When you’re getting ready for your root canal treatment, you may be primarily focused on the procedure itself, but it’s also important to consider what comes next. Your mouth will need time to recover, and you’ll have to take the proper steps to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. To ensure that you’re fully prepared, here’s an overview of what to expect in the days following your root canal treatment.
The First Day
Your mouth will be numbed with a local anesthetic during your root canal treatment to prevent you from experiencing any discomfort. Once the procedure is complete, the numbness will normally persist for at least a few hours. It’s best not to try eating anything while your mouth is still numb; otherwise, you could put too much pressure on your teeth without realizing it, and you could inadvertently burn your mouth if you consume anything that’s too hot.
After the local anesthetic has worn off, there will likely be some discomfort. Many patients report that the area around the treated tooth feels tender and sore. You can typically keep your discomfort under control by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Also, if you notice any swelling, you can reduce it with an ice pack.
Recovery Over the Next Few Days
The discomfort in your mouth should start to subside on its own as time passes. You can normally go back to your regular routine within a day or two after your procedure, but you will still need to take care of your mouth by:
- Maintaining a diet of soft foods such as mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.
- Keeping food away from the treated tooth while you’re chewing.
- Taking any medications that you were prescribed.
- Being very gentle when brushing or flossing around the area where the root canal treatment was performed.
Follow-Up Appointment
At some point after your root canal treatment, you’ll likely need to pay your dentist another visit in order to have a dental crown placed. This is done because a root canal treatment involves creating an opening in the enamel to remove the inner pulp, which ultimately weakens the tooth’s structure. As such, a crown is required to protect the tooth and ensure that you’re still able to use it to bite and chew your food.
As long as you’re diligent about taking care of your teeth, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about in the days following your root canal treatment. Remember to call your dentist if you have any questions or if you notice any unusual symptoms.
About the Practice
At AV Dental Associates of Jersey City, our team is dedicated to helping our patients meet all of their dental needs in a single convenient location with plenty of options for making their care affordable. If you have an infected tooth, we can save it and put a stop to your pain with a root canal treatment. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (201) 484-7759.
