Root canals are a scary surgery. Even though their appointments are safe, simple, and routine, many patients still feel nervous. Dazzling Smiles wants you to feel at ease when you visit our office, and being as informed as possible helps to alleviate that concern.
Unfortunately, root canal therapy has a bad name. This surgery is typically associated with a great deal of pain. However, this perception needs to be more accurate.
With recent developments in dentistry and anesthetics, having a root canal feels similar to having a cavity filled. You may have mild discomfort, but it should not be unpleasant. The process is relatively short, with most root canals completed in less than 60 minutes.
But what happens after the surgery? Will you suffer any tooth pain, and if so, how much and for how long? This article responds to those (and other) questions.
You Should Expect Some Mild Pain Following Your Root Canal Treatment
It is common to feel some little pain after getting root canal therapy. Most patients experience sensitivity, tenderness, and discomfort for a few days after their surgery.
When you get a root canal, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area and reduce pain. The anesthetic takes several hours to wear off, so you will feel numb for some time following the surgery.
As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience discomfort and sensitivity.
Minor pain, stiffness, and inflammation can persist for many days. It’s normal and rather common for a variety of reasons.
Inflammation: After a root canal, the ligaments, tissue, and tiny nerves surrounding the tooth may become swollen or inflamed, resulting in discomfort and pain.
Additional Damage: Root canal therapy cleans the infection with sharp dental equipment. Sometimes this process wrongly destroys the sensitive surrounding tissue, which might take some time to heal completely.
High Temporary Filling: Your dentist will place a temporary filling after your root canal. This filling should be smooth and coordinated with the remainder of your bite. However, in some cases, the filling lies somewhat higher than the surrounding teeth, causing pain.
It’s important to remember that minimal pain is common for a few days after your surgery. It’s part of the healing process.
After the root canal site has healed, you can soon expect your tooth to be pain-free.
How To Avoid Additional Pain
Although some discomfort and sensitivity are normal, there are things you can do to worsen your pain. Following your root canal treatment plan is critical for reducing discomfort and avoiding future issues.
In the days after your treatment, you must exercise utmost caution when eating. First, do not eat or drink anything until the anesthesia has worn off and you can feel it in your mouth again.
Once the numbness has subsided, try chewing as little as possible on the unaffected side of your mouth. Limit yourself to smoothies, yogurt, and soft cereals.
Continue to chew on the side of your mouth that did not have the root canal for the next few days. Consume soft foods that are neither hot nor cold, as your gums and teeth may be more sensitive to severe temperatures. Avoid chewy, sticky, and hard foods. These can harm the treated tooth or remove the temporary filling.
It is also critical to maintain good dental hygiene to avoid infection while healing. Brush the area gently, and use mouthwash more frequently. Do not floss around the treated tooth since you may dislodge the temporary filling.
How to Manage Root Canal Pain at Home
Pain control is important in the first few days after a root canal. Your Malaysian dentist at Dazzling Smiles dental clinic will prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. If the infection had progressed beyond the tooth roots, you may have been given an antibiotic.
In most cases, over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines will enough reduce your discomfort after a root canal. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and take your prescription as advised.
Rinsing with lukewarm salt water can also help relieve discomfort and swelling. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, then rinse, swish, and spit.
It Is Not Normal to Have Severe and Prolonged Pain After 1-2 Weeks
You should not experience severe, sharp, or severe discomfort for 1-2 weeks after your root canal procedure. This is not usual. Prolonged discomfort indicates your root canal failed and the infection is still present in the tooth. You should contact Dazzling Smiles immediately.
Root canal procedures can fail for one of the following reasons:
- Your dentist missed additional cracks or damage to your teeth.
- The root of the tooth was not cleansed thoroughly.
- There was another hidden infection that was not identified and treated.
In some cases, you will need a second root canal technique. If the infection or damage is severe enough, the tooth may have to be pulled and replaced with a dental implant or bridge. Your dentist will always strive to save your natural tooth whenever possible.
Fortunately, most root canals are effective.
Visit Dazzling Smiles for your root canal in Malaysia.
There is no reason to be afraid of a root canal. These procedures are straightforward and relatively painless.
Although minor pain and sensitivity are usual in the days following your root canal, you will soon feel like yourself again.
