Top Family, Cosmetic and Implant Center In 537 Amherst St, Nashua, NH 03063
Root Canal Post Treatment Care
Have you recently had a root canal treatment, and don’t know how to be meticulous during your recovery process? Are you scheduled to undergo one? Relax! Hundreds (if not thousands) of patients undergo a root canal treatment every year in Nashua, NH alone, and they would tell you that there is little that you should be concerned about. Your root canal dentist may already have provided you with the guidelines! However, here is a detailed document of guidelines for care, post a root canal treatment.
- Firstly, do not eat anything unless the numbness from the anaesthetic has worn off. You might just end up biting on your lips in the process. Ensure that you do not even keep anything in your mouth to chew on. The idea is to avoid putting any sort of pressure on the recently treated tooth. Since the root of the tooth is tender at this stage, any sort of pressure might cause damage to the tooth.
- The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) suggests that you immediately book an appointment with your endodontist upon the completion of his work on your tooth. Here’s the reason behind the same:
Once your root canal and any follow-up appointments are completed, you’ll need to return to your dentist for a final crown to fully restore the tooth. It’s important to make this appointment as soon as your endodontist completes work on your tooth. A properly treated and restored tooth can last as long as your natural teeth.
- Follow the instructions on your medications with caution. It is plausible that your endodontist would recommend you narcotics. It is important that you properly adhere to the prescribed dosage. Have a word with your endodontist in case the prescribed dosage does not soothe you, before you decide to increase the dosage on your own. Certain medications have certain diet instructions, before or after the intake of the drug. It is important that you adhere to such instructions.
- Ensure that you do not have anything hot before the numbness in your mouth wears off. Since there is little to no sensation in your mouth during this time, you may not be able to tell how hot the beverage is, and burn your mouth in the process. This does not do any good to the recovery process! Fight that urge to have a cup of tea during that time, and have some water if you need to clench your thirst.
- It is important to keep brushing and flossing on a normal basis. Do not hesitate to put that tooth brush in your mouth, when your mouth is still stiff from the treatment. The hesitance is understandable indeed, but so is the need to keep your oral hygiene at this point. Keeping a proper oral hygiene at this point is essential to keep the bacteria away to help you recover faster. However, it is obvious that you must brush and floss gently during this time, until the tooth is fully restored.
When the tooth starts to heel and the mouth begins to loose its discomfort, always chew your food, keeping it away from the treated tooth. Although the tooth might have almost restored itself, it is advisable to continue being careful, so that you don’t damage the recovery in any way.
Root Canal Side Effects
It is also important for you to know the common side effects, post a root canal treatment, to prevent yourself from unnecessarily stressing over! Firstly, swelling near the treated region is very usual. This should go away within 4-5 days. You may also suffer from discomfort in the region, which may last up to several days. Stiffness in the mouth may stay for up to a couple of days. However, if you experience any unusual symptom apart from these, like a chronic pain despite necessary medications, consult us right away!
We, at Advanced Family Dentistry, provide you with one of the best endodontic treatment services in Nashua, NH. We have an experienced group of endodontists, who are well renowned all over Nashua, NH, and we would love to serve you with a stress-free treatment, and guide you perfectly to recovery, post a root canal treatment!