Root canal. The very phrase can inspire fear and dread. Maybe you’ve heard that root canal treatment is painful. It might have been at one point in history, but modern technology and pain management make it feel almost like fixing a cavity. With the right aftercare for a root canal in Topeka, you can avoid most of the discomfort and return to normal in no time.
Pain after Root Canal Therapy
As the numbness wears off from your root canal procedure, the area around the tooth may still feel tender for a few days. In fact, mild to moderate pain may occur for a few days following the procedure. You may also experience some soreness from having your mouth open for an extended period of time. However, these symptoms should be temporary. In many cases, over-the-counter medication is enough to manage the pain, but in others your dentist may prescribe a stronger narcotic to help as you heal.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately:
- You feel severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days.
- You notice visible swelling either inside or outside your mouth.
- Your bite feels uneven.
- Your temporary crown or filling comes out of place.
- You have the same symptoms that you had before root canal therapy.
Tips after Root Canal Therapy
It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions for aftercare. But some tips for post-root canal treatment include the following:
- Wait to eat something until the numbness wears off, so you don’t bite your cheek or tongue.
- Avoid using that tooth to chew, especially crunchy foods, until you have had your final crown or filling placed.
- Keep up good oral hygiene practices, like brushing and flossing, to keep the area around the tooth clean, especially while the temporary crown is in place.
- Make sure to get your final crown placed as soon as it is ready. Schedule your follow-up appointment as soon as possible.
With the proper care, your restoration can last as long as your natural teeth.
Questions to Ask Your Dentist
Hopefully you were able to get most of your questions about the procedure answered by your dentist in Topeka before they started it, but in case you didn’t, here are some questions you should ask at this point:
- How bad was the damage done to the pulp?
- Would it have been better to extract the tooth altogether? Why or why not?
- How long will it take to prepare and place the final crown or filling? How long will the temporary crown or filling be in place?
The whole point of root canal treatment is to remove the source of pain and allow you to keep your natural tooth for as long as possible.
Root canal therapy doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems. As you follow these tips for aftercare, you can make your recovery from root canal treatment as smooth as possible and enjoy your happy, healthy, natural smile for years to come. For more information about root canal therapy and instructions for aftercare, contact your dentist in Topeka.
About the Author
At Michel Dental, both Dr. Michael Michel and Dr. Lindsay Biggs offer many dental services including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic for patients of all ages and rarely need to refer patients to specialists. You can contact them by calling (785) 273-0801 or clicking here.