What root canal post-treatment tips should you follow?

1. Consume soft foods
2. Take your prescribed medication
3. Keep the area clean
4. Take a break from strenuous activities
5. Quit smoking
6. Visit your dentist for follow-up

A root canal treatment is a type of dental procedure that involves the removal of the pulp, or nerve and blood supply of the tooth. This is usually performed under local anesthesia. This procedure is needed when the pulp is injured, inflamed, or infected. This is usually due to an untreated cavity or a fracture that reached the pulp already. Normally, root canal recovery will only take less than a week. To make your experience more bearable, here are some root canal post-treatment tips you can follow. Keep on reading!

Consume Soft Foods

You can eat after your root canal treatment, but make sure to wait until the numbness wears off. This can take a few hours. This is crucial, so you don’t accidentally bite an area that doesn’t have sensation yet.

When eating, choose soft foods for the first couple of days to avoid irritation. Here are some examples:

• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Meatloaf
• Pasta
• Noodles
• Cooked vegetables
• Yogurt
• Smoothie

Avoid hard and sticky foods, because these can remove a temporary crown or filling. Skip food and drinks that are overly hot or cold, as this can aggravate the sensitivity in your teeth. Other than that, be extra careful when chewing on the side of the root canal treatment to prevent trauma on the tooth

Take Your Prescribed Medication

Nowadays, dentists use pain-relieving measures to reduce the pain during the root canal procedure. Your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. But after the treatment, the anesthetic will wear off, so you might experience some mild pain. This should only last a few days.

To reduce the pain, you might only need to take over-the-counter pain medications. Continue to take your medication as prescribed by your dentist.

Keep The Area Clean

It’s important to keep your mouth clean after your root canal treatment, so make sure to brush and floss as you would normally. You can also use an antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of germs. You can also gargle with warm water and salt, as this can help keep your mouth clean and prevent any infection.

Just make sure to be careful around the affected and sensitive areas. Don’t pull the floss near your temporary filling or crown.

Take A Break From Strenuous Activities

Your mouth will be numb hours after your procedure, so it’s important to rest. The first couple of days after your root canal procedure, make sure that you take a break from playing sports, running, hiking, or other physical labor. Take the time to relax, so you can give yourself the best chance at recovery.

Most people can go back to work or school the next day after a root canal, but you may need a couple of days to rest if you’ve had sedation.

Quit Smoking

Smoking isn’t recommended after a root canal treatment, because it affects your healing. People who smoke have higher chances to get infections and have difficulty healing compared to people who don’t smoke. Other than that, it also increases the likelihood of more future dental work. People who smoke have more risk of tooth loss, gum issues, and complications after certain dental procedures.

If you want to achieve the best results after your treatment, it’s beneficial to quit smoking.

Visit Your Dentist For Follow Up

The treated tooth will need a post, core, and crown so you can use it normally. Crowning the tooth is usually done 1 – 2 weeks after the root canal treatment. After that, your dentist will ask you to return for follow-up consultation and x-ray. This is usually done 6 months afterward. Don’t forget to visit your dentist to ensure the successful management of your treated tooth.

Other than that, routine check-ups with your dentist are also important, so they can check the condition of your teeth and gums regularly. They can detect problems early on, preventing the issues from worsening.

Key Takeaway

Root canal treatment is an important procedure done to save your teeth when a cavity is left untreated for a long time. It might also be necessary if your tooth becomes damaged due to trauma. Other than the procedure, the healing and recovery period is also important.

By knowing about some useful root canal post-treatment tips, you can be better prepared for your healing and recovery! If you’re interested in a check-up, you can contact us here at Elevate Dental. We have skilled and experienced dentists that are more than qualified to help you take care of your teeth. Our team will make sure to make you feel comfortable during your visit — from the moment you step into the clinic to your consultation or treatment, and before you go home.