Do’s and Don’ts of Root Canal Post Treatment Care with Recovery Tips

While root canal treatment can save your natural tooth, hence relieving you from tooth pain, good after-care will make all the difference between a smooth recovery or complications that may even affect the long-term success of the treatment. Here is a detailed view about post-root canal treatment care in terms of some do’s and don’ts, complemented with some tips for better recovery.

Do’s:

• Dentist’s Instructions: Your dentist will have some instructions for you to follow post-treatment. Follow them to the letter. It may include the use of prescribed medications, oral hygiene, and probably some dietary restrictions.
• Prescribed Medication: If there is an infection or some sort of discomfort, your dentist will prescribe certain antibiotics or painkillers. Use them as directed, and it will keep all those issues at bay.
• Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss gently but thoroughly. For a few days following treatment avoid the treated area and resume a normal oral hygiene routine. Promote healing by gently rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
• Soft Foods: For a few days after your treatment, follow a soft diet. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that will irritate the treated tooth.
• Follow-up Appointments: After treatment, schedule and attend follow-up appointments with the dentist. They will be able to follow up on your case and make sure everything is self-healing.

Don’ts:

• Don’t Chew on the Treated Tooth: Avoid chewing or biting directly onto the treated tooth until such time that it is fully restored. This keeps damage or dislodging of temporary fillings or crowns from occurring.
• Avoid Extremely Hot or Extremely Cold Food: Immediately after a root canal, for example, the sensitivity may be termed normal. It is always advisable to avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks as this may heighten discomfort.
• Don’t Stop Oral Care: While at this point the area might be a little sensitive, don’t stop caring for your teeth and mouth. Poor oral hygiene leads to complications.
• Avoid Strenuous Activities: For the first couple of days after the treatment, avoid indulging yourself in strenuous activities. Just rest and let your body recover sans stress and fatigue.
• D Citation of Follow-up Visits: Follow-ups are important to be attended to regularly. Negligence will directly affect your dentist in keeping track and attending to your needs accordingly.

Recovery Instructions

• Manage Discomfort: Light sensitivity and soreness after procedure are managed by reaching for over-the-counter pain relievers. Do not go beyond the prescribed dosage limit.
• Hydrate: Ample amount of water heals it and keeps your mouth moist.
• Take It Easy:  Give your mouth a little break. Avoid activities that will burden the treated tooth.
• Be Patient: It is normal to have sensitivity or mild discomfort for a few days, but if the pain and swelling or any unusual symptom persists, then call your dentist as soon as possible.

The recovery experiences may vary from person to person. Whatever concern or question one may have in the post-operative state, one should not hesitate to ask from his dentist.

Root canal therapy helps a great deal in oral health and pain of the mouth. The above-mentioned ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, along with the recovery tips, may help a lot in recovering smoothly and fruitfully after a root canal procedure.