How to Care for Your Teeth after Root Canal Therapy

At AXIOM Implant & Specialty Dentistry, we strive to provide our patients with informed knowledge about caring for their teeth after they have undergone any treatments to a root canal. Root canal therapy can be a very worrisome for many of our patients and we want them to have the best experience we can offer. With this guide, we want to ease your mind about receiving root canal therapy and know with first-hand experience how best to care for yourself post-treatment.

The first thing you should know about root canal therapy is that the technology for care makes leaps in advancement every year. You may know someone who took a while to recover from their root canal therapy, but your own treatment may be heal at a far faster rate thanks to these quality of life changes in technology. At AXIOM, our endodontists use digital imaging, ultrasonic tools, and other technologies to ensure the success of your procedure and a rapid recover for you to get back to your standard of living.

Things to Remember Just Before the Treatment

  • You will need a designated and reliable driver to assist you going to the procedure and returning home as you will be placed under anesthesia during the treatment which will impair your motor skills.
  • Get a good night’s sleep before the treatment to ensure your body is in good health. This will also ensure that your immune system is at optimal performance to increase recovery rates.
  • You may be prescribed antibiotics before your root canal therapy. Make sure to take the recommended amount and do not stop taking your antibiotics midway through as this may create bacteria that is immune to the antibiotics which will cause further harm to your health.
  • Speak with your dental professional in-depth about the procedure to ease any worries you may have about the treatment. Always ask questions if you have any. At AXIOM, our knowledgeable staff is available at all office hours to discuss your treatment plan.

Post-Root Canal Recovery and Discomfort

Directly after the procedure has been completed and your recovery begins, you may be asked to rest in our recovery room to give your body time to regain standard motor functions. During this time, our staff will speak to you, or your driver, about your recovery process and the plan you will need to follow to ensure the best results from your root canal therapy.

After you leave our recovery room, the anesthetic used during the treatment will begin to wear off and you may begin to feel pain or discomfort. Our staff will prescribe you a painkiller medication to ease your discomfort through recovery. Generally, you will want to take your medication as soon as you feel any pain at or around the root canal. Your jaw may also feel sore for a day or so after the procedure as your mouth needs to be held open for a long period of time during the treatment. You can also expect to feel some general discomfort for a few days, like tenderness at the teeth and gums where you had the procedure.

The sensitivity you feel after a root canal treatment is because of a swollen or inflamed tissue surrounding your gums. Small nerves in the tissue and ligaments are still present in your gums despite the removal of the tooth’s nerve root. Any discomfort should subside after a few days as the swelling will naturally go down. If you run out of your prescribed painkillers, standard over-the-counter pain relievers should also work to ease the discomfort.

What if the Discomfort Persists for a Long Time?

If the discomfort did not go away despite the use of medications, you should contact your dental professional right away. This is especially important if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • Visible swelling both inside and outside your mouth
  • Your bite feels uneven
  • Symptoms of infection from prior to treatment return
  • The temporary filling or crown for your tooth comes out

In some rare cases, root canal treatment can be unsuccessful for a variety of reasons. For instance, poor oral hygiene can cause damage the treatment efficiency, which will cause further risks to your oral health. If you experience this, we generally recommend a root canal retreatment.

Retreatment procedures are also essential if there is an extra canal in the tooth that wasn’t seen or treated during the first procedure. Retreatment for root canals, however, is not only for unsuccessful treatments. Problems, including new decay and a broken crown or filling, may occur even with successful treatments, putting treated teeth in jeopardy.

Keep Your Smile Healthy

Maintaining good oral health is not just a matter of having a bright, white smile. Oral hygiene is vital to good health in life. Regular checkups and practicing proactive oral hygiene will help ensure your oral health.

At AXIOM, we treat for critical dental surgeries that can help you restore your body’s optimal health. Our trained professionals use innovative tools to ensure accurate diagnosis and technologies to reduce discomfort.

For more information on AXIOM Implant & Specialty Dentistry and how we can help you with all dental implant or root canal therapy surgeries, call or contact us at (702) 541-8450 and visit our online appointment booking page today.