After your root canal, it is possible to have some discomfort when the anesthesia wears off. This is temporary, and best managed with over-the-counter pain medication. Here are a few important tips to ensure you get back to feeling, eating and talking normally as quickly as possible.
Listen to your dentist
Your dental care provider will know exactly what’s best for you and your smile, so make sure you take their advice. Follow your prescriptions fully, even if the symptoms subside before the medication runs out. If your symptoms worsen several days after the root canal, consult with your dentist. Some things to watch out for include an uneven bite, a return of your initial symptoms, swelling outside or inside your mouth and adverse reactions to the prescribed medication, including rashes or hives. It’s always a good idea to keep lines of communication open! If you have any questions, schedule an appointment.
Give your tooth a rest
Your tooth needs a break. Immediately following the procedure, be careful while eating until the numbness wears off — it can be easy to accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. When normal feeling returns, avoid chewing with that area of your mouth until the tooth is fully restored. You can brush and floss just as you would normally, but with a bit more tenderness around the affected tooth.
Crown it!
In most cases, to fully restore your tooth to its original strength, a crown should be installed soon after a root canal is completed (sooner is better). It will provide the tooth with the structural support it needs to resist possible future fractures. A fully restored tooth with a crown will last much longer than without it. Once the crown has been placed and the recovery process is over, you can go back to your usual eating, talking and smiling habits.
Root canals are common practice these days, and with modern technology, the procedures are virtually painless. It’s the post-procedure care that can get tricky if you’re not careful. Follow the advice we’ve laid out and it’ll be smooth sailing.
