Are you preparing for an upcoming root canal procedure? If so, you should know all you can about the root canal recovery process.
Feel prepared and rest assured that you know how to care for yourself after this procedure to ease any anxiety you may be having. Keep reading for simple recovery tips you should practice after this procedure.
1. Mindful Eating
Soon after a root canal procedure, it’s a good idea to practice cautious eating. You will notice that the area in which you got the root canal will be tender for a little while after the procedure. In order to minimalize your discomfort, work not to chew or bite with the weakened tooth after your appointment.
You will also want to wait to eat once the numbness you may feel after the procedure has worn off. Eating with numbness in the mouth may cause you to damage the weak tooth, or painfully bite other areas of your mouth, such as your tongue.
Work to watch what you eat after your procedure. Avoiding hard, tough and crunchy foods can help to deter pain while chewing.
Try to stick to soft foods, such as applesauce, ice cream, and mashed potatoes for the first few days following the treatment. You should also work to chew on the opposite side of the affected tooth.
2. Keep Up With Hygiene
To avoid the formation of decay and infection following your root canal procedure, you will want to make sure that you follow proper oral hygiene practices. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes each will help to dislodge any leftover food.
Follow your brushing with a gentle floss, working to remove built-up food between your teeth. Cavity preventing mouthwash can be another great supplement to your oral hygiene routine.
3. Follow The Dentist’s Orders
After your root canal, your dentist will tell you how to care for your tooth and how to manage your pain. In some cases, a tooth that requires a root canal will have already been infected. This may result in an absence, which is most commonly caused by tooth decay.
If your tooth was infected, your dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics. Following your root canal, it’s important to take these antibiotics as directed, making sure not to miss any doses. Whether or not you are prescribed antibiotics, it’s a good idea to keep in touch with your dentist.
If you notice that you are having any unusual or severe symptoms, it’s a good idea to contact your dentist right away.
Root Canal Recovery Tips
While root canal recovery is often uneventful, it’s a good idea to be as prepared as possible for this procedure. Make sure that you know how to care for your tooth after a root canal treatment so that you can keep your teeth as healthy as possible and your pain to a minimum.
Are you looking for root canal therapy from a dentist you can trust? Contact us today or schedule an appointment online to get started.