3 Things that May Happen after Your Root Canal
by Lillian Dixon
Having a root canal treatment is a common procedure practiced by many dental offices. The treatment itself removes decay and infection to help reduce swelling and pain in the infected area. Though you may already know information about why you need a root canal and what the treatment entails, you may not know what to expect after your root canal. Here are three things that may happen after your root canal treatment and what to know about each issue.
Pain Management
There is a misconception that you will not experience pain after root canal treatment. The truth is, some people do experience mild amounts of pain following the procedure. This is due to the tooth not being completely healed. In fact, most dentists will suggest using an over the counter pain medication to help reduce pain and swelling in the area. If you experience pain that is not responsive to over the counter medication, or lasts for several days, make sure to contact your dentist to check for potential complications and issues with the site of the pain.
Increased Chance of Damage
Having root canal treatment may leave your tooth weakened for a short time while it heals. This means there is an increased chance of damaging the tooth or even breaking it. To reduce this chance, make sure you are eating softer foods for a few days. Try to avoid hard candy, crunchy foods or harder foods that may cause tooth damage. Stick to foods that are easy to chew and also try to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that experienced the root canal treatment. This will help reduce the chance of damage and possible increased tooth pain during the healing process.
Tenderness When Brushing or Flossing
You may experience tenderness around the root canal treatment area following the treatment procedure. This may last a few days or longer depending on the extensiveness of the root canal treatment. When you are first able to start brushing and flossing the area, you may find increased tenderness. If this is the case, consider using a waterpik style cleaning device. This will help clean the area without causing pressure to the area during the healing process. If the tenderness continues for an extended time, contact your dentist to find out if you need to change your toothbrush or use a sensitive tooth paste.
Your dentist will let you know if there is anything to look for specifically related to your tooth issues and treatment. If you have any issues with ongoing pain or swelling after the root canal treatment, contact your dentist for an immediate appointment. They can help if there are complications and help with possible treatment to prevent further issues.
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About Me
As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.