Root canal treatment is usually associated with pain and discomfort. This treatment procedure is performed to treat a decayed or damaged tooth. So, if your tooth’s pulp is infected, going for root canal treatment at a dental office near you is an effective way to save the tooth.
The advancements in dentistry have made the process of root canals seamless and almost pain-free. In this blog, we have provided tips to follow after undergoing treatment for faster recovery. But, before delving deeper into this topic, you should have a clear understanding of root canal treatment.
What Is A Root Canal?
A “root canal” is not a treatment process but a specific tooth part. The pulp, commonly referred to as the hollow part of a tooth, is where the nerves, blood vessels, and other cells are present.
The crown and roots make up a tooth. The tooth is joined to the jawbone with the roots. The roots are primarily below the gum, whereas the crown is mostly above it.
The pulp is located inside the crown, root, or canal. The pulp nourishes the tooth and also provides moisture to the surrounding areas. The nerves present in the pulp helps to sense cold or hot temperatures.
But the phrase “root canal” is now often used to refer to surgery. Now, root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to remove the tooth pulp. As mentioned before, the pulp comprises the connective tissues and blood vessels that enable the tooth to grow.
In most cases, this treatment is performed by a general dentist or endodontist while the patients in under the influence of local anesthesia.
8 Useful Root Canal After Care Tips
You can adopt a few measures to speed up the process of recovery after undergoing root canal treatment.
You should not eat right away
You should not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth has completely subsided after the treatment. Also, be careful not to bite or chew directly with the affected tooth when you start eating.
Elevate your head
It is normal to have discomfort and inflammation in the oral area following the procedure. You can reduce that swelling by sleeping with your head raised for the first few nights after the treatment. Placing an additional pillow behind your head will help ease the discomfort.
Use over-the-counter pain medications
Even though the treatment is painless, you may feel pain and discomfort in your gums and jaw after the anesthetic wears off. Your dentist can recommend the consumption of ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller, to alleviate the discomfort.
Gargle with warm salted water
Gargling with warm salt water will keep your mouth healthy and prevent any infection from spreading to the gums around your impacted tooth. The ratio of salt to water should be half a teaspoon to one cup of lukewarm water.
Use a cold compress or eat ice creams
Eating ice cream and applying cold compresses will reduce swelling after your root canal procedure. Use a cold compress for at least 15 minutes multiple times a day until the inflammation gets fades. You should avoid eating ice cream with a damaged tooth because it is common to suffer from tooth sensitivity.
Avoid the causes of inflammation
Avoid smoking, drinking with a straw, drinking hot beverages, and consuming alcohol while you’re healing. These things can all cause inflammation. You should also wait until your recovery is complete and the risk of re-infection has completely passed before eating anything that might get trapped between your teeth.
Taking a break is essential
You should avoid playing sports, physical activity, running, or hiking for the first two days following a root canal surgery. Instead, use that time to relax and stay away from strenuous exercise as you heal.
Comply With Your Dentist’s Instructions
Your dentist will tell you exactly what to expect during the recovery phase and will provide specific tips to follow. Make sure to adopt these recommendations for quick recovery. In case of any complications, do not hesitate to contact your dentist immediately.
We hope you now know what to do after going for root canal treatment. Following these tips will help you witness a hassle-free experience. Root canal treatment has a very high success rate, so do not hesitate to go through the process if you need it.