Root canal therapy is one of the most popular dental procedures worldwide, with about 15 million procedures taking place across America every year. This procedure becomes necessary when the infection or inflammation gets into the soft tissue (commonly referred to as pulp) inside and outside the teeth.
Through this procedure, the dentist carefully removes the damaged tissue, cleans the inner parts of the affected teeth’ roots, and seals the impacted teeth so that no bacteria can enter. But how long will it take to recover from the root canal? In this article, we will answer this question and discuss other important aspects of root canal treatment.
What to Expect After Root Canal Procedure
For several days after the root canal procedure, expect the affected teeth to be sensitive. This sensitivity is mainly due to the inflammation of the natural tissue during the procedure. The level of sensitivity and discomfort increases if the tooth was already painful or infected before the procedure.
Nevertheless, this type of discomfort and sensitivity can easily be managed with the right over-the-counter drugs. If everything goes well, you should be able to return to your normal activities within a day or two. Essentially, the time it takes to recover from a root canal is determined by the success of the procedure and your ability to follow your doctor’s recovery guidelines to the letter.
In the past, people were afraid to go for a root canal because it was extremely painful. But today, dentists have discovered different pain-relieving methods that help to minimize pain during and after the procedure.
Important Root Canal Recovery Tips
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Although you shouldn’t brush or floss your teeth immediately after the root canal procedure, it is crucial to keep your mouth clean using alternative mouth washing methods such as antiseptic mouthwash. You should also avoid taking sugary foods and drinks until your teeth have fully recovered.
Avoid Heavy Exercises
Even though exercises are necessary, you should take it slow for a few days after the root canal procedure to give your mouth time to heal. Exercising immediately after the procedure can cause excess bleeding and pain. Take some time off to rest and sleep so that your body can recover quickly.
Avoid Hard Foods
A few days after the root canal procedure, do not chew hard foods or bite on hard objects. Doing so will induce more pain and discomfort. It can also cause excess bleeding.
