What comes to mind when you hear the term “root canal?” It likely isn’t anything pleasant. Thanks to pop culture and the portrayal of this treatment, a lot of people deal with anxiety and fear when it comes to root canal therapy. However, the reality is that root canals are a necessary procedure to save a patient from tooth loss, and work to alleviate pain, rather than cause it.
If you have been told you require a root canal, you may be wondering how to ensure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. In this blog post, our team at Queen Stree Dental tells you all you need to know about root canal treatment in Spruce Grove.
What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment
Before we can get into how to recover from root canal therapy, it is important to know what to expect during the procedure. When you first visit a dentist near you for root canal therapy, they will provide you with a local or general anesthetic to ensure that you do not feel any pain during your procedure. Next, they will drill a small access hole into your tooth to access the root canal system and remove any decayed tissue. They will then reshape your canals and thoroughly clean out your tooth. Finally, they will place a filling in your tooth.
Once you have had some time to heal, our dentist will invite you back to the dental office to have a permanent dental crown placed over your tooth and provide it with extra strength and protection. Healing from a root canal does not have to be challenging. Here are our tips for an easy recovery:
#1 Keep Your Head Elevated
It is normal to experience some pain and swelling in your mouth for a short while after undergoing root canal treatment near you. One of the simplest ways to manage this is to keep your head elevated-meaning above your heart- as much as you can. Try to sit or stand up as much as you can after your procedure. If you feel you must lay down, or when it comes time for bed, add an extra pillow to your stack to keep your head raised above your heart and reduce swelling.
#2 Do Not Attempt to Eat Right Away
As mentioned above, our dentist in spruce grove will numb your mouth and gums to ensure that you do not feel any pain during your procedure. This means that you won’t be able to feel anything in your mouth for a few hours following your procedure. For this reason, it is essential that you avoid eating anything until the numbness in your mouth has completely subsided.
Since the area of your mouth where the root canal was performed will be sensitive and tender, it is a good idea to avoid eating especially hard or chewy foods. Stick to softer items, such as puddings, soups, and ice cream. If possible, try to avoid eating or drinking anything especially hot or cold, because your mouth will be extra sensitive to temperature. You should also avoid using straws for the first couple of days following your procedure.
#3 Take Advantage of Over-the-Counter Painkillers
If you are dealing with some discomfort after your root canal treatment, you don’t have to tough it out. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can be extremely helpful in reducing your pain and discomfort.
If you are unsure what the best option is for pain management, ask for recommendations from your dentist. You can use an ice pack on the outside of your mouth to alleviate your swelling.
#4 Use Warm Salt Water
It is important to be mindful of preventing infection in your mouth and specifically around the affected tooth. A simple way to do this is to use a warm salt water solution to rinse out your mouth and throat each day. Fill a cup with warm, not hot, water, and stir in half a teaspoon of salt, then gargle this solution a couple of times a day to fight infection.
#5 Get Plenty of Rest
While you may be eager to get back into your daily routine and workouts, it is important to cut back on your activity for a few days after you get root canal therapy. Rest is important for quick and effective healing. Plus, you don’t want to risk any activity that could cause a jolting motion in your mouth or even worse, get a whack to the face.
Use the first couple of days after your treatment to catch up on your favourite television show, or curl up with a good book. If you have a particularly strenuous job, you may want to take a couple of days off to recover. If you have a job that does not require much physical activity, speak to your dentist about if it is okay to return right away. In most cases, this won’t be a problem, but you may have to work less hours than usual for a few days.
#6 Reach Out To Your Dentist if You Have Concerns
If you notice any issues after your root canal treatment, do not hesitate to reach out to your dentist. This is especially important if you have severe pain, persistent swelling, excessive bleeding, or develop a fever, as these can all indicate infection.
When you call your dentist, they can provide you with recommendations for the next best steps to ensure that your oral health remains in excellent condition. In some cases, you may need to come in for a checkup so they can determine how best to treat you. Some options may include antibiotics or other medications to help you heal.
Visit Queen Street Dental
If you're looking for a dentist in Spruce Grove, our dedicated team of dental professionals at Queen Street Dental is ready to provide you with top-quality dental care and treatments. We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all our patients. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us to book your appointment for root canal therapy today.
