Do's And Dont's After A Root Canal Treatment

After you get your teeth cleaned out during root canal therapy, what next? You want to heal. You’d also want to avoid the next one. Getting a root canal is not a procedure anyone looks forward to. Hence, you must observe some aftercare tips that help you heal faster and maintain good oral health. We will go over these tips in detail soon. Let’s start with answers to some frequently asked questions.

What Can I Expect During A Root Canal?

Your dentist will do a good job of explaining this extensively to you. The first thing you should know is that you will get anesthesia before the procedure. Chances are that one is already experiencing some pain due to the extensive infection. The root canal procedure itself is an uncomfortable one and it needs some numbing. A local anesthetic applied around the area of treatment should do the trick. Next, they will drill a small hole into your tooth to gain access for thorough cleaning of the tooth. This stage is very important because it’s the highlight of the root canal treatment.

To ensure that they have cleared away all infections, dentists often rinse the inside of the tooth several times. They may also place antibiotics in the tooth to kill off any residual microbe. This process ends with dental X-rays to ensure that the root is clean.

The space created in the tooth needs to be filled and the dentist may use temporary or permanent materials depending on the number of appointments you have. You can choose to get a dental crown in addition to the root canal. This improves the structural integrity of the tooth that was cleaned out.

How Long Do Root Canals Last?

A root canal involves cleaning out the teeth, usually as a means of saving a tooth from irredeemable damage due to an infection. A dentist makes a hole and cleans out the pulp that contains the nerves and other living tissues before filling up the hole. One treatment can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years depending on the effectiveness of the procedure and other adjunct treatments such as crowning. It’s also important that one keeps to their visit schedule to the dentist.

Are Root Canals Done In One Visit?

Sometimes, yes. Other times, no. It all depends on the location of the tooth and the severity of the procedure. Many root canals are completed in two visits. One appointment can last from 1 hr 30 mins to 3 hours.

How Do I Avoid A Root Canal?

Good oral hygiene reduces the chances of tooth infection and the need for a root canal. Regular brushing and flossing your teeth are quite important. Limit your intake of sugar. Visits to the dentist for occasional check-ups and exams should not be toyed with. The earlier an infection is treated, the better it is. Root canals are for extensive tooth infections only.

Do’s And Don’ts After Root Canal Therapy?

In the next few hours after the procedure, chances are that you are feeling some soreness after the anesthesia has worn out. Avoid chewing or drinking anything hot to prevent burning your mouth or biting down too hard. Take pain relievers as prescribed by your dentist.

In the coming days, you should stick to soft foods and liquids only. Avoid chewing on the part of the mouth that was affected. Take care to brush gently with a soft brush. Flossing should be done carefully too. Report any unusual sensation to your dentist as soon as possible. Lastly, do not neglect the follow-up appointments.

Root canals are not without complications. The site of operation may get infected again. Sometimes, cleaning is incomplete and the infection continues. The tooth may also crack or break down due to poor aftercare procedures.