Root Canal Therapy Aftercare: 6 Tips That Can Speed Up Your Recovery

Root canal therapy, or endodontics, is often the only treatment your dentist will recommend if you have a deep decay, crack or chip in the tooth.

It is also often the best solution when you have a faulty crown and keep having the same dental procedures on the same tooth.
Endodontic treatment involves removing the inflamed or infected pulp from the root canal in a Fort Lauderdale dental clinic. Once done, the dentist will clean and shape the inside of the root canal and fill and seal the space.

After a week or so, your dentist will then place a crown or another kind of restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to its full functionality.

When the procedure goes well, root canal therapy can help you maintain your natural smile and allow you to continue eating the foods you love. Moreover, it can limit the need for continuous dental work.

With proper care, teeth that underwent root canal treatment can last a lifetime.

Root Canal Therapy Recovery Tips

Proper care starts with taking care of your teeth immediately after your endodontic treatment.

By following the right post-care tips, you are off to a good start in restoring the affected tooth. Moreover, it will hasten your recovery from your root canal therapy.

Below are six important root canal treatment after-care tips to follow:

Be gentle with using and treating your mouth.

After your treatment, avoid eating anything until you no longer feel any numbness in your mouth. If you do, you may end up biting your tongue or other parts of your mouth.

Additionally, observe how your mouth feels after leaving the clinic. Once you get home and notice some pain and swelling, apply an ice pack on the affected area.

It is also important to eat only soft food for the next two days or so. Stock up on soup and fruits and vegetables that you can mash and consume without chewing.

Don’t forget to buy ice cream, frozen yogurt, and your favorite fruits to turn into smoothies or shakes. Aside from making you feel full and providing nourishment, these cold treats can help reduce the swelling and relieve the discomfort you are feeling.
Regardless of what you are eating, avoid using the treated tooth to bite or chew food.

If you smoke or vape, avoid these for the next few days. The less chemicals and foreign products you put in your mouth, the faster your tooth and tissues will heal.

Lastly, keep your head elevated, especially when lying down or sleeping, for the next two days or so. Doing so will help minimize the pain you are feeling.

Manage the pain.

Once the anesthetic wears off, you will likely feel some pain in and around the treated tooth. Aside from applying an ice pack on the affected area, relieve the discomfort by taking the medication your dentist prescribed.

After root canal therapy, dentists also recommend gargling with warm salt water once or twice a day. Doing so allows you to keep your gums and teeth clean, which will help prevent infection. And this will help hasten your recovery.

If your dentist prescribed some antibiotics, make sure to take them as instructed as well.

Take it easy for the next few days or so.

Root canal therapy is a form of oral surgery. As such, you need to avoid doing strenuous activities for the next few days.
This means taking time off from work for the first few days.

Additionally, exercising can cause the affected gums to bleed. You should therefore skip going to the gym, running, or hiking until you feel better.

Once the pain and discomfort recede, ask your dentist if you can engage in some low-impact exercises, such as walking.
But for the next few days, stay off your feet and get plenty of sleep. Doing so will help you feel better faster and speed up your recovery. Find ways to relax and get your mind off the discomfort you are feeling.

Monitor your recovery.

Once the anesthesia wears off, pain and discomfort will start kicking in. You won’t begin to feel like yourself either.
Whatever you are feeling as you recuperate, take note of them and monitor all changes.

Swelling and soreness usually begin to subside after a day or two, especially if you get plenty of rest and take care of your teeth and mouth. If you’re still in a lot of pain after more than 48 hours, you might have an infection or other problems related to your root canal.

In this instance, it is best to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Additionally, schedule an appointment with your dentist if the swelling lasts longer than two days, you have rashes and hives, and your pain medication is not working.

Continue practicing good oral hygiene habits.

Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, after getting root canal therapy, brush your teeth before going to sleep. However, make sure you do this gently and be careful when brushing the affected area.

It is important to do this even if you may still feel some discomfort so that you can remove the bacteria and cavities from your teeth and gums.

After a day or two, go back to your regular oral healthcare routine. This means brushing twice a day and flossing once, preferably at night. But continue to be gentle when doing these to avoid irritating the treated area and disturbing the temporary filling.

Don’t forget to gargle warm water with salt for the next week or so. You can then switch to a mouthwash if you want to remove more bacteria from your mouth and fight bad breath.

Have your dentist place the permanent crown as soon as possible.

Finally, after the root canal treatment, your dentist will insert a temporary filling. A permanent crown will be placed only after a week
or once you have healed completely.

Try to avoid delaying this step to prevent further damage to the tooth.

Also, whether you have a temporary filling or a permanent crown, tell your dentist immediately if it is causing you any pain or swelling. Always observe your teeth and mouth and take note of any discomfort you feel.

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure that requires specialized skills. If you need this type of oral surgery in Fort Lauderdale, consult a dentist with sufficient training and experience in endodontics to ensure the success of your treatment.