Managing Discomfort
- – Soreness usually responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers such Motrin or Aleve.
- – The discomfort should steadily improve over a few days. If pain increases or you develop swelling, call us.
Dentist in Mint Hill, NC
Root Canal Aftercare Instructions | Mint Hill Smiles
A root canal removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside your tooth and relieves the pain that brought you in.
It is normal to have some tenderness for a few days as the area settles. Here is how to care for the tooth while it heals.
Right After Your Root Canal
- – Wait until any numbness wears off before eating so you do not bite your cheek, lip, or tongue.
- – It is normal for the tooth and surrounding area to feel tender or sore for a few days, especially when chewing. This is the tissue around the tooth settling down, and it improves steadily.
- – Our doctors recommend 600mg of Motrin (3 over the counter tablets) to help manage inflammation and discomfort after a root canal.
- – If you were prescribed an antibiotic, keep taking it until it’s gone even if you feel better after a few days.
Protecting the Tooth Until It Is Restored
This is the most important part. After a root canal, a tooth becomes more brittle and is at risk of fracturing until it is permanently restored, usually with a crown.
- – Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your permanent restoration is placed.
- – If you have a temporary filling, avoid sticky foods that could pull it out and hard foods that could crack the tooth.
- – Do not delay your crown appointment. A tooth that fractures before it is crowned can sometimes be lost entirely, which means all the money you spent on your root canal will be wasted.
Eating
- – Stick to softer foods and chew on the opposite side until the tenderness passes and the tooth is permanently restored.
- – Avoid very hard or crunchy foods on that tooth.
When to Call Us
Call (704) 323-7577 if you have severe or increasing pain, swelling, the temporary filling comes out, or your bite feels high.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Mild to moderate tenderness for a few days, especially when chewing, is normal as the tissue around the tooth settles. It should steadily improve. Severe or increasing pain, or swelling, is not expected and should be reported to us.
A root canal leaves the tooth more brittle and prone to fracturing. A crown covers and protects the tooth so it can function normally for years. Skipping or delaying the crown puts the tooth at real risk of cracking and being lost.
Stick to softer foods and chew on the opposite side until the tenderness passes and your permanent crown is placed. Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods on the treated tooth.
Most tenderness resolves within a few days to about a week. The tooth is not fully protected until the permanent restoration is placed, so it is important to keep that follow-up appointment.
Wait until numbness wears off so you do not bite yourself. Then eat softer foods and avoid chewing directly on the treated tooth until it is permanently restored.
Call us at (704) 323-7577. The temporary filling protects the inside of the tooth between appointments, and it should be replaced promptly to keep the tooth clean and protected.
The procedure itself relieves the pain of an infected tooth and is done with local anesthetic, so it is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. The soreness people associate with root canals is usually the infection beforehand, not the treatment.
Questions after your appointment?
Call Mint Hill Smiles at (704) 323-7577. We are at 11300 Cresthill Drive, Suite 105, Mint Hill, NC 28227.