3 Simple Steps To Recovering From Your Root Canal

Millions of root canals are performed on a yearly basis. It is an incredibly common procedure that can save a damaged tooth from being lost, as it preserves the healthy parts of the tooth. If you believe you need to have a root canal or already have the procedure scheduled, you may be curious about the post-op care. Keep reading to learn three very simple steps on how you can speed up the recovery of your root canal.

Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication

Root canals were once a bit more complicated than they are today. Therefore, the pain and discomfort that are now felt following the procedure are not nearly as severe as they once were. Regardless, there is some discomfort that is likely to be experienced after the procedure. In most cases, this discomfort is mild. Because of this, you should be able to soothe the pain with over-the-counter pain medication like Naproxen or Ibuprofen. If the pain persists, however, speak to your dentist, as you may have an infection that needs to be addressed.

Avoid Chewing on the Side of the Mouth That Was Treated

As you are recovering, the affected tooth and the area around it is going to be sensitive. If you use that side to bite and chew, you are going to experience more pain. Therefore, you will want to ensure that the affected area receives as much rest as possible from chewing and biting for two or three days following the root canal procedure. You want to be extra cautious to avoid hard foods and instead eat soft foods only. Once the tooth heals, you can begin chewing normally and incorporating regular food into your diet.

Brush Your Teeth with Ease

After your procedure, you may be afraid to brush your teeth, especially around the tooth that was just worked on. However, it is very important that your keep that area as clean as possible to avoid an infection. To avoid causing more pain, you will want to brush it extra gently. You should work in slow, circular motions.

The aforementioned tips will help keep your mouth clean and healthy after the recovery while also helping to speed up the recovery time after the root canal procedure. If, following the procedure, you experience extreme pain or swelling, you should contact your dentist immediately. For more information about root canal treatment and recovery, contact a local dentist.