The dental procedure of a root canal is essential to protect and save a tooth that has been severely infected. After you have had a root canal, you will need to rest and take good care of your mouth while it heals. Treating your root canal tooth with care and practicing proper brushing and flossing on all teeth will help you recover faster and prevent further tooth decay. Below are some tips to help ensure you recover faster and avoid any further complications.
What Are Root Canals?
During the process of a root canal, the damaged nerves and decayed part of your tooth are removed. Underneath your white enamel is what is known as the pulp. A root canal will remove the pulp and all damaged parts of the tooth. Once your infected or damaged tooth is cleaned out, your dentist will then seal it up to prevent any further cavities or infection.
A fully developed tooth can survive and be fully healthy without pulp, so removing the infected pulp is actually more effective than just leaving it in your tooth. As dental work continues to advance, root canals become more like routine fillings for cavities and are less of an extensive procedure. Today, root canals are relatively painless, can be completed in one to two appointments, and getting back to your normal activities is possible in just a few days.
1- Gargle Warm Salt Water
After a root canal, your gums can become susceptible to infection. To help prevent this you can gargle warm salt water to rinse out any bacteria and keep your mouth healthy. A clean mouth always heals faster, so taking care of your tongue, other teeth, and your gums will help you recover faster after the procedure.
2- Eat The Right Foods
It may be painful to eat hard or crunchy foods after a root canal, so eating foods like smoothies, mashed potatoes, soup, or even ice cream can help aid your recovery process. Ice cream can also be helpful to limit swelling because it is cold and can reduce the swelling in your gums.
It is a good practice to avoid eating right after your procedure and allow the numbing to wear off first. Doing so will help to avoid biting too hard on your tooth or accidentally biting your cheek or lip. Having other swelling or pain spots will make your recovery process more difficult and painful.
3- Avoid Strenuous Activities
After an extensive dental procedure, it is best to take a break from exercising, hiking, or other strenuous activities. Lifting heavy objects, running, or doing something that could jostle your jaw could lead to excessive pain and slow down the healing process. Getting plenty of rest will help your body focus its attention on healing your tooth and prevent dislodging blood clots. Taking a couple of days off should help aid you to recover faster and you can return to normal activities within a week if no other problems occur during your healing process.
4- Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
Another way to reduce swelling and recover faster is to elevate your head while you sleep. Elevating your head while sleeping can also help reduce pain and give you better quality sleep while you are healing. Sleeping this way for the first few days after your root canal will make the risk of swelling much lower and help you recover faster.
Getting quality sleep is important in the healing process, so elevating your head will help reduce some anxiety or restlessness about pain.
Root Canals And Other Dental Procedures With Eric Felt D.D.S.
Severe toothaches are often a sign that you need root canal therapy. The sooner you get to your dentist for a toothache the better chance they have of saving your tooth. Root canals with Eric Felt dental are completed with minimal discomfort and work hard to make you comfortable during the procedure.
Dr. Eric Felt has been practicing dentistry for almost 31 years and looks forward to serving the Cottonwood Heights community each day. Visiting the dentist every 6 months will help you have the best oral health possible and enjoy eating and other daily activities without pain. We are committed to restoring your smile and your mouth health. If you are worried about a dental problem or want to improve the look of your teeth, contact our team and schedule a restorative or general service today.
