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Everything you Need to Know About Root Canal Treatment
Going for a root canal treatment can be an ideal solution for you when you have severe tooth decay with the cavity reaching the tooth pulp. It is widely believed to be a painful dental procedure but this is not so. With the right dentist near me and technique in the perfect environment, you are definitely going to get a relatively pain-free experience.
Something close to the pain that may be felt during a root canal treatment is the discharge of the anesthetic which will be administered to you at the initial stage of your treatment. Apart from that, you won’t feel any pain except vibration as well as pressure during the root canal procedure as the dentist works on your tooth.
Root canal treatment is a dental process that is not complicated. After the administration of the anesthetic, your emergency dentist will drill a hole so that easy access will be gained to the chamber of your pulp. The nerves and pulp within the tooth will then be taken off with the aid of an array of files. As soon as this is completed, the created hole on top of your tooth will be sealed before a protective crown or any other restoration is applied.
In order to have a successful root canal treatment, there are things you need to do before and after the procedure. Having the proper knowledge of these things will get you equipped for a successful procedure.
What To Do Before The Root Canal Procedure
Before your root canal therapy, you need to take some major steps which will assist you in getting highly recommended from the treatment. Some of these steps are discussed below.
Talk To Your Dentist About Antibiotics
Infections are very detrimental to dental procedures and they contribute to pain that may be experienced. You should endeavor to speak with your dentist if there is an infected tooth before your root canal treatment. This will enable the infection to be fixed, especially with antibiotics so that you won’t feel so much pain during the process and your healing period will not be too long unnecessarily.
Use Painkillers Before The Procedure
If there is a need for you to take OTC painkillers before the procedure, you should not hesitate to take them so that inflammation around your tooth will be reduced. You can take this medication some hours before going to the dentist’s office near me.
Stay Away From Alcohol
Twenty-four hours before your treatment, you should try as much as possible to avoid the consumption of alcohol. This is very essential so that you will prevent mouth-drying which can make your treatment to be more complicated. In addition, consumption of alcohol may extend your recovery period beyond what it should normally be.
Can You Smoke After A Root Canal?
Despite the fact that smoking is generally dangerous to your health, it will slow down the healing process of your root canal. As a result of this, it is advisable to quit smoking absolutely or about two weeks before your treatment. you should not smoke after a root canal for several reasons. First, the procedure itself can be very sensitive and smoking can irritate the area. Additionally, smoking can slow down the healing process and increase the risk of infection. So it’s best to avoid smoking altogether after a root canal.
Eat Some Hours Before The Procedure
Since an anesthetic will be used to numb the mouth before the procedure, it may not be possible for you to eat few hours after the treatment. As a result of this, you should endeavor to eat some hours before the process so that you will have enough nutrients in your body to begin the healing process.
Ask Questions
You can’t ask too many questions at your dentist’s office. It is very important for you to ask all the necessary questions which will assist you in getting a broader picture of the procedure. Your dentist will be well-prepared to entertain your questions and give you all the necessary clarifications.
What To Do After The Procedure
Following your root canal procedure, there are some things you need to do which will aid your recovery. So that you will be able to get highly recommended results. Some of these things are discussed below.
Take Your Prescription As Directed By Your Dentist
It is very important for you to follow your dentist’s instructions. Especially as regards medications. You should not fail to use your drugs, particularly antibiotics, in accordance with the prescription of your dentist. You wouldn’t want your root canal to be infected. As this can defeat your major purpose of going through the treatment.
Pay Attention To Your Pain Levels
Usually, your post-treatment pain can be fixed with OTC drugs. And the pain should be for a short time. If you are experiencing prolonged pain, you should not hesitate to see your dentist. So that an ideal solution will be found to the problem.
Keep The Area Clean
You should endeavor to keep the gums and tooth where the procedure has taken place clean. This can be achieved through regular brushing as well as flossing. And mouth rinsing should be carried out gently.
Do Not Put Too Much Pressure On Your Treated Tooth
After your treatment, your tooth will be tender. Hence, you should avoid putting extra pressure on it at this period through clenching and grinding of your jaw. You can get a mouth guard which will go a long way in keeping your teeth separated at night when you are sleeping. You can also avoid chewing on the side where your root canal was performed.
Stay Away From Certain Foods
For some time after your treatment, you should avoid crunchy, chewy, or hard foods. So that you don’t put too much pressure on the treatment site. You may also need to stay away from excessively hot or cold foods or drinks. Because your tooth may be sensitive at this period.
Rest Properly
Proper rest will encourage healing so that you will be able to get back to your usual activities. Sleep is also very vital in the recovery process. Because natural healing takes place when you sleep. As a result of this, you should sleep properly after your root canal treatment. And you will be helping to reduce your recovery period.