Root Canal Treatment Aftercare

If you are among the people who have received root canal therapy, then you might probably wonder what you can do to keep your teeth safe and healthy.

Fortunately, most cases of a root canal are absolutely fine if one continues to practice good oral health and see their dentist regularly.

Despite the efficacy and safety of root canals, it’s important to understand what can go wrong years after root canal treatment. Read this guide to learn how to recognize the signs of a failed root canal and maintain teeth treated with a root canal.

Does a Root Canal Need Maintenance?

Yes. Root canals need maintenance, and one should care for a root canal-treated tooth like any other tooth. After you get your root canal treatment from AVA Dentistry, our dentist gives you guidelines to follow to protect the treated tooth and the crown or filling. The guidelines include:

Brush and Floss Gently

Keeping this site clean after a root canal treatment is always important. However, if you brush aggressively, deal pulled too much stress on your treated area end dislodge the crown or filling. Instead, you should use a soft-bristled brush, clean the tooth gently, and then floss.

Ensure you’re not forcing the floss between the teeth. If the floss doesn’t slide between your teeth easily, ensure you contact your dentist. The crown or filling might need to be received to allow dental floss.

Eat Soft Foods

When you have a crown or a feeling after root canal therapy, it’s important to avoid crunchy and hard foods. These foods may dislodge the crown or filling and expose the nerves. Instead, soft foods are recommended after a root canal.

Foods such as soup offer the necessary nourishment without aggravating your treated tooth. The food you take should be lukewarm to prevent sensitivity.

Rinse Your Mouth

Cleanliness is important after a root canal procedure. Our Brantford family dentist will advise you to use salt water rinse several times a day for the first three days after your treatments, along with flossing and brushing.

The saltwater rinse should include half a teaspoon of table salt. And show you mix it with lukewarm water and rinse for several seconds. However, you shouldn’t rinse too vigorously; it can harm your tooth.

Listen to Your Dentist’s Instructions

Your dentist will give you care instructions following the root canal procedure. They would recommend different oral hygiene habits based on your restoration. For example, if you have lots of decay removed with the tooth, you might need to rinse instead of brushing for several days. You need to follow these instructions in the letter.

How Do I Know if My Root Canal Failed?

There are common warning signs of a failed root canal. They include:

Pain

Pain and discomfort are among the most obvious failed root canal symptoms. It can be a sharp pain or throbbing, dull ache. The pain might not hurt except when you bite down or release pressure on that site. The pain can start as soon as you’re numbing medication wears off, or it might develop days and weeks after your treatment.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity after a root canal treatment is not normal. If stimulation from something, such as a toothbrush or temperature changes, bothers your tooth, something is going on.

Your tooth shouldn’t feel anything after a root canal treatment because all your nerves have been removed. However, sensitivity is among the symptoms of a failed root canal that can tie back to secondary nerve canals that go unnoticed the first time.

Swelling

One should not experience anything more than some minor gum irritation after root canal therapy. Experiencing swollen gums can indicate an infection or a cyst down inside of the bone.

Also, if there’s a crack in the tooth, bacteria can enter the roots and effects the tissues around them. Ensure you check with your dentist In case of swelling. However, if the swelling spreads through the face or interferes with the airway, you need to go straight to the emergency room.

If you notice any symptoms of root canal failure, call or visit us at our dental clinic. We have treatment options that will quickly get you back on the path to oral health without extracting the affected tooth.