A root canal is a treatment that removes decay and infection from inside the tooth. It can be performed to save a decayed or broken tooth, as well as one that has become infected, but if the tooth cannot be saved, it will need to be removed. This procedure usually includes two visits to the dentist: the first for an examination and x-rays, followed by treatment of your tooth on another day.
Root canal treatments are typically painless due to local anaesthesia, but after the procedure is over recovering from it at home is very important. Therefore, dental advice regarding your recovery is key to ensure it is as speedy and as painless as possible.
1. Keep up your dental hygiene
After your root canal treatment, you must take care of your tooth and gums. You must keep the area clean and dry for about a week to allow the tooth to heal. You should not eat hot, spicy, or salty foods that can irritate your mouth during this time. It is also important to try to avoid sugar-containing foods because they encourage the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
2. Take it easy
After your treatment, you can begin eating and drinking again as you normally would. However, it is still important to avoid hard, crunchy foods until the healing process is finished. Additionally, refrain from pushing or pulling on the tooth to avoid any damage or shifting of the filling or crown.
3. Watch for infection and bleeding
If you notice that the gums around your tooth became red or swollen, or if there is a bad taste in your mouth, you are at risk for developing an infection. It is important to contact your dentist immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also call the dentist if you experience bleeding or pain in your mouth.
4. Return to your dentist for regular check-ups
During the healing process, you must visit your dentist for regular check-ups. You should not wait until the pain is unbearable but instead schedule a visit every month in order to make sure that the treatment has worked. Your dentist will be able to tell if there is a problem, such as swelling or tenderness, which requires additional treatments.
You can recover from root canal treatments if you follow these steps to keep your tooth and mouth healthy and avoid additional damage.
Share4 March 2021
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
