Keeping Root Canals Banal: How to Enjoy a Smooth Recovery

Root canals have allowed millions of people to avoid tooth loss after severe dental injuries or infections. While these procedures have a bad reputation, the truth is that they are completely painless and only involve a mild recovery period. Here’s what you should know about how root canal treatment works as well as a guide to keeping the recovery period afterward comfortable and complication-free.

What Is a Root Canal?

Every tooth consists of a protective layer of hard enamel on its surface, a porous layer of dentin beneath that, and soft pulp at the center. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerve endings, and, if a dental infection breaches the outer layers of dentin and enamel, this soft tissue will become infected, causing a severe and throbbing toothache.

To prevent this infection from destroying the tooth and spreading to the rest of the smile, a dentist may perform a root canal to remove the contaminated pulp, sanitize the inner dental chamber, and seal the tooth to prevent further infections. This can immediately end the miserable pain of a dental infection and prevent tooth loss, and the patient may receive a dental crown to restore the treated tooth’s strength and appearance. Root canals are only performed after the patient has received an appropriate anesthetic treatment to render the process painless.

What Is Recovering from a Root Canal Like?

Recovering from a root canal is quite mild and far more comfortable than living with a toothache. While you may experience some soreness or sensitivity in the treated tooth, this can be addressed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers and should disappear in the coming days. However, please contact your dentist if the pain seems to be getting worse, as this may be a sign of continuing infection.

The best way to ensure that your recovery goes smoothly is to strictly comply with your dentist’s postoperative instructions. You can expect to be told to abstain from eating anything or drinking anything hot until your anesthetic treatment has worn off, and it’s best to stick to softer foods for a few days afterward while avoiding chewing with the treated tooth. It’s also crucial to show up at your dentist’s office for any follow-up appointments as well as routine exams and cleanings so your dental health professional can make sure the tooth stays in good shape.

Your dentist will only recommend a root canal if it is absolutely necessary. By adhering to their postoperative instructions, you can avoid complications and have your smile feeling back to normal sooner.

About the Author

Dr. Shandy Condie earned her dental degree at the Creighton School of Dentistry and has trained at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Arizona Dental Association. Her office in Gilbert provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as root canal services. To learn more about what to expect after a root canal, contact her office online or dial (480) 279-3100.