Contrary to what you may have read or heard from other people, going through a root canal procedure isn’t to cause you immeasurable pain. Instead, dental experts do it to save your tooth from further infection.
A root canal procedure is a treatment done to repair and save a tooth from further decay or infection. It’s often performed when a tooth pulp composed of tiny nerves and blood vessels gets infected or damaged. During the entire treatment, the dentist removes the pulp, cleans it off entirely, and then seals it tight so that bacteria won’t get in.
People often fear root canal because they usually imagine it to be painful. Although it’s quite reasonable after the procedure is complete, the pain shouldn’t last forever. The truth is that the pain that you’ll experience would only be mild to moderate, which is tolerable for most. Any pain beyond it may need further visits with your dentist.
Understanding the initial recovery period
In the past, root canal procedures used to be extremely painful. But over the past couple of years, dentistry has been completely modernized. Thus, dramatically improving the overall experience of various procedures.
Before the process starts, the dentist will apply a local anesthetic to the treated area to ease the pain. You might feel a slight tingling pressure during the cleaning process but wouldn’t be enough to cause you unbearable pain.
As soon as the local anesthetic starts to wear off after the procedure, there’s a chance that you might feel mild pain and increased sensitivity. Since it’s usually mild, you can take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce the pain. It’s best to ask your doctor about it before taking these medicines. Doing so ensures that it won’t interact with the prescriptions that you’re already taking.
You should also avoid chewing hard foods following the treatment, as this can induce more sensitivity and pain. Chewing on ice and using your teeth as a tool is highly discouraged.
When to seek your dentist’s help
The pain after the root canal in Upland should decrease in a matter of days. If you still feel any pain or experience any swelling, it’s best to see your doctor immediately. Most people need at least two to three sessions to ensure that the procedure is a success. Recurring pain could be a sign that there’s still an infection in your teeth. Thus, requiring you to have more cleaning sessions.
Your symptoms should start to ease up every time you take over-the-counter pain medications. If it isn’t working, then your doctor will recommend a stronger pain reliever for comfort.
Once the affected tooth is completely free of infection, the dentist may put a dental crown on top of it to seal it off. You can choose between gold, porcelain, or metal for your crown.
Good oral health care is a must to help alleviate pain after undergoing a root canal. It’s also best to visit your dentist regularly for a scheduled dental cleaning. Doing so will keep your oral health in its prime condition.
