A root canal is one of the most common dental treatments. It is often the main line of defense against many dental emergencies. Surveys suggest that around 15 million people get root canals each year. It is a very smooth process and doesn’t hurt at all. 89% of the people are happy with their treatments. Most of the inconveniences occur during the root canal recovery time.
You must take some root canal aftercare precautions to ensure that your recovery is quick and proper. Otherwise, you may have to visit the dentist for further treatment. It is astonishing to see that even though it is such a common dental practice but many people have so many misconceptions about it. We are here today to give a straight rundown of complete aftercare and precautions for root canal patients.
What to Expect After a Root Canal
First, ensure that you have at least an hour for the treatment. The length of your dental appointment depends on the severity of your case, and be ready for a follow-up appointment. It will be compulsory for your dentist to observe the aftermath of your treatment. After your procedure, you will experience temperature sensitivity, mild pain, swelling on the side of the jaw (on the side of the recovering tooth), and occasional bleeding. These are all normal and nothing to worry about.
You may also experience uneven bytes due to the swelling, but this only happens in severe cases. The dentist will prescribe you pain and swelling relief medicine to deal with these post root canal symptoms. If your symptoms are persistent and unbearable, then don’t panic. Contact us as soon as possible for general dentistry advice. We will suggest you the right course of action for your particular case.
Time Period for Root Canal Recovery
On average, a root canal recovery will take up to a week. Sometimes may be more or less. Recovery depends on factors like the severity of your dental emergency, care after the procedure, and dietary habits. Children often take less time to recover as their cases are less severe than adults. Your age can significantly impact your root canal recovery period, but with age also comes a higher tolerance, so you will be fine.
If you need to resume work the next day, you can do so if you were given local anesthesia during the procedure. However, we recommend children take leave from school until they recover because they could get hurt during their playtime. On the other hand, if you were given sedation during the procedure, you will need to take a day off from work.
Root Canal Aftercare and Precautions
To make a quick and proper recovery from the root canal, you need to be mindful of these root canal aftercare precautions.
- Don’t drive until the effects of your anesthesia are gone. If you choose sedation, don’t drive for the rest of the day.
- Don’t chew from the side of the recovering tooth.
- Stick to softer foods that require less chewing, like pasta and noodles.
- Don’t eat anything sweet, too hot, or too cold until your dentist says otherwise.
Conclusion
Root canal recovery time is roughly a week. If you make sure to take care of the necessary precautions, you will recover quickly. If you have questions about root canal aftercare, contact the Spring Branch Dental Group on the following number (832 548 1533). Our professionals are available to be at your service 24/7.