After you’ve received root canal therapy, it’s important that you follow your dentist’s post-op care instructions so that you can be well on your way to recovery. Don’t worry—there’s nothing you have to do that’s too difficult to manage. There are just a few things you should keep in mind in order to protect the treatment site so you don’t set back your healing process.
While your dentist is sure to give you a take-home guide to follow, we thought it would be helpful to put together a simple list for anyone who’s wondering what to expect and how to prepare.
Watch What & How You Eat
Right after root canal treatment, you should avoid eating any foods that are hard or sticky. For example, gum and ice are no-gos. When you’re chewing, take care to chew on the opposite side of your mouth from where you got the root canal so you don’t disturb the treatment area.
Brushing & Rinsing
After your root canal, you can brush like normal but just be particularly careful around the treatment area. Additionally, you can rinse with warm salt water multiple times a day to remove any debris that might be stuck and gently clean your mouth.
Pain Management
As the numbing agent from your procedure starts to wear off, you might notice some slight discomfort from the treatment area. This is normal and should go away after a few days. To manage this, you can take over-the-counter pain medication, closely following the label’s instructions. If you feel like the pain is getting worse or not going away, reach out to your provider so they can assess the situation.
Do you have more questions about post-op care or about root canal therapy in general? Rockingham ProDental is happy to help! We provide a variety of restorative treatments along with preventive, cosmetic, and emergency dental care, so we’re always here to get you the answers you need. We look forward to hearing from you!
