How to Recover Faster from Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatments are relatively common in the US, and the American Association of Endodontists confirm they perform over 40,000 root canals every day. The number might appear surprising because it proves that 15 million people are undergoing root canals out of a population of 330 million in the country every year.

Although root canals have a fearsome reputation, most procedures are successful, and only a minor percentage of patients develop complications or experience severe discomfort, especially when the treatment is performed by the endodontist in Anchorage. However, how you care for your mouth after the root canal procedure impacts the ease of your recovery.

If you want to recover faster from this tooth-saving procedure, here are some essential steps you must follow to help speed recovery after root canal treatment.

Plan for Your Recovery

Your body needs rest to optimize your recovery after any surgical procedure. The Anchorage dentist recommends you take it easy for the remainder of the day and night on the day of your procedure. You must plan to relax for at least 24 hours after your root canal. Every patient recovers differently from any surgical procedure, but the chances are high that you might return to your regular activity the day after root canal therapy.

However, do not rely on your feelings because if you wake up feeling uneasy, you might benefit by having a restful day instead of jumping into your regular and normal strenuous activities.

Take Pain Relievers As Recommended

After undergoing a root canal in Anchorage, AK, it doesn’t make sense to endure pain unnecessarily unless you have medical reasons not to use pain relievers as recommended by the endodontist. Instead, the specialist recommends effective painkillers to treat significant levels of pain. When you reduce the pain signals to your brain, you receive help to avoid touching the area with your tongue or confront challenges resting. In addition, the reduction in pain levels supports your efforts to recover faster.

You can rinse your mouth with warm salt water the day after your root canal. Saltwater has a cleansing and soothing effect that reduces soreness and promotes healing while helping prevent bacteria from infecting your mouth.

Choose Food Carefully

You receive instructions from the endodontist not to eat anything for at least four to six hours after the procedure to ensure you don’t bite your cheeks or tongue until the anesthesia wears off. Not eating for the time specified also allows the temporary filling time to settle and seal the access hole created by the endodontist to expose the dental pulp.

It helps you think that your is injured or bruised when you eat and use the opposite side of the mouth to chew foods to keep the root canal site safe. You must also eat slowly and mindfully for at least a few days after root canal therapy.

Avoid Inflammation

Think of the treated tooth as one bruised or injured and expect some inflammation to occur because of the procedure. Therefore, it is essential not to indulge in activities that might increase inflammation. Some actions that can irritate the treated tooth are smoking, clenching, sucking hard candies, biting hard and crunchy foods, and pushing on or against the treated tooth.

You find it comfortable to reduce inflammation by taking the medications recommended by the specialist without skipping doses. In addition, you can use an ice pack on your cheeks to reduce swelling, remembering not to use it for over 15 minutes because using it for extended periods can cause tissue damage. You can also keep your head in an elevated position to prevent blood from rushing to the surgical site to trigger inflammation.

Root Canals Preserve Your Tooth from Extraction

Root canal treatment performed by an experienced endodontist helps you preserve a tooth from extraction and remain free from the concerns and inconvenience of getting dental implants or other replacement solutions. The success rate for root canals is relatively high and delivers long-lasting results after you recover. You just need to ensure you have the tooth restored with a dental crown after your recovery to provide the treated tooth with the strength and functionality it needs.

Undergoing root canal treatment from Anchorage Dental Arts is highly recommended over tooth extractions if you have dental pulp infections leaving you with an excruciating toothache in a specific tooth. Please contact this practice for an appointment today to find relief from the toothache affecting you.