Finding out that you may require a root canal is not news that anyone is ever excited to hear. Receiving news like this may have you wondering what a root canal entails and what the recovery time will be. Maintaining good oral health is not only important for your teeth but your overall general health.
The key to a successful recovery is proper self-care root canal post-treatment advice.
· Eat softer foods
· Limit physical exertion
· Maintain proper oral hygiene
· Place crown ASAP
· Use pain medication when needed
These and other things can be done to ensure your mouth heals properly and the treatment is a success.
To learn more about root canal treatments and how to properly care for yourself or your loved one afterward continue reading.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Oftentimes when a person hears that they may be needing a root canal their initial response will be a fearful one. Over the years root canal treatment has gained a bad reputation due to the pain and cost associated with them.
Thankfully, with advancements in
endodontics glenview, these procedures have become much more tolerable and with the right aftercare, they can have you back on your feet and eating the things you love again in no time.
So what exactly is a root canal? Understanding the procedure can relieve a lot of the fear that is associated with it.
In simple terms, a root canal treatment also known as
endodontic treatment is a procedure where a
Glenview Dentist essentially scoops and cleans out the rotted pulp inside of the tooth.
Pulp is the internal parts of the tooth that help to keep it alive and is made up of:
· Blood vessels
· Connective tissues
· Nerves
Essentially the
Dentist Glenview will clean out the necrotic pulp pain relief and sever its connection to the other healthy gums and teeth in your mouth. If this is not done the bacteria and infection can spread to the rest of your gums and teeth. When this happens you are putting yourself at risk for:
· Cavities
· Cracked and sensitive teeth
· Gingivitis
· Periodontitis
Other serious health problems can be associated with poor oral care such as:
· Diabetes
· Heart disease
· Osteoporosis
· Pregnancy issues
Your other teeth can survive and remain healthy even when the pulp has been extracted from a rotting neighbor.
Once the tooth has been thoroughly cleaned and the treatment is completed you will have a period of time to heal before returning to fill in the tooth and place the new crown so you can enjoy your favorite foods again without pain.
Now that you understand the process you are ready to learn how to properly care for yourself once the treatment is completed by reading the next section.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Root Canal Recovery On Track
As with any medical procedure, proper aftercare is one of the most important aspects on which to focus. You can have the best medical professional in the world, but if you don’t follow their post-treatment instructions it will be a waste of time. Here we will discuss the five major things you need to do to keep your recovery on track.
Don’t Bear the Pain – Use Meds When Needed
Generally, you can relieve any pain or discomfort from the treatment with over-the-counter pain medication. In some more severe cases, your dentist may prescribe something a little stronger. Don’t be afraid to use your pain medication if you need it. There is no sense in being in pain if you don’t have to be and the tension from being in pain can slow the healing process.
Maintain Routine Oral Hygiene Care
Keeping your mouth clean is especially important after you have had an oral procedure. So even though your mouth may be sore you need to continue with your daily oral hygiene routine of:
· Brushing your teeth at least two times daily
· Flossing daily
· Use antibacterial mouthwash
Slow Your Roll – Reduce Your Physical Activity
After you have had your
root canal glenview it is recommended that you suspend extra physical activity for that causes you to strain or greatly increases your heart rate as it can cause you to bleed or have unnecessary pain.
It is important to pay attention to your body and how you are feeling after having a
root canal treatment. Be sure to keep an eye out for:
· Excessive pain that is not relieved by medication
· Rash or hives
· Swelling that lasts longer than a day
If you have any of these symptoms contact your dentist right away to see what they
Recommend for you to do.
Watch What You Eat and Don’t Bite Through Your Cheek
When you first get home from your root canal treatment it is possible that you may be hungry. It is important to resist the urge to scarf down the first thing you come across until the numbness fades.
It is very common for people to bite through their cheeks or tongue because they cannot feel it and then there is a whole new issue to contend with.
Once the numbness has dissipated you may eat but be sure to be careful with your selection. Stick to soft foods that are a little on the bland side to prevent injuring or irritating the treatment site.
Some foods that are acceptable to eat following a root canal treatment are:
· Eggs
· Mashed potatoes
· Oatmeal
· Pasta
· Soups
Get Your Crown Before It’s Too Late
Lastly, it is imperative that you have your crown placed as soon as humanly possible after the procedure. That is why it is so important for you to take good care of your mouth after the treatment.
Proper Self-Care Post Treatment Ensures Winning Results
Now that you know what a root canal treatment is and how to properly care for yourself afterward you can
set up an appointment to get your oral health back on track. If you require dental care consider the world-class professionals at
Glenlake Dental Care in Glenview, Illinois, call Glenview Dentistry at
(847) 892-4696 or
Contact us here.
