How to Care for Your Teeth After Root Canal Therapy

Despite the many improvements in modern dentistry, tooth decay is still the cause of many tooth losses in the world. People allow dental cavities to destroy their teeth so much so that the only treatment is an extraction procedure.

This, however, does not have to be your fate. The minute you spot a cavity on your tooth, you should get to Riverbend Family Dental and have a dentist prescribe the best treatment. If the cavity has already damaged part of your tooth’s structure, then prepare for an endodontic procedure that will help save your tooth.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

It is a type of endodontic procedure that involves treating a damaged root canal in a tooth to save it. Endodontic dental treatment s are unique procedures that focus on the health of the insides of a tooth so that patients do not have to lose their teeth prematurely.

What To Expect During A Root Canal Procedure

Root canal treatment involves deep cleaning of the insides of a tooth to rid it of present bacteria. The dentist drills a hole on your tooth, and using special dental tools, sucks out the insides thereof. The process of cleaning inside a tooth not only gets rid of bacteria but also the damaged parts of the tooth.

The central part of a tooth, the root canal, is usually damaged when your tooth is decayed. The cleaning process gets rid of the nerve endings, blood vessels, and soft tissues of the diseased tooth. Afterward, the tooth is filled and sealed, preventing bacteria from re-entering the tooth. All this process is done under sedation, to numb your mouth and keep you relaxed throughout, especially you suffer from dental anxiety.

Is It Painful?

Many people dread the idea of getting a root canal treatment because of the pain involved. In the past, root canal procedures were painful. However, today, modern dentistry has a provision for sedative medication that alleviates any discomfort you may experience during the treatment. Once the anesthesia has kicked in your system, all you will experience is some slight pressure, particularly as the tooth is being cleaned.

After the procedure, you may feel some soreness in the treated tooth. The soreness is mild and usually felt once the anesthesia begins to wear off. It is also short-lived so that it only takes a couple of hours for your mouth to resume normalcy.

After Care Instructions for Root Canal Treatment

Although the soreness in your mouth wears off after some time, how you take care of your mouth can make a huge difference. Some tips to follow include:

1. Don’t eat anything immediately after your treatment – before the anesthesia wears off, your mouth will still be numb. Eating with a numb mouth increases your risk of hurting yourself without feeling it. Instead, wait until the numbing wears off before your first meal.
2. Take the prescribed pain medication – your dentist will prescribe some pain relievers that you may get over-the-counter to help manage your discomfort as you heal.
3. Avoid hard and crunchy foods – watching what you eat will impact the healing and recovery process. Hard and crunchy foods will only cause you discomfort and slow down the healing process. Stick to soft foods immediately after your procedure, then slowly re-introduce yourself to eating hard foods as you heal.
4. Take time to rest – this is especially important right after your treatment. Make ample time to sleep and rest. This will allow your body to rejuvenate while concentrating on healing and recovery.
5. Monitor the healing – soreness and sensitivity should only last a few days. If you still feel the pain weeks into your procedure, then it may indicate a complication or another dental problem. Talk to your dentist about the progress of your tooth after the treatment.
6. Manage the swelling – your mouth will have some inflammation around the site of the root canal. Manage the swelling with a cold compress and the prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.
7. Keep up with proper oral hygiene – if your tooth is still sore and sensitive, use mouthwash to rinse off any bacteria in your mouth. However, do not completely slack in your oral hygiene. Change your toothbrush to one with soft bristles, if you have to, and floss every day. If you feel hesitant about your preparation to brush your teeth after your surgery, ask your dentist for instructions on how to manage oral hygiene by yourself.