When your tooth shows signs of infection or significant pupal damage, your dentist may suggest you undergo a root canal. Often, when a tooth is cracked or there is a severe cavity, it can cause the bacteria to enter the pulp, and if left untreated, it can lead to bone loss or the loss of the tooth itself. As such, you may have no other option but to have a root canal procedure. After receiving this dental procedure, there are specific steps you should take to help you recover faster. Please continue reading and contact our skilled root canal procedures/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ, to learn some quick tips for a speedy recovery.
What are the best ways to support recovery?
After your root canal procedure, to ensure a smooth healing process, there are specific steps you should take to facilitate a speedy recovery. Firstly, some patients neglect to follow all their dentist’s instructions after their procedure. However, if you do not follow all of the instructions from your dentists, it could lead to an infection. Therefore, listening carefully and following their advice as closely as possible is crucial to ensure you return to feeling your best as quickly as possible.
Following the procedure, you should take over-the-counter pain medication if needed. It’s normal to feel discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. Painkillers such as Ibuprofen can help with managing the pain and swelling. If you experience severe pain that seems more abnormal than the typical discomfort feeling, you should speak to your dentist, as they can either provide a more potent medication or determine whether there is an underlying issue.
In addition to taking painkillers when needed, you should stay hydrated. The more fluids you drink throughout the day, the more energized you will feel. Ultimately, staying hydrated will prevent dryness, reducing the risk of inflammation. Applying ice packs to your face in 10-minute intervals also reduces swelling.
Furthermore, you should avoid chewing hard foods for the first 24 hours. Stick to soft foods to prevent discomfort to your jaw. You don’t want to put too much strain on your root canal. Please stay away from acidic foods as they can irritate sensitive areas. Nevertheless, one of the most important steps you can take is avoiding strenuous activity. If you overexert yourself, it will prolong the recovery period. That being said, you should avoid lifting heavy objects or moving around too much.
If you follow these steps, you will help ensure that you go through a smooth healing process. Contact our experienced dentists at Dental Associates of Basking Ridge today for more information regarding root canal procedures.
