Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After a Root Canal

No one wants to have a root canal, but this dental procedure can save your tooth and erase your pain. A root canal really isn’t as scary as it seems, but who wants to go through one again? Take care of your oral health after your root canal to prevent further problems. 

At Charlotte Root Canal Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ramesh K. Sunar, DMD, provides safe and painless root canal treatments that can restore your smile. 

When nerves inside your tooth are injured or become infected, a root canal removes the infection and eliminates your pain. To do this, Dr. Sunar removes the pulp that includes tissue and nerves inside the tooth. Caring for your teeth post-procedure is crucial to keeping your mouth healthy while speeding your recovery. 

To help you with your recovery, we’ve gathered some information about root canals and how you can exercise optimal care for your teeth and gums as you recover from the procedure. 

What to expect during a root canal 

You may worry that the root canal will hurt, but Dr. Sunar numbs the area around the problem tooth using a local anesthetic. He makes a small hole in the tooth to gain access to the pulp inside and then:

• Removes the pulp

• Cleans the inside of your tooth

• Fills in the space with a special material

• Seals up the hole in your tooth 

Depending on your unique situation, Dr. Sunar determines whether your tooth needs a crown to strengthen its structure. If it does, Dr. Sunar chooses a color and shape that matches your other teeth, so your crown looks natural. 

Managing pain and caring for your mouth post-treatment 

To help your mouth heal, avoid certain foods and beverages immediately after your root canal. You should not eat foods that are hot, spicy, crunchy, or chewy, and avoid drinking alcohol. 

Here are some other ways to care for your tooth: 

1. Wait for numbness to subside - Let the anesthetic wear off before trying to eat. We give you guidelines on what and when to eat. Eating before we recommend it can damage your tooth and even injure the tissues of your mouth. 

2. Seek help if there is swelling - If you notice swelling after the procedure, call us as soon as possible. Swelling could signal an infection or an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. Itching or hives associated swelling can present some discomfort. 

3. Uphold good oral hygiene - Brush and floss as you normally would after the procedure. If Dr. Sunar provides you with alternative care instructions, adhere to those guidelines strictly to speed up the recovery process. You should also resume your regular biannual appointments for dental cleanings and checkups. 

   Experiencing soreness or tenderness around your jaw is normal. If your pain is severe, you can treat it with over-the-counter pain medications. Talk to us if the pain becomes unmanageable or interferes with your day-to-day activities. 

If you’ve recently had a root canal and have concerns about caring for your teeth, call our office or book an appointment.