Root canal therapy gives off a powerful impression of being scary and dangerous. However, if the dentist recommends you to undergo a root canal therapy, don’t fret, as this procedure is relatively safe and is vitally essential in treating the teeth that have been severely damaged or infected.
Root canal therapy is necessary in order to repair and save a tooth that has been badly decayed or infected. This procedure is performed when the pulp, which is composed of nerves and blood vessels in the tooth becomes infected or damaged. During a root canal therapy, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed.
Following root canal therapy, proper oral care must be observed to prevent further damage to the teeth, allowing the treated teeth to heal faster. Below are the following tips that must be followed to speed up recovery and avoid any complications:
Elevate the head when sleeping and don’t eat for a few hours after the procedure
Right after the procedure, there may be some swelling and pain around the treated tooth. In order to minimize the pain, try to elevate the head when sleeping during the first few days. Also, make sure that you should not eat right away after the procedure until the numbness goes away.
Take pain medication
When the anesthetic from the procedure subsides, you may experience pain and discomfort in the jaw and gums, which can be managed by taking over-the-counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory pain medication.
Gargle salt warm water
After treating the affected tooth with root canal therapy, the gums surrounding the treated tooth is susceptible to infection. When this happens, considerable pain may be experienced. To prevent it from happening, rinsing the mouth regularly with warm, slightly salty warm water is highly encouraged in keeping the mouth clean and ward off infection.
Avoid any strenuous activities for a few days
Take time off for the first few days. Do not engage in any strenuous physical activities for at least 48 hours. This means that running, hiking, playing sports, or physical labor should be avoided in order to get plenty of rest.
Avoid anything that can cause inflammation
While recovering after undergoing a root canal therapy, it is best to avoid certain habits and foods that are known to inflame the gums and can cause pain and swelling that could hinder your recovery. The foods and practices you should avoid are the following: smoking, drinking alcohol or hot beverages, drinking using a straw, biting, or eating hard foods and foods that require sucking.
Aiming to save your teeth from extraction? Contact us to know about Root Canal Therapy in Boyertown, PA, or to schedule your appointment with Bear Valley Dental Care! You can visit us at 137 Montgomery Ave, Suite 200, Boyertown, PA 19512.