Has your dentist recommended a root canal for your dental issue? Follow these six pieces of advice to recover from your root canal quickly!
Not so long ago, root canal therapy was known to have been one of the most painful experiences somebody could go through. However, thanks to modern medicine and technology, this is no longer the case. Root canals have many benefits such as:
- Elimination of pain
- Restoration of function
- Smile beautification
- Prevention of greater dental work
- Cost-effective dental treatment
If you are getting ready for your upcoming root canal appointment, here are some tips you can follow for a comfortable recovery period.
Safe, Effective, and Tailored Root Canal Treatments At Our NE Calgary Dental Clinic
At Marlborough Dental Centre, one of NE Calgary's top dental offices, our dentists have successfully provided root canal therapy to thousands of patients. If you need a root canal or any other dental treatment such as dental cleanings, emergency dental surgery, or wisdom teeth removal, our team is ready and waiting to help you.
Book your dental exam and consultation by calling us at 403-248-2066.
6 Tips To Help You Rapidly Recover From A Root Canal
1. RICE
No, not the food, the acronym for first aid. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation. While you may think that this acronym is only valid for moments of injury, such as when you pull a muscle or sprain your ankle, it is just as useful for minimizing swelling and pain for root canals.
Rest: In the first few days after your root canal procedure, avoid strenuous activities such as activities, sports, exercise, manual labour, lots of talking, and more. Now is the time to rest, relax, and let your body go through the natural healing process.
Ice: Icing areas of injury is a well-known method of limiting swelling and therefore limiting pain. Use a cold compress for around 15 minutes every couple of hours for the first few days post-treatment. You can also use this time as an excellent excuse to eat as much ice cream as you’d like!
Compress: This aspect of the acronym is definitely the most challenging to pull off due to the location of the swelling being directly in your mouth. However, you can achieve this by using the ice pack to put subtle pressure on the swelling, limiting blood flow to the area.
Elevate: After a dental procedure, many dentists will recommend their patients to sleep sitting up for a couple of nights to elevate their head and limit swelling, causing blood flow to the area. To limit the discomfort this position may cause, use an extra pillow or two!
2. Avoid Inflammation-Causing Substances
Just as there are ways to limit swelling (RICE), there are ways of increasing swelling, which we want to avoid. Some common substances that are known to increase swelling in injuries include:
- Alcohol
- Hot Drinks
- Smoking
- Crunchy foods
- Gum
Avoiding these will do you just as much good as following the RICE acronym.
3. Use Pain Medication As Needed
While root canals have a poor reputation for causing pain, the actual procedure itself is relatively painless! Where most patients feel pain is before their operation from the ailment that is requiring the root canal and after the procedure once the anesthetic has worn off. If your dentist does not prescribe you medication, over-the-counter pain medications will do just as good!
4. Take Some Time Before Eating
Obviously, you will need to eat at some point. However, we recommend that you take some time after your procedure to rest your mouth before diving headlong into a multi-course meal. Once you do feel well enough to eat, start off with some soft foods that are easy to chew and avoid crunchy and hot delicacies.
5. Be Prepared To Be Uncomfortable
One of the most common symptoms after a root canal is tooth sensitivity. Don’t worry, this heightened sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures is typically only temporary and will decrease as your body heals. During this period, you may want to stick to room-temperature food and drink, so you don’t suffer any more pain than you need to.
6. Follow Your Dentists Instructions
The most crucial tip throughout this entire article is to make sure you follow your dentist’s instructions for aftercare as closely as possible. They are the expert for your specific situation and know how to provide you with the utmost care possible. If you ever have any questions regarding your root canal therapy, contact your NE Calgary dental professionals.
Call Today To Get Your Dental Exam and Cleaning to Avoid a Root Canal
To find out more about our root canal treatments, dental exams, teeth cleanings, and how our dentists can help make your dental procedure as comfortable and quick as possible, contact our team at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form below!
FAQ’s
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
Most root canals will sideline you for only a couple of days. If the discomfort caused by your root canal lasts for longer than 5 days, follow up with your dentist to ensure there are no complications.
How successful are root canals?
While the success rate depends greatly on individual circumstances, the typical success rate for root canals to alleviate pain and solve the issue ranges between 85-95%.
How painful is a root canal?
Most of the pain associated with a root canal is not caused by the root canal itself but by the underlying dental issue that the root canal is working to resolve. Root canals themselves are relatively painless, thanks to modern medicine and anesthetic.
