Precautions You Need to Take Before and After a Root Canal
Root canal treatment has been synonymous with discomfort and pain for so many years. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. Modern dentistry and techniques have evolved so much that our dentist can treat root canal infections without causing you any discomfort or pain.
Root canal therapy has become a breath of fresh air to many people since it is carried out to save an infected tooth. However, if you have been scheduled to undergo the treatment, you most probably have some questions about the procedure. Some of the things that you might be wondering about are how do you prepare before undergoing a root canal and after root canal care?
So it is essential to equip yourself with the proper information since misinformation can lead to fear and unnecessary stress.
Preparing for a Root Canal Treatment
You don’t have much to do to prepare for your root canal therapy. In any case, you should always know what you need and how you can get the most from the procedure.
Therefore, you might need to do the following:
Get Enough Rest
So, before root canal therapy, ensure you are in good health. You don’t want to get treatment when you are under the weather. Getting a good night’s rest is essential since your immune system will need to be at its best to ensure the procedure and aid you in recovering much faster.
Discuss With Our Dentist
Have a lengthy discussion with our Phoenix dentist about the procedure’s details. Ask all your questions; don’t leave a stone unturned. Fear tends to loosen its grip when you have more information about the procedure. It is also during your visit that you will get to know how you can care for your teeth after the procedure.
Don’t Smoke
Tobacco products have lots of chemicals that are harmful to the body. Moreover, these chemicals will hinder the body from healing as it should. So, it is best if you don’t smoke about 12 hours before the procedure.
Don’t Drink Alcohol
Drinking alcohol hours before the procedure will affect the efficacy of the drugs used during treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
Eat a Few Hours Before the Procedure
Eating the correct foods will benefit you after the procedure since they are packed with the necessary nutrients to help you heal. However, since the procedure requires anesthesia, you might have to skip meals six hours before your procedure.
Have Someone Drive You Home
Anesthesia will be used during the procedure, meaning you will need some time to rest after the procedure. Depending on the type of anesthesia our dentist administered, you might still feel drowsy after the procedure. Therefore, you might need to contact a friend or a family member and ask them to tag along with you since they will drive you back home.
What Should You Do After a Root Canal?
Proper oral care is critical after a root canal to reduce the chances of reinfection.
Can We Use a Toothbrush After the Root Canal?
As mentioned earlier, you will need to practice proper oral care, which means you must brush your teeth twice daily and floss once. You must keep the area clean, but aggressive brushing will not help since you will put too much pressure on the treated area.
Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the tooth. Then you can floss, but don’t force the tooth floss between the teeth.
Can We Use Mouthwash After the Root Canal Treatment?
Bacteria will always take advantage when you don’t clean your teeth. So, besides regular cleaning, you can use an antiseptic mouthwash to ensure that your mouth is bacteria-free.
Plan Your Meals Carefully
The treated area will be sore, painful, and swollen, so you must plan your meals to make your recovery swift and bearable. So, you should wait for the anesthesia to wear off before you eat anything. Avoid foods that require a lot of chewing. Look for soft, nutritious foods such as soups, smoothies, and mashed potatoes.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking will hinder or slow down healing. Therefore, you should avoid smoking no less than 24 hours after the procedure.
Get Plenty of Rest
Rest is vital for recovery. So, get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activities for a couple of days. Plenty of rest will speed up your recovery.
Swelling, pain, and soreness are a part of recovery. However, you will need to check how you are progressing and if the symptoms are getting better. If there’s a dental issue, you can contact us at All Smiles Dental Care, and we would love to help you.