A root canal procedure required us to work with the tooth nerve which lies deep inside the roots of your tooth or teeth. After leaving our office, please follow the below instructions of care to help reduce problems and discomfort.
CHEWING: Do not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth wears off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue. Do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored with a crown or bridge by your dentist. (Most root canals require that a crown be done on the tooth following the completion of the root canal.) Before the numbness is gone, take whatever over-the-counter medication you would take for a headache. You many continue taking this medication, as directed, for a couple of days, if necessary.
SORENESS: Frequently, you will have soreness on the tooth or teeth we treated for a few days. If this soreness does not disappear within two weeks, please contact our office.
HOME CARE: Be sure to brush twice each day and floss once per day. If the opening in your tooth was restored with a temporary filling material, it is not unusual for a thin layer to wear off in-between appointments. However, if you think the entire filling has come out, contact our office.
PROBLEMS: Contact us if you develop any of the following:
- a visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth;
- an allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction);
- a return of original symptoms;
- your bite feels uneven.
FUTURE: Typically following a root canal, most teeth require a crown or bridge for strength and protection. It is extremely important that you complete this treatment as recommended. After a root canal, the tooth typically becomes very brittle and discolored. If not covered and protected, this treated tooth could easily break requiring it to be removed. Not only would you lose your tooth but also your investment to save that tooth.