After Care Tips to Recover from a Root Canal Treatment
Your dentist and their team will explain all you need to understand about the procedure if you are preparing for or planning root canal therapy in Richmond, IN. Within a week or two after your surgery, your mouth and gums should feel completely normal, except for the absence of infection-related pain and swelling.
How to take care of your teeth after a root canal treatment
After your root canal operation, you may take steps to ensure the fastest and most painless recovery possible.
- Avoid eating right away.
After the procedure, wait before eating anything until the numbness in the mouth has completely disappeared. Be careful not to grind or bite forcefully with the injured tooth when you begin to eat until all localized discomfort disappears.
- Raise your head and avoid eating.
After the surgical procedure, you will have pain and swelling in the oral area. You can lessen the swelling by sleeping with your head raised for the first few nights while you heal. An additional cushion placed under your head can help ease the ache.
- Use over-the-counter medicines
Although the procedure is painless, as the anesthetic wears off, you will feel pain and discomfort in the teeth and gums. For instance, your dentist might advise using ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever.
- Use warm, salted water to gargle.
Gargling with lukewarm water and salt can help keep your mouth healthy and prevent an infection from spreading to the gums surrounding the tooth that is troubling you. One cup of warm but not boiling water should be mixed with half a teaspoon of salt.
- Cold compress and ice cream
After your root canal operation, eating ice cream and applying cold compresses can minimize swelling. Avoid ice cream with the damaged tooth since you may have tooth sensitivity. After the operation, use a cold compress for no more than fifteen minutes daily until the swelling disappears.
- Avoid causes of inflammation.
Your procedure-related swelling can be minimized with the help of ice cream and cold compresses. Avoid smoking, drinking with a straw, drinking hot drinks, and drinking alcohol while healing. These items may promote inflammation. Furthermore, avoid foods that can get stuck between teeth until healing is completed and the possibility of re-infection has subsided.
- Take a break
Sports, physical activity, running, or hiking should be prevented for two days after a root canal operation. Instead, utilize that time to relax and avoid heavy exercise as you heal.