No one wants to hear that they need a root canal, but if you’ve been experiencing a persistent or severe toothache, it’s often the best way to provide some much-needed relief. Your dentist uses this treatment to remove infected materials and restore your troubled tooth’s appearance and functionality.
However, many patients hesitate to proceed because they worry that recovery will be long and agonizing. Fortunately, that’s not the case! Continue reading to learn about 3 helpful hints for healing effectively without developing complications.
Tip #1: Address Discomfort
You’ll be numbed and/or sedated for the procedure itself, so you won’t have to worry about any adverse effects until the medications wear off. Avoid eating anything too hot so you don’t accidentally burn your mouth while it’s numb.
It’s normal to have mild to moderate soreness and swelling for a few days, but these symptoms typically subside on their own after about a week. For a brief reprieve, you can apply an ice pack to the inflamed side of your face for 15 minutes at a time. It’s typically safe to take over-the-counter options like Tylenol or ibuprofen. If your dentist prescribed antibiotics or pain meds, please take them precisely as directed.
Tip #2: Clean Your Mouth Consistently
You must keep your mouth clean to prevent possible complications, like an infection, after your appointment. You might be too tender to resume your usual at-home dental hygiene routine on the same day, so you can try rinsing with warm salt water to naturally disinfect more comfortably.
Then, after the first day, it’s usually okay to resume brushing and flossing as long as you’re gentle around your treated tooth. You may find it helpful to use a soft-bristled brush to minimize potential discomfort.
Tip #3: Eat Soft Foods
Although the worst discomfort passes after a few days, you might feel some tenderness or sensitivity lingering for a week or two, especially when biting or chewing. You can prevent potential aches by sticking to soft foods to avoid triggering your already-irritated gums, especially immediately following your procedure. Popular options include yogurt, applesauce, eggs, mashed potatoes, and blended smoothies.
In most cases, you can resume eating normally when your dentist gives you the green light, or you feel ready to eat more solid foods. Be sure also to drink plenty of water to rinse leftover food, germs, and other debris out of your mouth to prevent an infection. This also hydrates your body to support your immune system and prevent issues like gum disease while you recover.
Thankfully, root canal recovery doesn’t take long, and most patients return to normal within a few days!
About the Practice
At Carlson Dental Group, you and your family benefit from two dentists with 30+ years of combined experience. Dr. Le and Dr. Murray take pride in providing a full menu of services to help people of all ages build their happiest, healthiest smiles. They take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns to provide customized solutions to meet them. Plus, they’re equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve your comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. If you have a toothache and need help, you can request an appointment on the website or call (904) 262-8409.