A root canal treatment is a suitable option for extracting a decayed, infected or broken tooth. The treatment alleviates pain from pulp inflammation, tooth infection and dental caries while salvaging the tooth and preserving your oral aesthetics. However, the procedure is quite intensive as it involves cleaning out the pulp tissue and the decayed nerve tissue, sterilizing the root canals and sealing the tooth. The whole procedure can take two or three appointments depending on dentist's recommendation. You may feel a little discomfort after the treatment, but the following tips will help you achieve a quick recovery.
Take your prescription meds
Your dentist will prescribe some medication to help you manage the little discomfort after the treatment. However, not all the drugs are painkillers; some may be antibiotics aimed at preventing or fighting off an infection. Failure to take these drugs can cause a tooth infection that will result in excruciating pain. Make sure that you take all the meds as prescribed by the dentist. Also, pay attention to the pain levels. Consult the dentist immediately if you experience any unusual pain as it could be a sign of an infection or another problem with the treatment.
Don't put pressure on the tooth
After a root canal treatment, your tooth may feel a little sore. Putting pressure on it will only aggravate the situation and cause more pain. Avoid putting pressure on the teeth, especially through teeth grinding, jaw clenching and chewing on hard foods. If you suffer from bruxism, consider wearing a mouth guard at night to keep your teeth apart. Also, stay away from hard foods for a few days after getting the root canal treatment to prevent pain. Some hard foods can also cause the tooth to crack as it is already weak after treatment.
Consider getting a crown
A root canal treatment can weaken a tooth and increase its chances of breaking in the future. Also, if the sealant wears out due to incorrect use of the teeth, you can suffer from infection if bacteria invade the tooth. Putting a crown over the tooth is an excellent way of protecting it and improving its functionality. What's more, a crown prevents bacteria from invading the treated tooth and causing problems down the road. The dentist will take impressions of your tooth and design a crown that correctly fits over the treated tooth. Since the crown has the same colour as your teeth, no one will know that you have a dental restoration.
Follow these tips to achieve a pain-free recovery and preserve the strength and functionality of your tooth after a root canal treatment.
