Finding A Great Dentist

Planning For A Speedy Root Canal Recovery: 4 Proactive Care Tips

6 February 2019

Kenzi Thompson

Hearing your dentist say that you need a root canal is never welcome news. However, it is important to remember that this type of dental procedure can be very beneficial in relieving pain and helping prevent the loss of your natural tooth. Like most modern dental procedures, the actual root canal procedure can be done under sedatives or anesthetics to help you remain comfortable. Because of this, most patients are far more concerned about the potential for pain or discomfort after the surgery. Luckily, it is usually possible to avoid experiencing these problems by using a few proactive care tips. 

Plan ahead for special meals 

Your dentist will caution you to try and avoid chewing with the tooth that has just undergone a root canal procedure. A good way to avoid using it when eating is to stock your fridge and freezer with meals and snacks that soft and easy to swallow.  Soups, stews, and casseroles are all good choices to consider, as well as scrambled eggs and mashed potatoes. Soft fruits, like bananas, mangoes, and plums are good choices for a quick snack. 

In addition to eating soft foods, dental patients should strive to avoid biting down on the healing tooth to avoid pain and possible damage to the temporary filling material. 

Stop or cut back on tobacco use

If you smoke or use other tobacco products, stopping or at least reducing the amount you use will help your tooth heal more quickly. Smokers and tobacco users tend to have lower levels of oxygen in their blood than non-smokers. Since oxygen-rich blood is known to help wounds heal faster, opting to stop smoking, at least until you heal from the root canal, is a proactive step toward faster recovery.

Use the medications the dentist prescribes 

Staying comfortable after your root canal is a key factor in enjoying a good recovery process. A good way to accomplish this is to make sure that you are taking all medications prescribed by your dentist on a strict schedule, including antibiotics to prevent infection and medication for pain. When pain is kept under control in this manner, dental patients enjoy less stress and discomfort when performing necessary actions, including eating meals, and brushing and flossing their teeth. 

Stay in touch with your dentist

Dental patients who are recovering from a root canal should be alert for any signs that their tooth may have become infected, as well as evidence of prolonged bleeding or other signs of discomfort. Contacting your dentist at the first sign of a possible problem will help prevent serous issues and make sure your tooth heals completely. 

For more information about the root canal procedure, talk to your dentist.

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