While you may have seen root canals portrayed as comedically miserable ordeals in cartoons and movies, these depictions are far from the truth. In reality, modern root canals are safe and painless procedures that can bring an immediate end to an agonizing toothache and allow a compromised tooth to function well for many years. Here’s a brief guide to the root canal process and what you can expect while recovering afterward.
How Are Root Canals Performed?
Root canals are performed to address severe dental infections or extensive enamel damage that exposes the vulnerable pulp within a tooth to air. Your dentist will begin this process by administering a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort before accessing the interior of the tooth and removing the compromised pulp. Then, they will sanitize and fill the tooth’s inner chamber, seal the opening in the enamel, and place a dental crown upon the tooth to restore its appearance and function.
What Is Recovering After a Root Canal Like?
You may experience some lingering and temporary soreness during the days immediately following your root canal. However, this mild discomfort should be quite mild and far preferable to the persistent excruciating misery that comes with an untreated toothache. Your tooth should feel more or less back to normal in about a week, and you can reduce your discomfort while recovering in ways like:
- Refraining from chewing or drinking hot liquids until the anesthesia wears off to prevent injury
- Strictly adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions
- Sticking to a soft diet of foods like ice cream, mashed potatoes, chicken, white fish, and steamed veggies
- Avoiding foods and beverages that are sugary, acidic, spicy, or alcoholic
- Avoiding chewing on the side of the mouth that received the treatment
- Taking special care when brushing the treated tooth
- Taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications as instructed
Contact your dentist if your discomfort seems to be getting worse instead of better in the days after your root canal, as this may be a sign of continuing infection.
Once your tooth is functioning normally again, it is still important to practice excellent oral hygiene and keep up with regular dental appointments to preserve your oral health. With excellent oral care, you can keep your smile beautiful and avoid needing new root canals or retreatments.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Zhang earned his dental degree at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dentistry and hones his skills further through continuing education coursework. He has received extensive training in rotary endodontics, orthodontics, and soft tissue laser treatments. His office in Tustin offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry including root canals. To learn more about the root canal process, contact his office online or dial (714) 465-5589.