How to Recover from a Root Canal

Root canal procedures are one of the most dreaded dental procedures due to the stories told by others than personal experiences per se. In actuality, the root canal treatment is necessitated by severe tooth decay and damage that cannot be left untreated any longer. Since it is a minimally invasive treatment, although not a surgery, it can leave your mouth feeling a little sore. The pain, however, does not last for too long and typically reduces within a couple of days.

Here is a quick root canal treatment outline that will help you understand and stay prepared.

Understanding Root Canal Treatment

The aim of the root canal procedure is to access the inner parts of the teeth to get rid of bacteria, infection, and damaged tissues - the culprit that causes discomfort in the mouth. A few things you can expect from the treatment are:

• Local anesthesia and sedation are provided at the start of the procedure to minimize discomfort. It is when the effects of these medicines wear off that you feel pain.
• A small hole is drilled through the different layers of the tooth to get to the damaged areas.
• Everything, including food residue, bacteria, infection, and damaged nerve endings, and blood vessels, is cleaned out.
• Since the hole cannot be left exposed, it is sealed shut with a dental filling. In cases where there is extensive damage, a dental crown may be required.

Managing Your Teeth After The Procedure

You ought to feel some pain and sensitivity in your mouth once the anesthesia wears off, but once your body gets accustomed to the change, the pain will gradually reduce. If you wish to reduce the pain as quickly as possible, you will have to consciously manage your teeth. Here’s how you do it:

• Firstly, take over-the-counter narcotic pain relievers prescribed by your dentist post-treatment.
• Avoid eating hard foods and dishes that need a lot of chewing.
• Be gentle while brushing or flossing your teeth.
• Maintain good oral hygiene so that you prevent more such treatments in the future.

Typically, patients recover within a week after the root canal procedure. If you feel pain for too long, visit your dentist so that he or she can look into the underlying issue.