The initial days of an oral cavity are easy to manage. The cavities can become more severe over time. This is why it is important to address the problem. Tooth decay is often ignored by many people until they face the harsh reality of losing their teeth. This doesn’t have be the end. Root canals are a complicated procedure. Therefore, pain following a root canal can be expected. Root canals involve deep cleaning the root of your tooth. This can cause irritation to surround nerves and gums.
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Need root canal treatment?
Only when the pulp is severely damaged by bacteria infection, root canal treatment may be necessary.
If the pulp is infected with bacteria, it will start to die. The bacteria can then multiply and spread.
A pulp infection can be characterized by:
- Pain when you eat or drink hot or cold food or drinks
- Pain when chewing or biting
- a loose tooth
These symptoms disappear often as the pulp begins to die.
Although your tooth appears to be healed. The infection has spread through the root canal system.
You may eventually experience additional symptoms like:
- Pain when chewing or biting back
- Swelling of the gum around the affected tooth
- Pusy oozing from the affected teeth
- Facial swelling
- The tooth will become darker in color
If you have toothache, it is important to visit your dentist. The pulp of a tooth can’t heal itself if it is infected.
It is possible to make the infection worse by leaving infected teeth in your mouth.
If the infection is already established. There may be a lower chance that the root canal treatment will work. Root canal infections are not treated with antibiotics.
The Root Canal Procedure
It doesn’t take long for other complications to develop in the mouth from an infected tooth. Your dentist will be more than happy to treat you early on, rather than waiting for too much damage to occur. You should be aware of these things during a root canal procedure:
- Sedation- First, you will need local anaesthesia to numb your lips for the procedure. Anaesthesia is required because you might already be experiencing pain from the toothache. An endodontist is a dentist who performs root canal procedures. After this, you may be sedated for relaxation and calmness.
- Drilling – At Arizona Family Dentistry we use special tools for drilling a hole in the enamel. This hole is the entry point to your inner tooth.
- Cleaning –The insides of your teeth are cleaned. This does more than just remove bacteria and infection from your tooth. Also, the pulp chamber, which contains nerves and blood vessels is also removed. The pulp should not be removed from a fully matured tooth.
- Filling – The hole is sealed to stop bacteria from returning. A dental filling is usually sufficient. A crown can sometimes be used to secure the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment Aftercare
Although root canals are common procedures, you can still expect to experience some discomfort, pain, and fatigue after the procedure. It is still a type of surgery, and your body will need time to heal.
Treating pain after root canal treatment
Root canal treatment is simple and quick. It also comes with a fast recovery. In the days that follow, you may feel some discomfort and pain. This pain can be managed at home using some post-dental procedures.
These are the steps to take to ease pain and speed up healing after root canals.
Prescribed Medications
If there was an underlying infection, your dentist may recommend painkillers or antibiotics for a few days following your root canal. You should follow the instructions and complete the antibiotic course, regardless of how you feel.
Use Over-The-Counter Pain Medicines
Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain medications if they do not prescribe medication. You will be told what dose to take. Ask about possible interactions with other medications.
Keep up your oral hygiene routine
Your dentist will give you advice on how to return to your normal oral hygiene routine. You can brush the area gently, but avoid irritating sensitive tissue. As the tissues heal, you may have to stop using alcohol-based mouthwashes.
Use Ice packs
You may experience swelling and pain in the jaws for the first 24 hours to 48 hours after the root canal. This is because your mouth was open long enough while you were undergoing it. To reduce tissue inflammation and pain, wrap a towel around your mouth with an ice pack.
Rinse your mouth with saltwater
Warm salt water rinses can ease the pain and discomfort caused by many dental procedures. Warm water can soothe your mouth and reduce inflammation and infection. Avoid using hot water as it can cause irritation to gum tissue, and worsen pain later.
Healthy
Avoid spicy, oily and crunchy foods for 24 to 48 hours. These could cause inflammation. For the first few days after surgery, eat soft foods that are rich in vitamin A or C. Sweet potatoes, eggs, and cooked carrots are all great choices. Smoothies are also a good option, but be careful not to add too much sugar.
Don’t Smoke or Drink Alcohol
Stop smoking and drinking alcohol for at least a few days until the swelling and pain subsides. Prescription medications can be affected by these intoxicants, which can cause the gum tissue to become more sensitive.
Limit Exercise
For a few days, avoid exerting your body until the pain goes away. You can take a short break from any exercise routines, such as jogging or yoga. You will feel more discomfort and pain if you do anything that shakes your head or causes blood to rush to the area.
Do not Chew in the Area
The first two to three days, you should chew on the other side of your mouth. This prevents food from getting stuck in the area. This reduces the pressure on these delicate tissues as they heal.
Eat Soft Foods
You should avoid hard, sticky, or crunchy foods until the crown is placed.
After undergoing a root canal procedure, the crown covers the tooth. You may need another procedure if you have damaged the underlying filling or lost the tooth entirely.
Keep your head high
To prevent blood rushing to your head, prop your head up while you sleep for at least the first two to three days. This will reduce swelling and make you feel less sore when you wake up.
Tips to improve oral health
A good oral hygiene routine can reduce pain after a root canal. These will ensure that your crown lasts for many years and protect all your teeth. These are some tips to consider:
- Avoid eating hard foods after a root canal treatment.
- Brush your teeth at minimum twice daily. To clean your teeth without causing any damage, use gentle circular motions with the toothbrush. The root canal treatment will require special attention.
- To prevent future infections, floss once per day.
- Reduce your intake of sugary foods, drinks, and beverages.
- Regular cleanings are a great way to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
How to get help
Root canal pain should decrease over time. If you still experience pain or swelling, you should see your dentist. Most people need one to two sessions for a root canal to be successful. In severe cases, you may need more cleaning sessions. Recurring pain could be an indicator of this.
If you are taking any prescription-strength ibuprofen or narcotic pain relievers, your symptoms should improve. If they don’t, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength ibuprofen or narcotic pain relievers. These medications are temporary.
After your tooth has been completely restored. Your dentist will likely place a crown over it. They can be made from metal, gold, or porcelain. This is done to avoid future damage to a delicate tooth. Sometimes, pain can be a temporary side effect of a crown that has been placed.
