At Country Club Dental in Flagstaff, we’ve performed countless root canals. Root canals are routine procedures that are warranted when bacteria infect a tooth. The whole process is done in one or two visits.
We’ve spoken previously about the procedure itself, but now we’d like to answer your questions about aftercare. Root canals can be painful, but our competent, caring team is here to assuage any fears you may have. If you’re concerned about tooth pain after your root canal, read on!
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Much like wisdom teeth removals, root canals have a negative reputation—this is a common misconception. While it’s true that everyone handles pain differently, root canals are typically not as painful as people fear. Modern dental technology has made the root canal procedure only slightly more uncomfortable than a cavity filling.
During the root canal, you will be administered local anesthesia. You’ll also be sufficiently numbed, so you shouldn’t feel a thing. However, it’s normal to experience a little bit of pain after the procedure.
What to Expect After a Root Canal
The root canal process does not end when the initial procedure is finished. Once you go home, your recovery is in your own hands. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to make your aftercare go smoothly.
Numbness and Anesthesia
Because you’ll have just undergone anesthesia, you’re likely to be extra tired when you go home. Be sure to secure a ride home. Some may need to clear a day or two off of work.
After the numbness wears off, your tooth will feel tender for a day or so. Your dentist will likely prescribe pain medications for the leftover tenderness, such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. If the infection is more severe, however, your dentist may prescribe pain killers.
Swelling
You may notice some swelling as you heal. This is a normal reaction, and can be treated easily with an ice pack.
What to Eat During Your Aftercare
The numbness will last for at least a few hours, making eating difficult. Stick to soft foods while you’re healing, such as:
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Applesauce
- Ice cream or Italian ice
Tooth Pain After Root Canal
As we’ve stated, a bit of pain after a root canal is to be expected. Swelling, tenderness, and discomfort when biting down are all normal for the first few days. Within these first few days, the crown will adhere itself to the tooth, and you should be back to normal (this, of course, is assuming the crown was inserted on the same day. Once in a while, the crown will be placed at a later appointment).
Do not be alarmed by any of the above symptoms the first few days. However, if the pain begins to worsen, or if a week goes by without improvement, call us right away. It’s normal for aftercare to be a bit uncomfortable, but it should not last longer than a few days.
Your Local Flagstaff Dentist
At Country Club Dental, our patients are our priority. We understand getting a root canal isn’t anyone’s idea of fun, but we will ensure to make the whole process as quick and as comfortable as possible. Let us know if you have any more questions or concerns about root canal aftercare.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Photo by Luis Machado on Unsplash (6/4/2021)
