5 Dental Care Tips for Recovering from Root Canal Therapy

5 Dental Care Tips for Recovering from Root Canal Therapy

May 1, 2022

The pulp cavity can get infected because of decay, cracks, or repeated dental procedures on the teeth. A pulp infection can cause gum swelling, tooth sensitivity, lingering pain, and darkening of the gums. If the pulp bacterial infection is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding tissues and damage the tooth. A root canal therapy is required to remove the infected pulp and stop the spread.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal therapy removes an infected pulp. Our teeth have three layers, and the pulp chamber is the innermost one. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that nourish the teeth. However, when it gets infected, it can cause pain and sensitivity. While it is treatable, a root canal infection can be dangerous to your oral health if left untreated. It can lead to swelling of the gums and tooth decay, leading to tooth extraction.

Our dentist near you will perform an endodontic treatment to protect your teeth from extraction. Our dentist numbs the gums before starting the procedure. He will drill the crown, access the pulp cavity, and remove the tissues. Our dentist will clean it and use a gutta-percha to seal the tooth and fix a temporary dental filling to cover the tooth.

What Are the Aftercare Tips for Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal recovery takes several days, but this is affected by how well you care for the teeth, here are five tips to speed up the healing process.

1. Elevate Your Head and Use Ice Packs to Ease Swelling

You will experience gum swelling and pain 24 hours after the root canal procedure. You can elevate your head using a wedge pillow to prevent swelling. Cold compression can also help to prevent fluid accumulation. Use an ice pack for 15 minutes every couple of hours, and avoid applying it directly on the skin to avoid skin irritation.

2. Rest

Avoid strenuous activities after the endodontic treatment to prevent bleeding. Resting in the first 24 hours is crucial to your gum recovery.

3. Manage Pain

After the root canal therapy, our dentist will prescribe pain medications to ease the discomfort. Additionally, avoid biting hard foods for the first couple of days to irritate the gums. It is also important to use prescribed antibiotics to prevent an infection.

4. Watch What You Eat

Eat soft and less chewy foods for the first few hours to avoid putting pressure on the gums. Avoid spicy and hot foods that irritate the gums and affect the gum healing process.

5. Practice Good Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene can affect the gums and increase the risk of reinfection. Brush, flossing, and using mouthwash are crucial for your recovery.

What Happens After the Root Canal Therapy?

You will feel slight discomfort and pain as the anesthesia begins to wear out. You may also experience swelling, gum bleeding, and soreness in the first 24 hours after the procedure. You can use prescribed medication to ease pain and prevent infection. These problems will clear after a couple of days, but visit our dental clinic in Houston, TX, if they persist.

Is Root Canal Treatment Successful?

Yes, the root canal procedure is successful. However, the procedure has a few risks, and it can fail. This can happen if you have multiple canals that go unnoticed during the treatment, increasing your risk of infection. A loose filling, crowns, or broken seal, can cause a reinfection. Our dentist can perform retreatment to remove the infection or another procedure altogether.

How Can You Prevent a Pulp Infection?

Pulp infection causes inflammation, swelling, and pain, which can be detrimental to your oral health. You can, however, prevent it with a few practices, like brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and using mouthwash to keep the gums and teeth healthy.

Schedule an Appointment

Looking for root canal therapy in Houston, TX? Call or book an appointment with American Modern Dental for more information on the root canal procedure and what you can expect during and after.

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