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Dental procedures can be scary especially when you don’t know what’s happening. The same thing happens for root canal therapy. But we are here to tell you that it is nothing to be scared of. Root canal or endodontic treatment is the dental procedure to treat dead or dying nerves inside your tooth. The soft pulp inside your teeth gets infected or inflamed resulting in extreme pain. At that point it needs to be treated quickly.
Doctors prefer this treatment over others when they want to keep your natural tooth intact. You may still be wondering: is there a way to prevent this? When should you consult a specialist? How complicated is the procedure? How should you take care of your oral health after the treatment? In this blog, we will be discussing all of these questions regarding root canal therapy and more.
At times, the soft tissues inside the root canals get inflamed or infected. It could be the outcome of several things like decay, cracks or trauma. The infected tissue causes serious pain for the patients. If the tooth is in a fairly good condition, then doctors prefer to perform a root canal procedure preserving your natural tooth. The removal of infected tissues is followed with cleaning up of the roots of the tooth and applying dental medicament to prevent the occurrence of further infections.
As long as the surrounding tissues continue to supply the roots, a fixed tooth should last a lifetime with adequate care and routine examinations.
This is a simple procedure that can be completed within two to three appointments and is typically no more uncomfortable than a dental filling. However, you need to connect with professionals early so as not to delay treatment. Sometimes, pain is not as evident so you might overlook the need for a medical checkup. However, there are other signs that you need to look out for, such as:
If you ever encounter any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your oral healthcare provider. Arch Dental has a 24/7 emergency handling unit and can attend to you whenever you need.
Right after your root canal treatment, it’s crucial to avoid eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes. This gives the temporary filling time to harden properly. Also, resist the urge to explore the treated tooth with your tongue, as this could disturb the filling and affect the healing process.
If your dental professional has prescribed any medication, be sure to take it as prescribed and to fill the prescription as soon as possible. Always take the medication as directed by the label, and consult your dentist for guidance if the pain doesn’t go away or isn’t well controlled.
Using a cold compress on the outside of your face close to the treatment area can help reduce swelling. Make sure to cover the ice pack you’re using with a cloth to prevent direct skin contact. For the first six to eight hours after the surgery, you can use the cold compress for roughly 20 minutes at a time, with 20-minute rests in between.
Be careful not to bite or chew on the side of your mouth where the root canal was done once you are eating and drinking normally again. Pretzels, hard candies, nuts, and ice cubes are examples of hard foods to stay away from as the temporary crown or filling is typically composed of a soft composite material that can break easily. It’s common for the treated tooth to experience some heightened sensitivity up until the permanent restoration is inserted. To have a permanent crown or filling placed, make an appointment with your restorative dentist as soon as possible. If you wait longer, there’s a chance that the temporary filling may break or decay may begin to appear.
The secret to a speedy recovery is maintaining the treated area clean. Unless your dentist instructs you otherwise, gently brush and floss the affected region as you normally would. It is rare, but if your temporary filling does come out, get in touch with your normal dentist right once. If this occurs after business hours, you can cover the area until you can visit your dentist by buying temporary filling material from a drugstore and following the directions.
Following a root canal, it is common to feel a little uncomfortable for the first two to four days. In certain situations, the tooth and surrounding tissue may continue to hurt for a few weeks. To ensure a smooth recovery, keep up your regular brushing and flossing routine, take any recommended medications, and adhere to any additional advice from your dentist.
Although dental procedures can be scary, root canal therapy is nothing to be scared of. With proper post operative care and timely intervention, your teeth will become better than before. The main thing to remember is to identify the signs before it is too late. Once the symptoms are noticed, you need to immediately contact your trusted dental professionals. If you are in Mackay, you will be in good hands at the Arch Dental where we don’t let anything bad happen to that beautiful smile.
