If you have an infected tooth, a root canal procedure is often the best way to stop the pain and prevent tooth loss and gum disease. Although more extensive than routine dental services, root canals can be completed in just one visit and with little to no pain involved. But while the bulk of the work will be done during your appointment, there are a few details you’ll need to know about the recovery period. Providing comprehensive general and cosmetic services to patients in the New Britain, CT, area, Gladstein Dental Center highlights important aspects of root canal recovery.

What to Know About Root Canal Recovery

Is Recovery Painful?

Topical anesthetics and sedatives will prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure, but once these medications wear off, you may experience some minimal discomfort. For example, the treatment area may swell or feel tender for a day or two after your appointment. You can usually manage these symptoms by taking over-the-counter pain relief medications and applying ice. If necessary, your dentist may provide you with a prescription pain reliever.   

How Should I Clean My Teeth?

Despite the possible soreness, you should be able to pick up your normal dental hygiene routine after your root canal. While you may want to be cautious about pressure, brushing and flossing regularly shouldn’t harm your recovery process.

What Should I Eat?

You should be able to resume normal eating habits after your root canal procedure. However, if your dentist applied a temporary crown to restore the tooth, you may need to adjust some practices until the permanent crown is placed. Specifically, you’ll want to avoid chewing on hard foods — such as nuts or seeds — with the side of the mouth that had the root canal. If too much pressure is placed on the temporary crown, the surface can crack.

Do I Need to See the Dentist After a Root Canal?

You’ll need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dentist ahead of time to make sure the root canal is healing properly. If everything looks as it should, the dentist will protect the tooth with a filling or a permanent dental crown.

Committed to providing comfortable family dentistry services, Gladstein Dental Center will help you feel confident about every stage of the root canal process. In addition to explaining the procedure with ease, Dr. Gladstein will also take time to ensure you’re set up for a successful and comfortable recovery. To schedule an exam, call this New Britain dental office at (860) 223-1162. You can also visit the clinic online to review the many other services they offer to help restore and protect teeth.