Guiding You Through a Comfortable Root Canal Therapy Recovery

Root canal infections affect the pulp of a tooth, where its sensitive nerves and tissues reside. Root canal infections may cause symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and pus-filled abscesses. Root canal therapy treats infections and restores the health and function of the affected tooth.

People frequently worry about root canal therapy and the recovery process. Despite its bad reputation, root canal therapy is safe, effective, and virtually pain-free. With proper care, root canal therapy recovery should be easy. Dr. Byron Nordhus, whose dental practice serves Wichita, KS, and West Wichita, KS, guides patients through a comfortable root canal therapy recovery so they can enjoy a healthy and fully-functional smile.

Managing Pain and Inflammation

Root canal therapy cleans a tooth down to the canals of its root system. Deep cleaning like this frequently results in minor to moderate oral pain and inflammation of the gum tissues. The jaw may also feel sore from the mouth being held open so long for treatment. These side effects are expected and usually only last two to three days. Although root canal therapy recovery is short, we do not want patients to suffer as they heal.

We recommend several tips for managing pain and inflammation after root canal therapy:

• Take prescribed pain medication (or over-the-counter pain medication) as directed
• Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the outer cheek near the treatment site
• Rinse the mouth with warm salt water several times a day
• Elevate the head slightly while resting or sleeping

Adjusting Your Diet

Adjusting your diet is a good idea after root canal therapy. Most importantly, our Wichita patients should not eat until the anesthesia wears off and the mouth is not numb. Biting while the mouth is numb could result in biting the tongue or cheeks.

Once a patient regains feeling, we recommend eating soft foods that don’t irritate the teeth. Soup, smoothies, yogurt, and mashed potatoes are good options until discomfort and inflammation subside.

Getting Plenty of Rest

Patients may feel tired or worn down after root canal therapy. The body needs time to heal, and rest is vital to root canal therapy recovery. Patients should stay off their feet as much as possible and aim for eight hours of sleep each night. We suggest refraining from exercise for the first few days of recovery.

Monitoring Side Effects

Some side effects are natural during root canal therapy recovery, but some may indicate complications. Monitoring side effects gives patients an idea of how their recovery is progressing. Any unusual side effects, such as prolonged inflammation, severe pain, or a loose filling or crown, should be reported to Dr. Nordhus.

Preventing Further Infection

Good oral hygiene practices are essential to preventing reinfection after root canal therapy. Patients should brush and floss their teeth regularly. Biannual dental exams and cleanings are another crucial part of any oral health routine.

Contact Us

If you are suffering from a root canal infection, root canal therapy is the only effective way to save the tooth and restore oral health. To learn more about root canal therapy or treatment recovery, message our team or call (316) 721-6730 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Byron Nordhus.