Root canals have a bad reputation of being painful, but modern dentistry has allowed for this process to be as easy and comfortable as possible. In fact, patients should look at root canals positively because this treatment can save their teeth from extraction. Your dentist has made receiving a root canal in Worthington simple, but patients often wonder what the recovery will be like. Keep reading to learn how long it takes to recover from a root canal and what you can do to make the process go smoothly.
Is Pain After a Root Canal Normal?
Most patients will feel a slight discomfort in or around the affected area, typically characterized by sensitivity or tenderness. Here are some common reasons for this soreness:
- Swollen or inflamed tissue: Even though your dentist has removed the infected or damaged nerve root from the tooth, there are still tiny nerves in the ligaments and tissue surrounding your teeth. This area can often become inflamed after the procedure, which can cause some discomfort.
- Instrument damage: There is a slight possibility that the dental instrument used in the procedure inadvertently damaged some of your surrounding tissue.
- High temporary filling: When you receive a temporary filling, your dentist will file it down to make it smooth and allow it to blend in with the rest of your smile. If this filling is even just a slight bit higher than the rest of your teeth, it can cause soreness and discomfort.
How Long Will It Take to Recover?
In most cases, the discomfort and sensitivity that you feel after a root canal procedure will go away after a few days. However, if your soreness doesn’t get better after a couple days, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. While unlikely, it’s possible that you still have damaged or infected tissue.
How Can I Help My Recovery?
While recovery is swift, there are some steps you can take to make it easier on yourself. Avoid chewing or brushing and flossing on the side of the affected area, and you can also take over-the-counter pain medication when needed. Additionally, it’s important to give yourself at least a day of rest. Whether this means receiving a root canal on a Friday or working from home, your recovery will be quicker if you can take it easy for at least a day. Lastly, it’s important to avoid using straws or spitting forcefully because it could loosen a crown or hurt your recovery.
Now that you know more about recovering from a root canal, you can rest assured that your treatment will be comfortable with little to almost no pain afterwards!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Randall Nameth has decades of experience, which allows him to provide consistent, quality, and comfortable root canals for his patients. He currently runs his own practice, and he can be contacted through his website or by phone at (614) 846-2222 for any questions.