Tips for Recovering From a Root Canal

If you have found yourself in need of a root canal, you may be a little anxious about the procedure and the recovery period. We want to help ease your fear by first saying “Root canals are not evil! They actually relieve the pain, not cause it!” and by giving you a few tips to help your recovery go smoothly.

Be Cautious When Eating

After a root canal, you have to watch out for the three W’s: when to eat, where to chew and what to eat.

• Do not eat anything until the numbness from the anesthesia wears off. If you try eating too soon, you may cause added injury by biting your tongue or cheek.
• Do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until it has been fully restored. Some endodontists will use a temporary filling first and place a permanent crown a few days later.
• Do eat soft food for the first couple of days. Be careful when eating food that is crunchy. If you were to accidently bite down with a tooth that still has the temporary filling it could cause the filling to chip or break.

Don’t Let Pain Go Unchecked

Most of the time, you will feel little to no pain after a root canal, but occasionally, some people will have mild discomfort in the tissue and ligaments that surround the tooth that had the root canal. This usually happens during biting down or chewing. The ligaments that surround the tooth become irritated and swollen and can be sensitive to touch and pressure. Although not uncommon, this added aggravation can cause discomfort during chewing. Your endodontist can reduce the biting forces on the tooth to lessen the impact you feel while eating.

Your endodontist may suggest you take over-the-counter products for a couple of days to help with the discomfort. In an even rarer instance, the pain after a root canal can become severe. If you experience this type of pain, you should see your endodontist as soon as possible.

Symptoms that Require a Call to Your Endodontist

• A visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth
• An allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction)
• A return of your original symptoms
• Your bite feels uneven
• You think your temporary filling has come out (It is not unusual for a thin layer to wear off during your wait for a permanent filling, but if you think it has fallen completely out, you will want to have it checked.)

Continue with Preventive Care

During your recovery, it is important to keep up your daily brushing and flossing routine. If you haven’t had one up until now, this is the perfect time to start. Your dentist will want to keep up with the health of the tooth that had the root canal plus your other teeth and gums, so regular checkups and cleanings are also recommended. Your dentist or endodontist may also periodically x-ray the tooth to ensure that healing has occurred.

Occasionally, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or pain continues. You could also experience a relapse months, or even years later, after successful treatment. Preventative care is needed so this does not happen, but if it does, most likely you will be referred back to an endodontist to repeat the procedure and save the tooth. A tooth that has had appropriate endodontic treatment, proper restoration and a good daily regimen that includes brushing and flossing can last as long as your other natural teeth.

Listen to Your Endodontist

So, root canals are not evil and your endodontist is your friend! This may be hard to believe after all the negative hype that you have heard about root canals, but it is true! Your endodontist will have specific instructions for you after your procedure. It is imperative that you follow these instructions to give you the best possible outcome with a complete and successful recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery period, call your endodontist immediately. He or she wants to hear from you! They do not want you to worry about something when they can easily address the issue, whether it is serious or not. Root canals and the recovery process can be pretty simple and comfortable for most patients, but everyone is different and recovery will vary between patients.

If you need a root canal or would like to speak to someone for more information about endodontic care, please contact our office today!