A Comprehensive Guide To Root Canal Aftercare | Dental Procedures, Wichita, KS

In the immediate hours following your root canal, your mouth will still experience numbness from the dental procedure. During this time, it’s important to avoid eating foods that require chewing or drinking anything hot. If you choose to do so, you may run the risk of biting down too hard on the tooth or burning your mouth without fully feeling it. Over the course of your recovery and throughout the next few days, you will want to eat softer foods, avoid warm drinks altogether, and try to chew on the side of your mouth that wasn’t treated to prevent unnecessary pain or further complications.

One of the most common misconceptions about root canals is that they are among the most painful procedures you will experience at the dentist’s office. With today’s continuous dental care advancements, the likelihood of experiencing excruciating pain is relatively low, with the largest risk of pain emerging from an infected tooth. Once your root canal is completed, you will no longer be able to feel any sensation in the affected area, such as pain or tooth sensitivity, but you will still want to ensure you are cleaning the area properly. Because your tooth is still susceptible to bacteria, acids, and foods, our team at Cambridge Family Dentistry recommends brushing around the tooth twice daily and following up with thorough flossing, paying close attention along the gumlines, where plaque accumulation is heaviest.

A common side effect of root canals is soreness along the gums or oral tissues where the initial anesthesia was injected. While some lingering tenderness is normal, you can manage this sensitivity and alleviate any swelling by performing a salt water rinse. Simply mix a teaspoon of table salt with eight ounces of warm water and gently swish it around your mouth until the solution is gone. You can repeat this as needed throughout the day, in addition to taking an anti-inflammatory pain reliever like Ibuprofen.