The Do’s and Don’ts of Root Canal Recovery

Dental infections are quite common and are usually caused by severe decay that has allowed bacteria to penetrate the roots of the teeth, causing pain, swelling, and other undesirable symptoms. The exact number of root canals teeth have can vary, with molars having up to four. Whether you have just one root canal infected or more, you’ll probably be recommended to undergo root canal treatment.

A root canal is the only way to save severely infected teeth, and countless procedures are performed around the world every year. Despite its reputation, a root canal is actually far less painful and unpleasant than most patients expect. Nevertheless, it is a surgical procedure, and this means that you will need to allow yourself some time to recover. There are also certain things that you should or shouldn’t do to minimize your risk of complications and aid the speed and comfort with which you recover.

Here are some of the key do’s and don’ts of root canal recovery.

Do

Take your medication. You’ll probably be prescribed antibiotics and may also be given pain medication to take following your procedure. Make sure that you take this as directed. Finish the course of antibiotics and take pain medication at the allotted times, rather than trying to brazen it out. Being in pain actually slows down the healing process.

Eat softer foods. Your mouth is likely to be sore for several days following a root canal. You’ll also need to be extra careful of the tooth that the procedure was performed on. Your dentist will advise you to follow a soft food diet for at least 3 or 4 days until the swelling and discomfort subsides. Think mashed potato, soups, yogurts, and smoothies!

Be careful brushing your teeth. Again, you need to be mindful of your tooth so while you will need to brush it, you should do so with extra care. Avoid flossing around it for a couple of days as this could cause extra irritation.

Go home and rest. It’s not surgery in the traditional sense, but dental procedures can be just as tiring, and your body needs the energy to heal. We recommend that you spend the rest of the day of your root canal resting.

Don’t

Eat or drink straight away. Your root canal will be done under local anesthetic, meaning your mouth will be numb for at least a few hours after the treatment is complete. If you eat or drink anything you could accidentally burn your mouth or bite down too hard on the tooth and cause problems. Instead, only sip water until the anesthetic has worn off.

Exercise for a few days. If exercise usually forms part of your daily routine, you should be prepared to take a few days off. That’s because exercising too soon can cause your tooth to bleed, as well as making you feel achy, run down, and tired – feelings that aren’t conducive to recovering from surgery.

Smoke or vape. Smoking and vaping both expose your mouth and your healing tooth to toxic chemicals which could interfere with the healing process. Your dentist will advise you to quit – at least for a few days if not for good!

Delay speaking to your dentist. It’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort for at least a few days following a root canal. However, while other complications aren’t common, it’s important to have an awareness of when issues arise that mean that you need to see your dentist. If you notice excessive swelling or swelling that isn’t going down quickly, an unusual rash, bleeding, or that your pain medication isn’t effective, it’s important to get in touch with your dentist right away.

For more advice about recovering from a root canal, visit Obeng Family Dental in Port Orange, FL. Call (386) 761-9440 to schedule an appointment.