includes any diet changes that are recommended following a procedure.
Aged Care Dentistry understands the role that food and diet can play in recovery from a tooth extraction, which is why they advise caregivers to pay close attention to appetites and eating habits afterward.
Regular Pain Medication Schedule
An untreated toothache can lead to a whole host of other problems for an elderly patient. If there is significant pain after a dental appointment, it’s a good idea to begin a regular pain medication schedule until it’s resolved. This can be monitored by their healthcare provider for best results.
The key is to stay on top of the schedule and keep doses as regular as possible for full relief.
See a Professional
There is no substitute for seeing a dentist on a regular basis for check-ups and deep cleanings. Keeping your elderly patient on a consistent schedule will keep their oral health on the right track.
Seeing a professional allows any minor problem to be addressed quickly before it has the chance to escalate out of control and cause a lot of excess pain you’ll need to manage.
Handling Pain After Tooth Extraction
The last thing a caregiver wants is to see their patients in any additional pain. That’s why they’ll go to great lengths to resolve any issues and relive any discomfort they can.
Pain after tooth extraction is one of those problems that can become overly dramatic if not taken care of properly. Taking the right steps immediately following the procedure and moving forward into the future will make a huge difference in the elderly patient’s daily life and ability to function.
If you’re interested in learning more about the best health and wellness practices, check out our other articles today!