Crucial Dos and Don'ts for Root Canal After Care

Crucial Dos and Don'ts for Root Canal After Care

When you incur an oral cavity on your tooth, the initial days are not hard to get by. However, with time, the cavities grow into dental decay, which becomes a problem that needs to be addressed. Many people downplay the consequences of tooth decay until they are faced with the reality of having to lose their teeth. It doesn’t have to get to that.

A root canal is not novel when it comes to tooth restorations. It is, in fact, an ideal way to treated dental decay, instead of the daunting alternative of having to lose your teeth.

What Is A Root Canal?

It is a process in dentistry that explains the intricate process of saving a damaged tooth, instead of removing it. When a mature adult tooth is severely decayed, it causes a lot of harm in the oral cavity, ranging from severe toothaches to abscessed teeth.

Instead of having your tooth pulled out, a root canal is a viable alternative that lets you keep your tooth without the pain and infection.

The Procedure of Root Canal

An infected tooth does not take too long before other complications begin to erupt in the mouth. This is why your dentist will appreciate going for treatment early, instead of waiting until too much damage has been incurred. Some of the things you should expect during a root canal process include:

  • Sedation – first off, local anesthesia is necessary to numb your mouth for the procedure. Since you may already be in pain as a result of the toothache, the anesthesia is necessary. After that, an endodontist, a dental expert who handles root canal procedures, may sedate you for relaxation and calmness.
  • Drilling – at Arizona Family Dentistry, we use special tools to make a hole in the enamel of the tooth. This hole serves as the access point to the inside parts of your tooth.
  • Cleaning – the insides of your tooth are cleaned out. This process does not only remove the infection and bacteria from your tooth. The pulp chamber, which houses nerves and blood vessels, is also removed. Your tooth should be able to survive without the pulp since it is fully matured.
  • Filling – the hole is sealed to prevent re-entry of bacteria. Usually, a dental filling will do the trick. Sometimes, however, a crown can be placed over the tooth to hold everything in place.

Dos & Don’ts for Root Canal After Treatment

A non-surgical root canal may not be that stressful for you as it happens, because of the sedation. However, your worries may start to kick in when you think of the aftercare period as your mouth recovers. Like with all other dental procedures, the aftercare is important for sustainable results.

What You Should Do:

  • Brush your teeth and floss – do not change up your oral hygiene routine after your procedure. Plaque is the source of tooth decay and is the last thing you want for your newly repaired tooth.
  • Track the swelling on your tooth – one the first few days after treatment, swelling is not unusual. However, it should keep going down as you heal. If not, contact your endodontist.
  • Track the hypersensitivity – sensitivity is also expected post-procedure. However, it should as well reduce with time.
  • Report uncomfortable filling or crown – this does not mean you can your do to the following morning. The filling or dental crown will feel strange for a couple of days before you adjust to it. After that, however, report any unusual discomfort you may be experiencing.
  • Take pain relievers – your attending doctor should prescribe something for the discomfort since the numbing is not meant to last forever.

What Not To Do:

  • Avoid eating immediately after the procedure – your mouth may still be numb, which makes you prone to biting yourself and other accidents.
  • Avoid chewing hard and crunchy foods – you are still in recovery. Give your tooth ample time to heal before you can resume your normal lifestyle.
  • Do not brush your teeth aggressively – while you want to keep away plaque you are not seeking to damage your fillings or cause extreme hypersensitivity. Be gentle with your toothbrush.
  • Do not avoid follow-up appointments – they are the best way for your doctor to keep track of your tooth and check for any complications.
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