When dealing with severe dental decay when the cavity has reached the tooth’s pulp, a root canal treatment is often the first line of defense. In reality, it is not nearly as uncomfortable as the reputation would have you believe. With reputable providers such as those at San Ramon Dental Excellence, your only real experience of discomfort throughout the operation is the first anesthetic injection. Aside from that, the only pain you would experience throughout a root canal procedure is the dentist’s vibrations and pressure.
Carrying out the process is simple. Anesthesia is administered, and a hole is drilled into the tooth to reach the pulp. The next step is using a succession of files to scrape the pulp and nerves from the tooth’s interior. After filling the cavity, a dental crown is placed over the tooth, and the tooth is protected from future deterioration. Follow these guidelines to prepare sufficiently for a root canal.
1. Consult a medical professional
You should consult your dentist in detail before your scheduled visit to determine whether you may need pain medication after your procedure. If that is the case, getting your medicines filled in advance will save you time and stress on the day of the surgery.
Furthermore, having an infection might increase the discomfort of a root canal and the subsequent healing period. After a root canal, antibiotics help lessen the likelihood of getting an infection. The dentist may suggest antibiotics if necessary.
2. Before your visit, take a pain reliever
Expect some tenderness after a modern root canal operation, but not as much as in the past. If you have a root canal, you may lessen the pain you feel during and after the treatment by taking pain medication before the surgery. If you are experiencing tooth pain, you must talk to your dentist about what pain reliever would be best for you; our dentist can advise you on whether acetaminophen or ibuprofen would be more appropriate.
3. Don’t consume alcohol
For at least 24 hours before this therapy, abstaining from alcohol is recommended. In addition to making the treatment more difficult, alcohol may also dry out the mouth, which might cause further problems. Also, if you want to recuperate as quickly as possible following surgery, you should avoid alcohol.
4. Avoid smoking
Quitting smoking before and after surgery will speed up the recovery process. Protect the freshly restored tooth with a damp cotton ball if smoking is unavoidable.
5. Get plenty of rest the night before and the night of.
Getting some shut-eye is ideal for rejuvenation. Since most of the “repairs” occur while the patient is sleeping, you must get enough sleep in the days following their treatment.
6. Have a meal before your scheduled visit
Root canal therapy always begins with a full-mouth numbing. That makes it tough to eat when treatment is done. Get a good lunch before your root canal so you can kick back and take it easy afterward.
Dentists are trained to put patients at ease, so don’t be shy about voicing any concerns you may have about the procedure. While getting ready for an invasive approach is never enjoyable, you may increase your chances of a positive outcome by following the advice above. If you are experiencing dental issues, you must immediately see a highly trained dentist.
