You just had that dreaded, but very necessary, root canal. What do you do now?
Pain and discomfort is common after a root canal and will eventually subside. If desired, it can be treated with over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen. The medicine will alleviate swelling and sensitivity. Discuss this with your dentist and doctor to find out which medication is right for you.
It is wise to minimize chewing on this tooth until the entire procedure is completely finished. This will decrease the chances of the same tooth getting contaminated again or breaking from fragility. Brushing and flossing your teeth as you normally would will prevent bacteria from building up inside your mouth and within your teeth. Routine dental checkups are important for the maintenance of your teeth post-procedure.
Sleeping with your head elevated for the first few nights will take away from unnecessary pressure on your tooth. Eating soft foods for the first few days is advised, avoiding extremely hot or cold temperatures. Your dentist may put you on an antibiotic regimen that you must follow to ensure the recovery of your tooth.
Smoking should be eliminated for at least the first 24 hours and then cut down afterwards because it can slow down the healing process. Avoid alcoholic beverages and strenuous exercise until you are completely healed. By following these safety precautions, you have a better chance of adequately healing and maybe even forgetting you had a root canal to begin with.
