The newest way to speed up your recovery after surgery isn’t a new drug or miracle plant, it’s cold water…
Dentists are beginning to use a new weapon in the fight against pain and swelling. No, it’s not a new drug or miracle plant, it’s cold water. This shockingly simple solution is not a new concept. People have been putting ice on injuries for centuries in order to control inflammation, which leads swelling, bruising, and pain. So why did it take so long to try this in dentistry?
Let’s look at the problem first: Inflammation is caused by almost any kind of bodily trauma such as injury, surgery, or disease. Your body’s natural reaction is to pump extra blood to the site of an injury, sort of like throwing money at a problem. To do this your body widens the blood vessels leading to the area, a process called inflammation. When you put ice on your skin, the blood vessels underneath the area contract, counteracting inflammation. In the case of bleeding injuries, slowing down the blood flow can help the blood to clot and stop the bleeding.
So why don’t dentists just throw an ice pack on your face and call it a day? Well, it’s tough to regulate temperature when you are using ice, and because it is so cold it becomes unsafe for people to keep the ice on their skin for very long. So King’s College Hospital in London set out to develop a better solution. First they had to find out what the ideal temperature would be in order to maximize blood vessel constriction but also remain safe for the patient. After testing they found that 15 degrees Celsius, or 59 degrees Fahrenheit, was the best temperature. This sounds like a warm water treatment, but remember that your body usually runs at an even 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 37 degrees Celsius. They settled on this temperature because the mask was comfortable enough and safe for the patients to wear for a long time, but also cold enough to be affective.
Next they had to find a way to keep the water at the exact temperature they wanted, despite it being pressed against your warm skin. This is where the Hilotherm mask comes in, which is a beautifully simple solution. It looks like a sleeping mask, but with a long, snaking water vessel that coils over the entire mask. Water is then continuously pumped through the mask by a little machine that regulates the water’s temperature. Patients are supposed to wear the mask immediately after surgery to keep inflammation at bay.
Enough with the theory! Does it actually work? More studies are needed to reach a comprehensive verdict, but the first tests show that the Hilotherm mask is a success. Patients experienced less swelling and less pain when compared to groups of people who used ice packs and also people who didn’t use anything. Possibly the best thing about the mask is how cheap and un-invasive it is. It’s a simple plastic product connected to a small pump. Almost nobody will be allergic to it and the side effects are minimal. If you are going to the dentist to have your wisdom teeth out or some other type of surgery, look for this to be part of your treatment in the coming years.
Dr. Potts is a gentle, caring dentist who uses the most advanced materials and procedures available. He practices comfortable, health-centered dentistry, with a strong emphasis on getting to know each patient. In addition to his technical proficiency, Dr. Potts is a careful listener. He makes sure to understand what you want and will explain beforehand what treatment is best for your individual needs, along with all options available to you. Check out our Twitter, Facebook page, and website.
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