Dental Procedure Pain: Get the Facts

How To Recover From A Root Canal

Having a cavity is one thing, but having an infection in the root of your tooth is another. When bacteria gets inside of the pulp underneath your tooth, it can cause pain, swelling, and irritation. Typically, to get rid of bacteria and infection, your dentist will perform a procedure called a root canal. During a root canal procedure, your dentist will remove the pulp in your tooth and all of the bacteria. They will then replace the pulp with some sort of material to help fill it. Then, they will stitch you up and send you on your way. 

Just like with any sort of medical or dental procedure, it's important that you know how to recover properly. So once you get home, what can you do to remain comfortable and speed up your recovery process? This article will take a closer look at a few steps that you can take.

Watch What You Eat

Although you only had to have a root canal on one or two teeth, you should still be really careful with what food that you eat. Try to eat foods that are soft and easy to chew so that you won't irritate your tooth and the rest of your mouth. For example, try eating foods like shredded meat, potatoes, smoothies, fruit, and cooked vegetables. 

Rinse With a Saltwater Solution

Because you don't necessarily want to brush around the tooth that was just worked on, you will want to do something else to clean it. One thing that your dentist may recommend is rinsing with a saltwater solution. The salt will help to disinfect the area without you having to brush it. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water, and gently move the water around your mouth and the site of the root canal.

Rest

Your body will need a little bit of rest while it's recovering. Although a root canal is not a huge procedure, it is still a procedure that requires recovery. If your schedule permits, try to take the afternoon off of work or away from your regular responsibilities. Taking some time to rest and relax will help your mouth to heal and feel better sooner rather than later. While you are resting, try to keep your head elevated so that you can get rid of any swelling in your mouth or on your cheeks. 

For more information about the root canal procedure, reach out to a dentist near you.


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