Root canals are a fairly common dental procedure and are often the best option to help a patient save an infected tooth. While the pain involved in getting a root canal is typically no more than that of getting a filling, there can be some discomfort for a few hours or sometimes days following. In most cases, if you get a root canal, you will also need a crown to protect the tooth from breaking.
To ensure that you get the best results, it is important that you follow the aftercare instructions of your dentist:
- Avoid chewing on the side of your root canal.
If you have had your root canal but haven’t yet gone back to your dentist for a protective crown, you will want to avoid chewing on the side where the root canal was done since the tooth can be more fragile during this timeframe.
- Choose soft foods.
Even if you are being careful to chew on the opposite side, it can still be easy to forget from time to time. Give your mouth a break and select foods that are soft and easy to chew.
- Brush and floss gently.
If your mouth is feeling a bit tender after a root canal treatment, take it easy with the toothbrush. You still need to brush of course in order to keep the area clean – just do it gently.
- Take a painkiller.
While most people feel little to no pain after having root canal therapy, some people may feel discomfort. If you do, it’s ok to take an over the counter painkiller like Advil or Tylenol. If the pain doesn’t go away or if it gets worse, contact your dentist right away.
- Get a dental crown.
In almost all cases, if you get a root canal you will need to get a dental crown to protect the tooth from breakage. This is because in the process of getting a root canal, the tooth can be made weaker. A dental crown is placed in a second appointment after your mouth is completely healed from your root canal.
At Sapphire Dental, we believe that if saving a tooth is possible, it should always be the first choice. And when a tooth is infected, root canals are often the best treatment option for saving the tooth. If you would like to learn more about root canal treatment or aftercare, contact our office today.