Did you know that nearly 57% of American adults would rather spend an hour locked up in a room with ten spiders that get a root canal? A root canal is a huge procedure, so pain after this vital procedure is normal. Usually, a root canal involves deep cleaning inside the innermost chamber of your tooth, and this usually irritates the surrounding gums as well as nerves.
Getting and subsequently recovering from a root canal might seem like a daunting task, but there are a few practical and effective steps you can take to make it a stress-free experience.
The root canal plays a crucial role in the appearance of your teeth. What’s more, they guarantee optimal health. To ensure you get the most of your root canal experience, there are a few essential root canal recovery tips you must keep at your fingertips. So, peruse the article and get to know.
So, what is a root canal?
A root canal is simply a dental procedure intended toward eliminating bacteria in an infected tooth. This procedure prevents reinfection and can be a great way to save that particular infected tooth.
A root canal procedure entails the removal of either the infected or inflamed pulp of the tooth. And once this is done, the inner part of the tooth is immediately thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. After this, the tooth is filled and sealed.
Common signs that might suggest you require a root canal treatment:
There are a few tale-tell signs that might indicate you need this type of treatment, including:
- Severe pain when chewing or biting.
- The growth of pimples on your gums.
- The presence of a cracked or chipped tooth.
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures for your tooth.
So, how can one recover from a root dental canal?
Although a root canal treatment might not be something you are looking to undergo any time soon, it is imperative that to note it is an important procedure that can save your tooth. Most importantly, it is vital that you equip yourself with some tips to help you recover faster from this type of dental procedure.
Manage your teeth:
After undergoing the procedure, it is highly recommended that you pay close attention to how your body feels. And while you’ll inevitably experience some pain and swelling after your root canal treatment, thankfully, there are ways to manage the two.
First and foremost, you’ll need to wait until your mouth is no longer to eat anything. If you didn’t know, eating while your mouth is still numb can easily result in you accidentally biting and seriously injuring either your tongue or your mouth’s inner parts.
One great way to manage pain after the procedure is to use an ice pack. What’s more, it is highly recommended that you keep your head elevated while sleeping so that you don’t irritate your mouth after the surgery.
You also need to have a meal plan for the first few days after your procedure. A great idea would be to find meals that only need minimal chewing but still fulfill your body’s nutritional requirements. In this regard, mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies can be great options because they will take care of your hunger without causing any irritation to your mouth.
Don’t work out:
If you want to live a healthy life, you must integrate exercise into your lifestyle. However, you should stay away from exercise for a few days after undergoing a root canal treatment. It will allow your body the time it needs to fully recover after the procedure.
In this regard, you should take at least 48 hours off from any workout after your root canal. Also, don’t forget to ask your dentist for his/her approval of when your body will be ready for exercise again.
If you work out too soon after your root canal, you will likely experience bleeding and pain in your mouth. It is worth noting that your recovery period is mainly intended to allow your body to heal itself, so this implies you must give your body ample time to heal properly.
And when you feel you are ready to work out again, ease your way back into it. Engage in exercises that are ideal for those recovering from surgery. These activities will help you reap the benefits of a workout without straining your body. Walking around your home can be a great way to start.
Get adequate rest:
Getting adequate rest is crucial to having a strong and quick recovery from a root canal. And this simply means getting enough sleep to ensure you rejuvenate your health. If your root canal treatment occurs during your workweek, it is recommended that take a few days off to rest. This will help you recover much faster and resume your normal daily routine.
One proven technique to recover from a root canal quickly is to stay off your feet and get as much rest as possible. And this is particularly true if you are on pain-relief medication.
Know how you feel:
It is pretty common knowledge that you will never feel the same after your root canal procedure. You should know how your body feels as well as what’s it’s trying to tell you in your recovery phase.
Generally, the pain and swelling will begin to subside after a few days of recovery. And if you still experience any pain, it is likely that there are complications that you will need to get examined by your doctor for potential infection.
If you experience swelling that persists for more than a day, you should contact your dentist as well. What’s more, if you begin having any rashes or hives, you must inform your dentist as well. And if your doctor isn’t available, don’t hesitate to contact an emergency dental service for immediate assistance.
Schedule for a root canal as early as today!
Even though root canals can sometimes prove to be an intimidating experience, they are hugely important for a healthy mouth, preventing your teeth from suffering irreversible damage. After undergoing a successful root canal treatment, some fantastic tips should guide you toward having a successful and hitch-free recovery process.
As already explained, stay away from any food that requires extensive chewing and also don’t engage in any form of exercise for a couple of days. Allow your body to get adequate rest so that it can recover much quicker. Also, listen to your body and take note of what it tells you!
If you are looking for a dentist, HPS Advanced Dental Care would love to see you. Dr. Heather is gladly accepting new patients.
We are located at 4741 24 Mile Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48316, and we can be reached at (248) 652-0024. We look forward to meeting you!